Looking to improve your home with some creative home remodeling? Thinking about bringing in a contractor? Be careful. According to the Better Business Bureau, home improvement businesses are one of the highest consumer complaint areas. BBB president David Polino reports that, many contractors earn great ratings, “stand behind honest ethical standards, and are committed to arbitration if something goes sour.” Other contractors “completely fail to meet basic obligations” and some have an F rating with the BBB. For most people, their home is their most valuable asset. Don’t let yours be tarnished with poor home remodeling. Follow these tips to ensure your remodeling project will be a success.
1. Don’t rush in. If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this tip. It’s a biggie. Make “Don’t rush in” your remodeling mantra. Carefully plan, organize, and budget any remodeling project. Doing so will save you money over the long term. According to a recent study from the BBB, “of the 2,000 readers who remodeled a kitchen in the three years prior to the survey, nearly 25 percent said they wished they had done more research or chosen a pro more carefully.” Take your time when it comes to planning a remodel.
2. Don’t expect returns on luxury items such as swimming pools and tennis courts. These items will be fun for you, and they will add a “high end” feel to your home listing if you ever decide to sell. But keep in mind that such remodeling projects don’t earn a significant return on investment for your remodeling dollars.
3. Don’t let price or beauty overshadow performance. Of course you want your finished remodel to be dazzlingly beautiful. But if you ignore hardware performance, you won’t enjoy using your new space. Hidden aspects of remodels are often the most important from a utility standpoint. One example: cabinetry. Many people are wowed by how cabinets look, or they are fooled into thinking that a high price automatically brings high quality. Ask your contractor or material provider about opportunities to upgrade cabinet gliders and other hidden hardware features.
4. Don’t change your mind. Do your homework ahead of time—changing your mind part way through the remodeling process will only add to your budget.
5. Don’t overcrowd. Carefully consider space issues. The bathroom is one area where many people overcrowd. Check measurements twice to ensure there is comfortable space between the toilet and sink, shower door and wall, etc. It may also be helpful to lay out a mock-up of the remodeling plan somewhere outside, where you can use tape, chalk, or string to outline the location of various elements in your custom home remodeling plan.
6. Don’t ignore your gut reactions. If the contractor’s personality irritates you, don’t ignore it. You’ll be sharing space with this person for a long time. Listen to your intuition as far as trusting home remodeling contractors is concerned.
7. Don’t avoid communicating with your contractor. Absent homeowners miss important details. Meet up with your contractor once a week, and communicate with him or her daily by phone or email.
8. Don’t micromanage workers. Doing so only irritates the foreman and the workers alike. Instead, meet with the foreman once a week to discuss progress.
9. Don’t hide your budget. Be upfront and include everything in the contract. That way you can be sure that you’ll actually be able to complete your custom home remodeling.
10. Don’t hesitate to ask for samples. Your imagination isn’t enough—live with paint swatches and samples for a bit before settling on your final materials.
11. Don’t be a victim. Education is key in avoiding shady contractors. A few red flags: They solicit door to door. They use high-pressure, limited time, on the spot, “special” offers. They don’t have a business listing. Their license plate is from out of state. Finally, they give you a queasy feeling in your stomach.
12. Don’t pay up-front. The BBB suggests that you pay in thirds: one third at the beginning, one third halfway through, and one third at completion. This keeps your contractor happy and productive.
13. Don’t pay cash—it’s harder to trace and doesn’t have any of the protection provided by banks (via personal checks) and credit cards.
14. Don’t assume anything. Ask to see your contractor’s insurance, permits, licenses, and certifications. It’s also smart to check out ratings with Angie’s List and the BBB.
15. Don’t try to do everything yourself. It may be tempting to try grouting that tile yourself, but if just one line is crooked, your home’s resale value could be decreased. Unless you are a confident, experienced DIY-type, hire a contractor to ensure that you obtain a high ROI.
By avoiding these don’ts, you can rest assured that your home remodeling project will come off without a hitch. Overall, your choice of contractor is the most important part of custom home remodeling. Pick a poor contractor, and the remodeling process will be hellish. Choose a competent, trusted local contractor, and your custom home remodeling experience will be heavenly. Sitka Projects is an award-winning, customer satisfying remodeling contractor in Portland, OR. To learn how we can help you turn your home into the relaxing haven you envision, contact us today for a free estimate.
