Are you tired of cooking in a cramped kitchen with avocado green appliances? Do you envision yourself in a gourmet kitchen, complete with custom cabinetry, granite countertops and large windows?
As a contractor and co-owner of a full-service construction company, I field many calls from homeowners looking to improve and update their properties. Although most remodeling projects are neither simple nor quickly done, the finished project can be very satisfying and greatly improve your quality of life. Following are some guidelines that can assist you in preparing for a remodeling project.
1 Create your remodel plan
List all the work you want to have done, along with how much you can afford to spend. Talk with your spouse and family members and listen to everyone’s ideas with an open mind. Once the work list is complete, prioritize so that the most important improvement projects are listed first.
Establish your budget: Remember to be realistic – you may not be able to afford every item on your work list. Now it’s time to determine exactly how much you can afford to spend. During this budget process, consider carefully how each item on your work list will affect your home’s value. Also, remember to factor in an additional 10-15% of your total budget to cover any unforeseen added expenses. It is not the contractor’s fault, nor financial responsibility, if your old bathtub leaked for years and created rotted sub-flooring underneath.
2 Choose a Contractor
Building and remodeling both require experience, knowledge, and problem-solving skills, so look beyond the dollar amount. Some questions to ask contractors are: Is he or she licensed by the state where the work will be done? Is there proper insurance coverage? Is he or she a member of local and state building associations? Does the contractor have an office staff to answer your calls or will you be leaving messages and waiting to be called back? Can the contractor provide references of recent customers, and a detailed proposal at no charge? Will the work be guaranteed, and for how long? Be patient while waiting for the detailed proposals, especially if the work involves plumbing and electrical. Many contractors will bid out work to subcontractors, and cannot give you a completed proposal without all this necessary information.
3 Scrutinize your contract before signing
Most contractors use a firm price, with allowances for certain extras. Be sure that the work listed is detailed, and includes all labor, materials and clean up. The final amount should be within your budget, and the timetable one you are comfortable with. Make sure that the payment schedule is reasonable: most reputable contractors require only a 10-15% good-faith down payment, with additional payments to follow as the work progresses.
4 Keep thorough records
Keep all documents related to your project together and in a safe place. This includes the contract, insurance certificates, building and site plans, invoices, receipts and any other correspondence. Making a note of all phone calls will avoid any misunderstandings later.
5 Be realistic about the construction phase
Although each remodel job is different, all share typical work zone elements: nail guns, drills and saws are loud and create a lot of dust. Workers and delivery trucks will be coming and going all day. Prepare your family for the temporary disruption that building projects create, and be realistic in your expectations. Construction remodeling is not a perfect process; things can, and occasionally do, go wrong. But if you have chosen an experienced and savvy contractor, problem solving should be taken care of in a timely manner.
6 Sit back and enjoy the transformation
Don’t try to micro-manage the workers. You are spending your hard-earned money to have a general contractor manage the project for you. If you are not happy with something, or have a question as to why workers are or are not doing something, call your contractor. Many different talented workers will be coming together to perform specific jobs, and you are paying for their time and expertise. Don’t interrupt their work unnecessarily – asking questions or trying to direct them may end up costing you more money. If you decide that you want to make a change to the original work order, understand that changes will increase both the time and expense of your project. It is best to be certain of the work you want done, and keep to the original contract as much as possible.
Once the work is complete, and the jobsite is cleaned up, have a final walk-through with your contractor. This is your opportunity to examine the quality of work and ensure that you are satisfied. Having your home remodeled will give you a newfound respect and appreciation for your home, as well as the contractor who attended to all of the details and made your dream a reality.
