Remodeling rather than buying a new home can be a tempting strategy if you love your neighborhood and don’t wish to move.
Yet, upgrading your home can be taxing to your stress levels. There is a lot to think through and coordinate with contractors. Some homeowners come away from a remodel scarred and so unhappy with the entire process they choose to cash out and sell anyway.
If you employ a construction company, you must face the reality that you will need to be constantly vigilant about the quality and, on some days, may wonder why no one has turned up at your property. It pays to think of the whole thing as a marathon rather than a sprint with many tests to your endurance.
Here are seven some tips to help manage the process:
Consider an architect
For a big job, an architect can play a pivotal role. Among their many contributions, they’ll draw up plans with you and help get them through planning authorities. For an extra charge, they’ll work with the construction company until the project is completed. This gives you an ally, keeps you at arm’s distance from the action and will significantly ease your stress levels.
Rely on reputation
Word of mouth recommendation is the most reliable method for selecting a contractor if you’re not using the services of an architect. Do not choose a construction company based on finished work. You’ll have no idea of how the project rolled out and whether the client was happy with the work or customer care they provided. Talk to the contractors past clients about their experiences and check online reviews. Your research of available candidates is arguably the most critical factor in any project.
Take your time with the plans
Many construction companies will provide architect or drafting services, often via a sales representative. There’s nothing wrong with this, but you must make sure you get absolutely everything you want to be included in the plan. Changes on the fly can be extremely costly and give the contractor wiggle room around completion deadlines. If you think you’re the type who will alter plans as you go, it will be cheaper to employ an architect. They’ll help contain costs and make sure you don’t blow your budget, or warn you before you do.
The contract sets the rules
A contract will include the finalized plans, budget, completion deadline and caveats around what might be unforeseen issues for which the contractor might increase their price. Once signed, you’re locked in. Frustrations around a contractor’s ad hoc workdays, and periods where nothing seems to happen, are all part of the experience. You might want to sack the contractor a hundred times, but it really must be an action of last resort. Word will get out about your job and your behavior as a client (whether true or false), and finding a replacement might not be as easy as you’d assume.
Penalties create focus
No construction company will propose a penalty for missing a deadline in the contract they present to you. Therefore, you will need to negotiate not just the penalty but its inclusion in a contract. You will need to include an allowance for days with bad weather when work cannot be carried out.
Defect clause
A defect clause should give you time to raise issues after the work has been signed off by both the contractor and yourself. Defects might be a leaking roof or loose guttering, but they could be structural. Without this clause, many builders will not return to your job and you will be left seeking a contractor to fix up the work. As part of the contract, you should be able to hold back a proportion of the value of the work to fund any problems that may arise. This should be paid to the contractor on the expiry of the defect clause.
Insurance is vital
Make sure you read the documentation and check the contractor’s insurance coverage is at least the minimum of the value of the work that is proposed. Seek professional advice if you are in any doubt.
Budget for an overrun
It’s rare that a project comes in under budget. When remodeling, it’s likely something expected may be discovered – a fault or issue with your existing building – that will require remediation. Make sure you have a little extra hidden in the budget to cover additional costs so you don’t completely max yourself out.