Home Remodeling Tips for Homeowners – an Experts Advice
It is normal for couples to have different levels of interest and involvement in the home improvement they are considering, but they must have the same goals moving forward during the process. As a team you need to understand there may be some daily inconveniences in your lifestyles ahead as the construction work is in progress and the tradesmen are working in your house. You must also help your family cope with any temporary unexpected construction events or delays that may occur. At this time your family should have agreed that at the end of the estimate process a joint decision will be made to proceed with the planned home improvement. An experienced contractor can sense how sincere you are about having the improvements done and if you don’t appear to be a prospective customer the contractor will immediately loose interest. I am a construction project manager and have been in the building industry for over 35 years. I have learned almost as much about people and personalities as I have about the many ways to apply proven building techniques to deliver the best finished product value to my customers.
Today’s homeowners take a different approach when shopping for home improvements and building materials than past generations. They first search the internet online for information, designs/layouts, products and ideas before they meet with contractors or visit home centers or showrooms to purchase products or services. As the homeowner and buyer you should generally understand the scope of work for the project and how the contractor will perform the job ahead. Where will you start to look for a qualified remodeling contractor? Will you search online advertisements and newspaper ads, neighbor, family or friends recommendations? Which ever you choose be prepared for some frustration in contacting and making appointments with contractors, so I would suggest try to make at least five contacts to get started. While searching for qualified reliable builders & remodeling contractors and many consumers have a common complaint that a contractor doesn’t call back or didn’t show up on time for the estimate or came for the estimate and never called back with a price. There is no one explanation why this happens but maybe a combination of; inexperience, reliability, contractor not organized, job too small or too big, busy with other work or they has no interest in building your project.
Homeowners do some research on the contractors. Don’t just ask for a reference list of names and numbers from the contractor. Get the contractors home address and drive by to see what his personal property looks like. Ask for job photos, names with addresses of past projects completed and present jobs under construction. Selecting dependable contractors for estimates is not so easy if you are cold calling from an advertisement or discount coupon. As a contractor I have tried many forms of advertising and stayed away from coupons or printed discounts as there are no two jobs alike so the discount offer is usually hard to actually identify in your pricing to the customer. I have found that radio advertising works best for this type of business as to show the contractors good faith and reputation as it is broadcasted throughout your community. As you read the advertisements or listen to the contractor talking, pay attention to the phrases in the ads or contractors famous quotes like:
1. Free Estimates? – This means is exactly what it says, a free price quote given to you and it may only be a verbal estimate, not written. It does Not mean Free Design or Plans. Expect to pay a fee for this or apply a deposit for the job.
2. No Job Too Big or Small?- This is a famous quote for a handyman starting out in business willing to do anything to survive.
3. Powerwashing, Odd Jobs, Painting, Driveway Sealing, Haul Away Service, Kitchens & Baths, Additions?? Clearly this should not be a choice for you to consider if you are doing a major home improvement.
4. “NO PROBLEM”?? Who is this “no problem” for, the contractor to do at an additional charge or for you not to be satisfied.
5. BBB? – What does this Better Business Bureau really mean? From my experience it means that the contractor has paid a yearly membership fee to the BBB so he can use these symbols in his advertisements. This credential is basically worthless to use to qualify the contractors ability and workmanship.
6. Ask for Our Senior Citizens Discount? – The second you ask for it they will add on 10% before they give you the estimate. Again, in home improvement work the majority of the price is labor and variable from contractor to contractor, it is hard for a homeowner to understand the % of discount off of a price that he has made.
7. “I did one like this for Mrs. Jones down the street” – You don’t care about Mrs. Jones! You like vanilla, she likes chocolate.
8. Already Working in Your Neighborhood? Don’t totally depend on a neighbor’s recommendation as your expectations may be different than theirs. This is ok if he has completed jobs in your neighborhood.
9. Fully Insured? What is “Fully”? is it his car insurance?, Health insurance? Make sure that the contractor has significant property & liability insurance for the work he will perform. On a large project the contractor should be bonded to guaranty completion of work if he defaults. Also check for workers compensation so in the event of a personal injury to a worker you are not liable.
10. Financing Available? – You will get better rates finding your own funding for the project.
11. All Work Guaranteed? – By who? Get it in writing!
12. Remodeling Our Specialty? – What else should it be
13. Commercial & Residential Work? – What does this really mean, if he has an emergency on a commercial job he is going to leave you hanging? I never understood why remodelers use this phrase in their advertisements, I guess it makes them feel to be a bigger company than they are. If a commercial business is looking for a contractor they won’t be looking for a home remodeler.
