So, lets be serious, we all love design remodel shows. The transformation is beautiful in the end and the journey toward the finished room is fascinating to watch, especially when it helps us to learn something new, or when we’d like to do a similar project. These shows are great and are wonderful for design inspiration, but I see too many times that the homeowner called the tv crew because they had a contractor that performed below expectations. You know the drill: homeowner shows home audience a problem in their home, show host pokes and examines the problem area, and announces a conclusion which is usually a list of things the contractor should or should not have done. Some of the mistakes pointed out even put the safety of the residents at risk! You do not want this story to be your story. Have a happy remodel, so that all you’ll be worrying about is the dust.
When you’re planning a remodel job, whether your entire house or just the tub, tile and vanity in the bathroom, homeowners want to be able to trust the contractors and tradesmen who are doing the work. Poor quality work can lead to many problems such as leaks, cracking tile or walls, creaking or uneven flooring. These problems are definitely not desired after you had just paid a considerable amount of money having the project done, only to have to pay someone else to redo it, fixing the mistakes. To be sure your next home improvement project goes smoothly, Angie’s List – a company who rates other companies online based on customer experiences and review – recommends getting at least three bids for your job. Ask three different contractors to give you a quote for the work, that way you can be sure you’re paying a fair price. Ideally all of the bids should be in the same vicinity. Cheaper is not always better. If a bid is considerably lower than the other two, ask yourself… why. Does this contractor use cheap products, is he inexperienced?
Be sure to check that all contractors you’re researching have their proper licensure for your state and company insurance that covers any injuries that may happen on the job. The last thing you want to hear is that you hired a non-licensed, uninsured worker.
Once you’ve chosen a contractor, negotiate a very detailed contract. As a designer, in my experience with contracts, I’ve found that you can never be too specific. Basically, pretend that the other party of the contract knows absolutely nothing, and you have to spell out every step in detail. This is not meant to offend, but rather to be sure the homeowner’s expectations are met by the contractor, and it also gives the contractor a list of tasks that he is responsible for.
Lastly, don’t avoid talking about the budget. It helps the contractor plan the project scope and material selections to fit to the budget, and saves you the surprise of a huge bill you were not expecting. It saves everyone stress and time to be honest about it from the start.
Jacque Link is the featured contributor for the boutique store here and at UniqueMirrorsOnline.com.