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25 TIPS FOR STRESS-FREE REMODELING © RemodelWrights Corp. #1: Develop a Master Plan for your home prior to doing any remodeling, so that you don't preclude any future opportunities because of short-sighted planning. #2: Ask potential remodelers for five references of people who have had similar projects like yours done in the last few years. When you receive those, ask for the last five jobs that were done with start dates and completion dates. This will help you to verify that the contractor is currently busy, and that they are financially stable. Check with these customers and ask them what they liked most about the contractor or architect. Ask the references if they are friends or relatives. Ask them what they didn't like about working with the contractor or architect. Ask them if they would use them again for a similar project. If they are satisfied and would use them again, ask to see some recent projects that are similar to your project. If you are pleased with the finished project, then you probably have found the right person. #3: Contractors are required to be registered in Rhode Island. To confirm if a contractor is registered and to see if they have any claims against them, call the Rhode Island Contractors Registration Board at 401-222-1268. Remember, if your contractor isn't registered, you can't file a claim with the board if there is a problem with the job. #4: Try to find a remodeler who has been certified by one of the trade organizations. These certifications are: CGR (Certified Graduate Remodeler), NAHB Remodelors Council: (p. 202-822-0387) C.R. (Certified Remodeler): NARI (p.703-575-1100) and CKD (Certified Kitchen Designer): NKBA (p.908-852-0033). #5: Don't even think of using a contractor who doesn't have at least five years experience running a remodeling business. It is impossible to gain the necessary experience in less time. #6: Don't choose a contractor because of things that don't matter much, such as: They live in your neighborhood. He or she goes to the same church as you. They belong to the same club. Their children are on the same team as your son or daughter. These factors don't establish that they are good at what they do, no matter how nice a person they might be. #7: If you are having a hard time getting through to a contractor before the job starts, imagine how difficult it would be after the job is completed and you have a problem! Watch out for contractors who "screen" their phone calls. If there are problems on your job, they will probably screen out your phone calls! #8: A remodeling project involves many disruptions and stresses to your lifestyle. If you feel any friction between you and the architect or the contractor, find someone that you feel comfortable with prior to signing any contracts! #9: Your biggest assurance of having a contractor stand behind the job is choosing a contractor that has a good reputation in your local community. It takes years to develop a good reputation and only a few bad jobs to ruin it. If the contractor doesn't have a good reputation, he or she has little to lose when problems occur during your job. #10: Don't fall for sales gimmicks. What you want is to deal with a professional remodeling contractor who will be up front with you and give you a fair price. But you also want the contractor to earn a fair profit for his or her work- remember, you get what you pay for. #11: If you are going to be choosing a contractor on price, then make sure that you are comparing "Apples to Apples." This requires a detailed set of blueprints with complete specifications. Also remember, you are buying a service as well as a product! #12: If you are going to use a design/build firm, make sure that they have both the design expertise needed for your project as well as the production capabilities to handle your project in a timely manner. #13: Guard against Change Orders. Many contractors believe that the way to get jobs is to underbid a job and then make up for it with Change Orders once the project has begun. There are only a few instances when Change Orders are justified, such as adding a skylight that isn't in the plans or specifications. You must carefully review all plans and specifications to ensure that Change Orders will be minimized. #14: Consider using a Time & Materials Contract for your project. This system ensures that you pay for what you get without price gouging. #15: Make sure that everything that has been promised or discussed is clearly defined in both the written Contract Specifications and the Plans. If not, insist that the Plans and/or Contract be amended to reflect these items. Include a start and finish date in the contract. #16: Have copies of all of the required insurance sent to you prior to starting any large projects. These must include Worker's Compensation Insurance as well as a Comprehensive Contractors Liability Policy that will cover injuries, product theft and damage caused by the contractor during the project. Also remember, the contractor's insurance will not provide any coverage for poor workmanship. #17: Insist on getting Lien Releases for all subcontractors on the project and for materials purchased for the project. If you pay your contractor and they are not able to pay the subcontractors or vendors they can and will place a lien on your property, and you will have to pay them all over again. Consider paying the subcontractors and vendors directly to eliminate problems. #18: Make sure that your payments correspond with the job progress. Hold back at least 5% of the contract amount as a final payment! Don't make a final payment until all items on the final punch-list are completed. #19: If you are doing a "Cost-Plus" type of remodeling project, insist that the workday starts and ends upon arrival and departure from your house. Insist that the carpenters sign-in at the job site and sign in and out for lunch. Lumberyards offer free delivery service so insist that the contractor has materials delivered rather than go to the lumberyard to pick them up. There are exceptions such as going to the lumberyard to handpick the trim materials. The occasional lumberyard trip is expected but make sure that you allow only two trips a week. If they need to go more, they should pay for those trips because obviously, they are not properly anticipating future material needs properly. #20: Assign an area for the contractor to keep their tools and equipment. Remove all of your personal tools, ladders, brooms, etc. from this area. The contractor should be using their own tools. #21: Make sure that your architect and or contractor keeps an up-to-date job schedule posted at the job site during the project so you can see if they are running on schedule. #22: Develop a communication system for discussing the job with your contractor and stick with it. Nothing bothers a carpenter more than having a homeowner watch them work and interrupt them randomly during the day. Discuss the job first thing in the morning, if possible, since this gives you the night to review what they have accomplished during the day. #23: On a project that involves major tear-out and disruption, consider moving out during at least the early portion of the project. It might seem like a hassle at first, but you'll probably be glad you did in the long run. Even the best contractors are somewhat limited in what they can do to make your home livable when they are in the middle of rebuilding it. In any case, insist that the contractor keep the work area sealed off from the rest of the house during construction by using polyethylene sheets or one of the sealing doors made for this purpose. It is also wise to have a good air filter running in the adjoining areas during the project to capture the dust particles that make their way into the living areas. Remember that much of the dust contains some very unhealthy materials including lead, asbestos and fiberglass. #24: Contractors are not baby sitters or pet sitters. Keep children and pets away from the job site, period! Job sites are dangerous places, and the fewer distractions to the carpenters the more efficiently your project will run. #25: Notify your insurance agent to increase the coverage of your homeowner's policy to include the added value to your house that the remodeling will cause. Typically materials are the property of the contractor until they are attached to the house. In the situation where your house burns down during construction, the windows that are stored in the garage but haven't been installed yet will typically be covered by your contractor's insurance policy. If they have been attached to the house, then your homeowner's insurance policy will have to cover the loss. Confirm this in your contract with your contractor. By following these simple guidelines, you'll have confidence in your decisions, and you should find that your contractor will efficiently design and construct your dream remodeling job with a minimum of hassles. Not only will your remodeling project be stress-free, you might actually find that it's fun! |
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This page copyrighted by RemodelWrights® Corp. 2002 |
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