Would you hire your cousin to perform a root canal, or offer to perform routine surgery your neighbor? Maybe, if your cousin is a dentist and you’re a surgeon, but certainly not if between you, you’d just seen a YouTube Video and could pick up the tools at the store! So why is it, in the age of internet knowledge, pinterest, and low cost home improvement stores on every corner, that many a frugal homeowner, places their trust in anyone with a hammer? By basing the decision making process on finding the cheapest estimate rather than the capabilities of the contractor, in-cognizant homeowners shell out thousands in unforeseen costs every year solely due to poor planning. So here are a few myths we’ve exposed to help you find the right contractor for your home.
Myth #1 Contractors don’t give written estimates. This may seem like common knowledge, but many homeowners assume that because contractor’s daily business attire is unconventional so should their business practices be — which is false. There are many builders who have educations both in business and in construction. A good contractor will provide you with a written estimate that outlines in detail the scope of the project. As a homeowner it provides you with the knowledge to ensure that competing estimates include the same processes, and also ensures that your contractor is quoting you properly. Improper quoting by a contractor can often lead to cut rate work, unfinished projects and even legal disputes.
Myth #2 Contractors never finish projects on time. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible for a contractor to finish a project on time. A contractor who has experience completing commercial projects can be a good indicator that they know how to be punctual, but they should also have a plan. A contractor’s plan, different from an estimate, should include the order and date in which each task will be completed. Developing a plan for your specific project can be an arduous task and many contractors may hesitate to prepare such a document for the proposal process. However, they should be able to show you an example of a project similar to yours for which a plan was developed and executed successfully. Failure to plan properly can cause improper installation, missed deadlines, building permit expiration, and unsupervised on site sub-contractors.
Myth #3 There’s no wrong way to complete a renovation project. Even if you’re considered the handy man in your neck of the woods it can be difficult to detect discrepancies in a home renovation project plan. For example to avoid cutting flooring around the shape of the cabinets some contractors will install the flooring first, but doing so could damage your flooring by not allowing the material to expand and contract with the seasons. Additionally, it’s no accident that your contractor leaves his Armani Suit home. Renovation projects can be messy, so it wouldn’t make sense for your contractor not to include line items like dust prevention, or trash removal in their project plan. Depending on the size of your renovation project trash removal alone can cost up to $400 plus the cost of labor.
According to the National Association of Home Builders the average American family stays in their home between 13 and 20 years. In that time, there is a good chance that you’ll begin to detect failed workmanship before you sell your home, which can impact your homes resale value, and lead to thousands in damages. Protect yourself from hidden costs and hire a contractor who has a plan.
If you have a project plan that you think may need a second look or would like more information on planning for a specific project please contact Tom Hamburger of Tom Hamburger Builders thbinc@comcast.net or connect with him on LinkedIn and facebook