Whether you’re preparing to sell, just bought your new home, or Covid-19 lockdowns are making you climb the walls, there’s often a desire to improve your property so that it’s perfect.
Unless you’re strongly into DIY, there’s a strong possibility you’re going to work with contractors.
As your local neighborhood real estate agent, I see time and again how relationships between homeowners and clients can slip into argument and acrimony. That’s never good for you, and it’s certainly not optimal for completing the perfect renovation.
So to help you through this process, here are eight observations about the reality of working with contractors to ensure your project stays within budget and on the emotional straight and narrow.
- Maybe you should move out – For bigger projects, contractors would prefer you moved out. Often it’s a safety or access issue. Either way, they prefer unfettered access to the property. Ask your builders if they’d recommend that you move out for the duration of the work. If so, make sure you cost that expense into your budget.
- Builders like their own suppliers – The primary contractor and their project manager doesn’t want to deal with your cousin. They want their electrician, plumber, tiler, and suppliers for items such as a fireplace. If you bring in additional suppliers, it can cause problems. Address this issue up front to ensure you avoid friction.
- Shop around – Contractors will encourage you to do that and make sure you check references and licenses. If you end up giving them the job, they are happy that you have chosen the most suitable contractor for the job.
- Don’t nickel and dime – Contractors need a profit margin, and they’ll likely not yield it to you. The more you chip away, the less you’re going to get in return. So, if the cost is a problem, then work with them, not against them. They’ll have plenty of ideas for how you can reduce your expenses and still get the result you want.
- Scope-creep nightmares – Be sure you know what you want and put it in the plan and request for quotes. If you start adding features after the event, the cost and time for completion will rise accordingly. Changing your mind half way through is also a great way to increase costs and drama.
- Honest day’s work – Watch-out for dodgy operators. If you’ve been careful with your selection of a contractor, this shouldn’t be a problem. Most operators are trying to run an honest business and will not bid low but hike charges after winning the contract. In any remodel, there are always unknown factors. You should set aside 15% of your budget for unexpected issues that arise.
- They like new materials – Contractors get nervous about reusing your existing materials. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to find floorboards that match the 50-year-old timbers you’ve got. And they’re unlikely to commit to using the antique kitchen cabinets that might fall apart once they’re pulled away from the walls. If this is your brief, you will need to use specialist contractors that are comfortable with what you’re asking for.
- Stick to the rules – Contractors are not able to influence planning laws and county restrictions. They’ll likely have useful contacts to seek clarification on any permissions that might be needed. But don’t ask them to break or bend the rules.