One of the Key components to the proper flow of a project is access to the construction area. Please make sure that the entire area is free of personal items and that temporary protection can stay in place.
It comes in threes. Make sure you get bids from three people on every aspect of your project. If you choose a builder they should also give you 3 options of everything. Check with the state for licensing and your local building department. You can get info on what requires a permit from your local jurisdictions. Permits are just as they sound a certificate that “permits work” and requires specific practices and performances per the IBC (international building code). You should request and receive a certificate of liability once you choose a contractor, some states its a bond. You should have your name on that bond or certificate.
References are key to getting to know your contractor. Ask to go see the work and be allowed to speak with the owner. If you get any type of pushback from your contractor it’s usually a sign of a bigger issue. You work hard for your money don’t give it away to just anyone. A true professional will not hesitate to give you all of these items. To many people with pickup trucks think they are contractors and the homeowner finds out the hard way that they are not. Remember “you get what you pay for”.
Do your homework. Know your budget. Check references.
By knowing the finishes and products you want, you will not have to “hope” that the contractor you hire understands you.
By doing the homework listed above, you can get a feel for what you will be spending on your project.
By doing homework, and knowing your budget, you will know that the contractors you ask for quotes will give accurate bidding (apples to apples). And the ones that you connect with, you should consider checking references on for the quality of the initial work, their follow up, their warranty, their customer service skills, and their timeliness.
As the homeowner we understand how scary it can be to take on such a big project for your home. It is time and money invested and you want the results to show. At EOL Builders we believe that the most important thing you can do as the homeowner to ensure successful outcomes is to know what it is you are looking to achieve in the home (having a few ideas and examples in mind is always great), calculate your budget and know exactly what you can spend (try to calculate it with unforeseen added costs that are possible during the project, and try to calculate permit fees and little things that can add up), when meeting with a contractor make sure to give all of the details of what you are looking to do, and lastly hire a contractor that you trust and can count on.
Get a permit expediter on board as early on in your project as possible. As a permit expediting company, Puget Sound Permits works as a liaison between the homeowner and the jurisdiction. We find out all of the necessary requirements prior to submittal through meetings we call “Pre Submittal Services.”
Do your homework, and I mean planning homework. Make sure you no exactly what you want before you start. A contractor can only be as good as the direction you give them. Once you commit to something or a planned direction do not change your mind in the middle of the project it always delays the process, and ultimately creates tension between all parties involved. Just as you want the contractor to finish on time they really want to as well, so that they may move onto the next scheduled job.
Ask questions, remember, you are paying the bill, there is no dumb question!
Be clear, communication is the key I found out over 40 years, even the color and type of the doorknob, should be specified, no surprises!
Due your due diligence, and check out all 3 estimates, don’t just go with the contractor you like because of his smile, also make sure you go apples for apples!
Check out their references, licenses, insurance, etc, permits, Google is your friend.
Hope this helps and good luck with your project!
As a client you would definitely want to make product selections early on to prevent delays and explain exactly to a contractor what you are looking for. This will also prevent change orders/ extra costs in your project as the contractor will have all the items that will need to be installed and if one item needs extra framing or support they would add that extra cost already into the price.
Ensure that the company you work for has a proven track record in additional to good insurance on their work. THIS IS CRUCIAL: Make sure to monitor the people you contract.
My recomendation would be browsing relevent information regarding to the requirements and required quality of any trade, that will take place on the project. Usuall thing is contractors use customer’s incompetens in own benefit.
Be very clear on what your expectaions are for the project but listen to your contractor and be aware of the logistical limitations that apply to your project
A few small steps to make the project go well:
1.) I would do a lot of research on the contractor and make sure they are licensed and insured. If they are insured make sure you get a copy of their insurance from their insurance company.
2.) Call a reference or two from the contractor. Don’t limit this to just clients they has done work for but also call an architectural firm or other professional that they can list as a reference. The professional will be less swayed by sweet talking.
3.) Specify what you want but let the contractor order the materials. Generally the contractor will get a better price and, if they order them, they are responsible for them.
4.) Regularly inspect the work and make sure it is up to your standards and that things look correct. Understand that sometimes items will look incorrect until they are done. If you have a question ask the contractor it in a reasonable manner.
The first part of the process is asking yourself how much involvement you wish to have in the process. Do you want to hire a contractor that will provide an “all-in” approach (design, procurement, permitting, build, etc…) Or do you want to be more involved and bring in an Architect or interior designer first, and then procure a contractor to provide labor and raw material only? The later will probably cost less but with more hands in the pot, more involvement on your end, and not as smooth of a process. The former will cost slightly more, but way less involvement on your end + a smoother process.
As long as your are dealing with a reputable contractor that does the type of quality work you desire, then the end result will be fine - it sounds like it is the actual process you are worried about. If so, I would recommend going with a contractor that offers design and build services.
Aside from that, do your homework - check reviews, references, etc… Don’t be afraid to speak with 3 contractors to get a feel for their process.
Consult with 3 contractors, check their previous work, gatheoall materials prior to start and supervise the work.
When you as a home owner looking to do major remodeling you will need to find a good contractor for this task!
Now before you jumping into the project and signing big contract, test the contractor with one project, for example hire the contractor that you want to do only one bathroom the guest tub bathroom and check that the contractor standing in his quality, timing and no extra charges and change orders.
When this project is done and you satisfied jump to the big remodeling, it will make you feel better and more confident.
At the end of the day you choosing contractor by his reputation and by the confident that he giving you by remodeling your biggest investment in you life- your home.
Communication,communication,communication with your contractor is a key factor
Know your budget. High end details cost more than sometimes you would think. Bathroom/kitchen fixtures especially can be expensive. Prepare a budget for repair work such as rot around windows, mildew/mold repairs, ect. A good contractor will not continue the project without fixing those items, but they also won’t fix them for free. Know what your design elements are and have your choices picked out, the best bid is one where all preferences are known.
I would plan a realistic schedule. I would get a small kitchen set up in a different part of the house while the remodeling is ongoing. Check the credentials of your contractors and talk to them about your expectations. Go with the one that feels right not the cheaper one and don’t forget to ask questions why the difference in price . Take your time to find the right pro. And have them update you daily of whats going on today and tomorrow.
Communication is key. Make sure all your timeline expectations are laid out. Let the contractor work, Contractors can get carried away having conversations with the customers which can delay things.
make sure all materials are either there on hand but not in the way or the delivery dates are confirmed with contractor and his time sheet.
make sure you are readily available when the contractor has a question such as tile spacing, layout etc. one day in delay can make a huge difference
make sure all your choices are set in stone.