Be confident about your GC / design build firm you hired:
As many mentioned before, hire only a licensed and insured contractor. Don’t be shy to ask to see those documents. You can also look it up online.
Ask them for references from previous clients.
Feel comfortable communicating with them and be direct and clear when you do so.
The design process:
Ask as many questions as you can. There are no stupid questions here; YOU will have to live with your new design.
Make decisions. Asking questions does not mean hesitation: get the information, sleep on it, and make a decision. The faster you decide, the faster your renovation will start.
While renovating:
Plan your living situation BEFORE the construction begins; while renovating your house can get dusty, loud and not a comfortable place to live in which can highly affect your day-to-day life.
Problems may come up: be patient. Sometimes the construction process uncovers issues and problems that need to be fixed, things that could not be revealed before.
Last but not least, enjoy it! This is a creative process that could be fun if you decide it will.
Good luck!
Hi,
Make sure the company you are considering is fully insured and licensed. Get a few addresses of jobs they completed where you can check out the workmanship. Our company provides phone numbers of our previous clients so you can call the customer. Also make sure the owner is available to answer any questions you have.
Good Luck!
Ask your contractor for a clearly defined scope of work with definitive timelines and clearly identified cost. Once everyone is on the same page regarding scope, accountability can be assigned to both parties (work to be completed and payment terms) and known expectations are easier to meet than the unknown.
Basic things like access to the work area at the agreed time, furniture/possessions not in the way of work, clear communication on regarding what you desire to have done and having a realistic budget (that matches your scope of work) in mind will go a long way with most contractors.
Research and vet as many contractors as possible for your project, utilizing web resources, local trade associations, rating agencies and your trusted personal network. Educate yourself as to the products, materials and labor resources required for the completion of the project by asking direct specific questions of the professionals being interviewed. Do not be pressured by a salesperson for an expedited decision. Before work starts ask the contractor what preparatory steps, if any, are required. During the project observe the work being performed only intervening if there is a safety or damage concern. After the work is finished, verify work area is clean and no other items have been obviously misplaced or damaged and notify the contractor immediately.
Make sure you can give as much info as possible when requesting an estimate. Pictures always help.
Make sure you are within the service area, if not sure just ask
Also we will ask you a couple of important questions such as:
1.) Do you have a deadline?
2.) What is your budget?
3.) Will you have some of the materials or will we need to acquire them?
It is important that the Homeowner provides our Electrician with the most information possible about the project. We also appreciate the Homeowners to be available when any questions arise.
Planning! The practice of “measure twice, cut once” will help the most on any remodel. Most owners/contractors will plan for what they want to see as an end product. Often, the planning/discovery of the “as-built” status of the existing structure, doesn’t get as much attention. With good reason, it’s not always easy to do.
Where most remodels go off track is when you start the demo process and you find a situation that had been covered up and was unforeseeable. This can be anything from covered up plumbing / electrical lines to termite damage.
The best way to plan for this is to simply expect it. Make sure you have extra time and money in the budget. Then, when these surprises do happen you will be ready for them.
The most important thing to get correct is to hire the right contractor. So many people are looking strictly at the numbers and hiring the cheapest contractor only to pay later in time, aggravation. Get referrals and check the work of the contractors that you are considering. Make sure that type of project you have is the type that the contractor has experience with. The cheapest way to do something is the right way the first time with the right team! A contractor who works out of a home office, pays little or no workman’s comp, doesn’t pull permits and uses a pickup crew for each job is operating from a completely different position of integrity and financial strength than one who carries all of the required insurance, does things correctly, retains employees all year long and has a strong reputation.
Make sure whomever you hire is licensed and gets the required permits through the county. Permits assure that the client is getting work done that is up to code and is done to city standards.
The Best Possible thing you can do is visit one of your contractors finished projects.
Over the phone referrals are easy to fake, so are pictures of completed projects.
Do your research before hiring a contractor. Read reviews online and make sure to spend time reviewing the estimate. Ask questions and get a firm grasp on the scope of work. Its important to pick a licensed contractor with a proven track record. Good home renovations come from a good estimate and proper planning. Take the time to properly plan the project from start to finish and you will avoid potential change orders down the road. Most qualified contractors will help you with design and provide suggestions. Good luck with your project!
Make sure that work areas are accessible, free from debris, and that there are not pets that can interfere with the work. Make sure that you are always available to have a conversation if the contractor has to make a decision that includes you.
Communication is key! Also any valuables laying around or any furniture or things of value that may be in the way should be removed from the work area.
Do some research before you begin. Look at pictures for ideas as this will help you get a faster quote and project design started and executed. Pick out what materials you want, colors, and any relevant info such as brand choices or even model numbers (like appliance model numbers to help design cabinetry)
Stay Involved. It is very easy nowadays to go to work and forget that your home is being created to your liking and preference. “Check in” at least weekly. On larger jobs we try to setup a weekly meeting to go over progress, thoughts, or concerns and this generally keeps the surprises out of the picture.
Great question. The most important thing is to ask for a detailed proposal in writing. For example, if you want shingles for your roof, what type of shingles the contractor is going to use. The key point here is to know what you want and what you are getting. Furthermore, make sure that the company offers a warranty.
When job is done revise the finished job as compared to the proposal to make sure that everything is as it should be.
Hello,
I would recommend doing your homework before signing a contract. What I mean is, signing up for websites like buildzoom and checking what score and customer testimonials they have received.
Communication and setting expectations are absolutely the key to a successful project. My father told me (as I’m sure many fathers told many sons through time) “measure twice, cut once”. It’s a solid principal. Be clear about what is wanted, be concise about what is expected, and communicate in writing. Remodeling projects should be exciting and fun! There are the expectations of long awaited newness to your home and the best way to achieve the vision is to communicate that vision.
