Steps to Success and Warning Signs
Finding a good, reliable contractor for your remodeling project is a
task in itself.
Dan Cord and Craig Nelson wanted to remodel a Victorian they had purchased
for a steal in San Francisco. They started looking for contractors by
calling Yellow Page ads and asking friends, their Realtor and a neighbor
who
had similar work done. After settling on 10 possibilities, they set up one
day for interviews. "When the big interview day came," says Craig, "only
three showed up! That took care of some of the decision-making right
there."
The couple had a $50,000 budget and was meticulous in every possible
contracting detail. They had worked on a few homes before and were quite
experienced with the process. The start date, ending date, who would get
the
permits and what materials the contactor was to provide were standard
items
in the contract. They also negotiated expenses and labor costs to the
penny
with no room for changes or mistakes. "The job was completed on time and
under budget, with no cost surprises," says Dan.
Friendly Referrals Are Not Always the Answer
Dan and Craig were so happy, they referred the contractor to a friend who
tells a much different story about the same contractor. "It started out
okay," says Bill Burns, a retired professional. "But there was a lot of
discomfort along the way. The contractor came out and made complex
suggestions that would have made my $10,000 budget balloon to about
$25,000," says Burns. "The job dragged along, with missed deadlines,
misunderstandings and in the end the guy handed me a bill for an extra
$1,100 saying the remodel on the closet cost more than he expected."
Burns, like many first-time remodelers, didn't have the experience, energy
or the chutzpah to demand the same spell-it-out-in-every-last-detail
contract. Moreover, Burn's job was significantly smaller than Dan and
Craig's, with most of the expense in low mark up materials with only a
modest sum in labor. "I always felt like he just wasn't interested,"
recalls
Burns, "because the money wasn't there." Burns was wise to take a referral
but not that one. He could have saved himself a lot of headaches by doing
a
bit more research before hiring the first contractor to come along.
Searching Right the First Time
Start by making mental notes of the improvements and follow up with a
worksheet that details your needs and budget. Be certain to highlight any
item that may cost extra or be a special problem for you or your
contractor.
Try to accumulate a large referral list. Start with online referrals, the
local phone book and by asking experienced friends or those who have had
work on a similar budget. When you have a top ten, call the Better
Business
Bureau or local consumer agencies and check with the state licensing board
to see their standing. This will narrow the choices. Then call your top
three and proceed with prepared questions:
a.. Have you done any jobs like mine recently?
b.. Is this a budget you are used to working with?
c.. Do you want this job?
d.. Will it cost less or be easier if I pick up the materials? (Small
jobs)
e.. Do you give written warranties?
f.. Will this job require a permit?
g.. My budget is $5,000. Can I get what I want for that amount of money?
Red Flags: Some Early Warning Signs
a.. Doesn't have a contractor's license to show you or a
license
number on the business card
a.. Had to call more than once to set up the appointment
a.. Doesn't show up and calls you late to reschedule
a.. Says he is very busy but you will be worked in
a.. Says he only does big jobs but will try just for you
a.. Seems unfamiliar with what you are talking about or
dismisses your point of view
a.. Starts puffing up the job needs right away
a.. Seems slick - you are uncomfortable or you have a bad
feeling
a.. Offers no physical address
a.. Does not offer referrals of satisfied customers
a.. Says you don't need a contract - likes to work informally
a.. Can't quote actual costs and says he will work hourly
until
the job is done
a.. Says you don't need permits - this is usually nonsense
Take your time making up your mind. Don't be swayed by fancy chat or good
looks. Don't get personally involved or let your emotions take over. You
will be very unhappy for a long time with a poor choice and in the end,
you
will pay the bills. So a good decision now will give you peace of mind and
that is worth a fortune.
For these and more tips for homeowners, visit
http://www.easley-realty.com.
Jess Easley provides advice on real estate for the Flower Mound, Highland
Village and Lewisville areas.
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