14. “My men won’t be at your house today “?? – Why not? Ask him how will he make the time up that is lost for that day and will they be back tomorrow?
15. “My men won’t be working on Thursday or Friday but they will work on Saturday & Sunday”?? Why? Unless you have an agreement with the remodeler that it is ok to work on weekends don’t agree to this. Most likely he has started another job and is pushing your job behind.
Sound confusing, of course it does. It is up to you to sort thru the contractors you interview to reach a decision. Notice I mention “interview”, this is what it’s all about. You and your spouse must interview the contractor first then decide if you trust him or her working in your home, never ignore your gut feeling, most of the time it is right. So what will trigger you to make that final decision of who gets the job? Will it be low price? Design, Ideas or Plans? A friend of yours? Value of total product installed? The contractor’s ability? Recommendation? The contractors personality? His ability to understand your wants and needs? If you ask most consumers they will say of course it was for all of these reasons.
Making the Final Choice – Choosing a Contractor
After all of your price estimates are in now is the time to narrow the choices of contractors to who you are seriously considering for the job. The final part of this process will be you refining your questions about design details, materials and prices from each candidate and asking for more substantial information about their company policies and procedures. Communicate all of you objectives with the contractor before the start. Put together one more checklist with your spouse and discuss any last concerns before you call the contractors back for the final interview. Here is a list of final questions and documents you need to make your decision.
1. Building Permits – does the price include all required permits and who will submit to the local building dept.?
2. Who is responsible for a C/O – Certificate of Occupancy Permit.
3. Site Survey, if required who is responsible to supply?
4. Proof of Contractors local or state licensing.
5. Final Contract – get a total price, clearly identified with deposit required for start. A phased progress payment plan, project schedule, project duration and firm completion date.
6. List of services that may not be included in price or extra cost like; demolition, cleanup, debris removal, painting, fixtures, matching of existing materials or finishes.
7. Project Specifications, a written set of specs tailored for your project, listing brands of materials, types of material and all details.
8. Plans – a set of working plans for construction and to submit for permits.
9. Contingency Clauses for existing conditions, extra work cost defined before starting.
10. Insurance Certificates, proof of workers compensation and property damage insurance.
11. Excavation, the contractor must give notice and call all utility companies for site mark out of existing underground utilities before excavations.
12. Contact phone numbers of all subcontractors that will be on site and emergency contacts.
13. Access to the property, special times, keys, alarm codes, etc.
14. Approved work times of day and weekend rules.
15. Does the contractor have salaried steady employees working for him or subcontractors?
16. Who will supervise the project and how often will he visit the site? Who will actually do the work in your home?
17. Protection and dust control to existing occupied areas of the house.
18. Written warranty on labor and materials.
19. How many jobs will they be working on at the same time as yours?
20. Building Materials, who will accept deliveries made to site and where will they be stored? Are you supplying garage space?
21. Where will workers park their vehicles during work hours? Will a company vehicle be parked at your home 24/7? Are workers allowed to use the facilities of you home restroom, phone, water, etc. are contractors signs allowed on your property during construction.
Here is a list of items you should be prepared to answer and information for you to supply to the contractor.
1. Contact phone numbers for members of your family, next door neighbor’s phone numbers in case of emergency.
2. Agree on a start date and do your part to be ready on that day.
3. Be prepared to make minor decisions promptly concerning your project and specify only you and your spouse may do so.
4. Have the funds readily available for deposit and payments. Pay promptly as agreed on the schedule of payments.
5. Before construction starts arrange a walk thru with the supervisor and foreman to note and take pictures of any existing exterior or interior property damage.
6. Understand what existing areas of your home may be disturbed or accessed by workers and remove all items from those rooms.
7. Be prepared for unpredictable or unforeseen circumstances like weather delays, existing hidden conditions in your home like water or termite damage, structural failures, cracks in foundations, etc.
8. How will existing areas of your home be temporary protected during construction – roof, walls, gutters, drainage, electric circuits, etc.
9. List dates of any special events you have planned to celebrate at your residence like; a holiday party, birthday parties, new born baby, outdoor BBQ, weddings, graduation, etc.
10. Agree with the contractor how he will deal with complaints or misunderstandings with workers or workmanship issues on site.
11. Health issues, do any family members have life support equipment, medical disabilities, impairments, or allergies that the contractor and his crew should be aware of?
There are still many decisions and choices ahead for you to answer during construction but the more homework you do the less stressful it will be. Now, if you survived all the qualifying and made it this far, it’s time to stop shopping and make the purchase. Open your checkbook, sign the contract and let’s get started with your new home improvement.
