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Evaluating a remodeler’s work

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY
By Bill Delorey

Given the price of homes on Cape Cod and the costs and hassles of moving, many homeowners make the decision to modify an existing residence instead of selling and finding another. In response to changes in family size and/or lifestyle, a homeowner may want to alter the family residence, and this usually requires hiring a builder or remodeling contractor.

Renovating or adding to a residence includes financial and quality choices, as well as emotional ones. The question emerges: How does a homeowner decide which contractor to use? The answer: Evaluate a contractor’s work and find one who produces the quality the homeowner desires at reasonable price.

But the average homeowner with no remodeling experience might not understand how to evaluate that quality. Evaluating a builder or remodeling contractor’s work at different stages of construction–both rough and finish—requires multiple visits to an in-progress project. See how the building comes together as a complete unit. Make sure the builder won’t “hide” any framing problems with trim later. Talk to the builder about the job, even the problem areas. The contractor may have good reasons for why and how a problem occurred and is corrected, and when he agrees to explain those areas, this illustrates the contractor is easy to work with. The answers indicate a pride in his work–that he is not trying to deny some areas need attention. No builder or remodeling contractor is perfect, but the ability to recognize and correct minor problems is a sign of a quality-conscious contractor.

Keep in mind the intent of the builder when evaluating his work. If the project is matching “old” work, the intent might be to make new work look old, so joints or finish might seem to lack quality, but in truth it is a function of design and intent and often much harder to achieve. This, too, signals a first-class builder.

Much of the work a homeowner sees during remodeling is completed by subcontractors. The subcontractors a lead contractor chooses reflect the quality of the finished product the lead contractor expects. Check the general condition of the site. If it’s clean and organized, the waste pile is controlled—instead of all over the site—and ongoing construction appears neat and professional, this indicates the general contractor selects subcontractors who take pride in their work.
During the open-frame stage, look for clean, tight joints, straight and true lines in the carpentry, plumb and level lines in the structure, vertical and horizontal runs with neatly bundled wiring on electrical rough-in, and neat solder joints and glue connections on rough plumbing, with parallel waste and supply lines.

Later, as the project closes and the decorative stage begins, inspect the fit and finish on the trim and the plumbing and electrical fixtures, check the way the mounting flanges match the walls and ceiling, with no gaps. Make sure the carpentry joints fit tightly and need no filler. Check the cabinets to see whether the contractor chose stock-built cabinets or custom cabinets. This decision is often left to the homeowner, who frequently opts for stock cabinetry because of price—stock cabinetry is usually less costly. Stock-built cabinets are often good quality, but custom cabinets add the visual appeal of true fit, with no seams or spacers, and configuration choices that don’t exist with stock-built units.

Each of these choices indicates whether the contractor holds quality and professionalism above or at least equal to the profit line. When a homeowner finds someone who meets these guidelines, that contractor will generally provide a quality product the homeowner can enjoy.

Once a homeowner inspects and evaluates a contractor’s work in progress and finds quality that suits the task, the homeowner should ask the contractor to price the job. The final step: Work with the contractor to price a project that suits the budget and meets the family requirements.

Evaluating Workmanship

At the rough stage:
• Foundation level, square and true, with clean lines and no bulging.
• Framed walls straight, plumb and level, without bowed studs. Bowed lumber should be cut into shorts and cripples. Roof appears flat across the entire rake and run, with little buckling, crowning or bowing.
• Door and window frame joints fit tightly, square and true.
• Tight runs and neatly bundled wiring. Supports installed for heavy fixtures that mount later.
• Vertical plumbing runs plumb and parallel, and horizontal runs parallel and pitched for drainage. Cross-support for the fixture’s rough mount.
• Soldered and glued joints neat and clean, without bubbles and drips.

At the finish stage:
• Finish trim clean and tight to the walls, without the “wood-fattening” that indicates trim edge does not fit the walls properly. Note: “Wood-fattening” occurs sometimes when the walls are not flat. Watch for this condition as well, and don’t fault the carpenter.
• Doors swing level and hang plumb, without gaps between the door and jamb when shut. Doors remain static at any point in the opening swing.
• Windows open and shut easily, but remain tight to weather-stripping.
• Mitered joints fit tightly on door, window and floor trim. Watch for “caulked” miter joints, which indicate poor craftsmanship. Caulked and filled joints may later shrink and crack, creating unsightly finish.
• Electrical switch and plug plates sit plumb, level and tight to the walls. Lighting fixtures mount flush on walls and ceiling.
• Plumbing fixtures fit neat and tight against sinks, tubs and floor. Fixtures appear level and parallel to walls and floor.
• Cabinet doors hang square to openings and fit tightly against face frames. Drawers sit level across the front and run smoothly on tracks when opening and closing. Drawers remain open, but close easily with a slight push.

A general contractor since 1979, Bill Delorey designed and built custom homes and renovations in California and several other states for more than 20 years, in addition to running his own cabinet shop for more than 10 years. He lives in Brewster and writes about the building industry and environmental protection.

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