Remodeling can be a confusing process to the customer. There are many different aspects of planning, design and construction in which you will need professional guidance.
Four Major Considerations for a Remodeling Project
First: Understand and Compare Remodeling Contractors
Customers should know what type of remodeling contractor they are speaking with or comparing. There are three distinctly different types of remodeling contractors and each offer vastly different levels of service, amount of risk, as well as an enormously different result and experience for the customer.
“The Boutique Remodeler”
Is generally a small company, consisting of the Owner/Contractor and some subcontractors. They typically provide their customers with what they, the contractor, want to deliver, rather than what the customer actually wants. Often, this type of remodeler is operating as a decorating company rather than as a licensed contractor. This type of remodeler may serve the customer well if they were merely “refreshing” their home, but could result in serious risk to the customer if they were to try and tackle remodeling beyond their limitations.
The Boutique Remodeler has experience and knowledge in the area of coordination of color and finishes. They typically have very little knowledge in the important areas such as structural design, window & door openings or replacements, roof, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing. Unfortunately for the customer, they disguise their shortfalls.
“The Fishing Pole & Truck Remodeler”
Is generally a small remodeler, operating from single-job to single-job, completing one job before starting the next, often from draw payment to draw payment. The major issues or concerns from this type remodeler arise from their attempts to try and manage more than one job at a time. As they attempt to manage more than one job at a time, their absentee supervision may result in delays in construction scheduling and potential construction defects along with the possibility of lesser quality of work. They usually work alone and may have a spouse assisting with some of the administrative duties. A spare room in the house and a truck is generally all of the office and shop space this contractor needs. This person will often utilize subcontractors and temporary labor to fulfill many of the job tasks that he cannot complete himself. Typically completing all the estimating and sales, material procurement, bookkeeping and much of the fieldwork personally, this is likely to be a busy and hard working individual. As a result of the size of the company, they can usually offer the lowest price.
This company will serve very well for some customers, although there are times when this contractor will experience serious difficulties. Becoming overwhelmed by the demands of the current remodeling task, while constantly soliciting and selling new jobs, while attempting to manage other aspects of their business. An illness, injury, hurricane or even a vacation can create a remodeling disaster for the innocent customer. A well-intentioned individual can quickly become spread too thin. This type of remodeler will undoubtedly become associated with a much higher risk to the customer, even though they make up the largest percentage of remodelers in the United States today.
“The Professional Remodeler”
SABATELLO defines the “Professional Remodeler”. A larger company with the ability to offer a more comprehensive menu of services, such as a wider variety of design possibilities, product selection, current construction techniques, energy efficient design awareness and excellent warranty coverage. This type of remodeler offers a tremendous amount of experience and is focused on the Process and the Project as well as Reducing Your Risk and ensuring a pleasant remodeling Experience.
“Professional Remodelers” generally employ a crew of field technicians to complete the job with a separate administrative staff to support the field crew, order material and to estimate or stage new jobs. This can result in larger company overhead, but it allows the various people involved in the project to focus on completing the task at hand for which they are best qualified. This diversity creates a greater likelihood of a successfully completed project with minimal disruption and inconvenience to the customer. An employee illness, injury or vacation can strike this contractor as well, but it will be much less likely to result in a serious problem or delay for the customer.
“Professional Remodelers” will have the workforce, subcontractor base and project management to tackle any project or unforeseen problem that may arise during the remodeling project, therefore greatly minimizing the risk to the customer. Also, this type of remodeler has great “Buying Power”, which provides the ability to purchase material and labor at a better price than other types of remodelers. In some cases, they have the ability to purchase a higher quality and more energy efficient alternative at the same or lower cost. A benefit to the customer from “Buying Power” often offsets the additional costs for the comprehensive menu of services that are provided.
Second: Making sure your Contractor is Licensed and Insured
Once you have decided what type of contractor best fits your needs, the next most important step is to determine if the various contractors you are considering are qualified to perform the work with the least amount of liability and risk for you.
The State of Florida, the County and the City or Town where the contractor’s office is located each requires Licensing and Insurance. It is important to ask the contractor for each of the following items in order to determine if they are sufficiently licensed and insured:
• Certificate of Insurance, with the Owner shown as the Certificate Holder, showing proof of General Liability and Worker’s Compensation Insurance (if the Contractor also carries an Umbrella policy, this is an added bonus).
• Copy of their current and valid Contractor’s License with the State of Florida
• Copy of their current and valid County Occupational or Business Tax License
• Copy of their current and valid City or Town Occupational License
The above items should be provided to you before you enter into a contract. If something seems inaccurate or illegitimate, do not hesitate to call the appropriate issuing authority for verification. Any contractor with valid information will never make you feel uncomfortable about asking for these items. They provide them willingly.
Third: Communication and Chemistry
Another important factor in the remodeling process is the ability for you to effectively and efficiently communicate with your contractor. The chemistry between you and the contractor needs to be unified and there is no better time to determine this than at the initial consultation meeting. Trust your instincts.
The process is as much about the chemistry as it is about the “bricks and sticks”. It is of utmost importance that your goals, ideas and objectives for the remodeling project be effectively communicated to the contractor in order to achieve a successful end result. Equally important is the contractor’s ability to provide you a design that is based upon the goals, ideas and objectives you have conveyed. You don’t want to ask the contractor to build a horse, only to have the contractor build you a zebra because he “thinks” that is what you wanted. You want the contractor to not only “hear” you, but to “listen” to you as well.
Fourth: The Proposal or Estimate
Conventional wisdom is to obtain at least three estimates for any remodeling work you are considering. However, in some cases, that may not be necessary. For example, when the contractor comes recommended to you by a trusted source, you have met with that contractor and the chemistry is a match, then trust in your instincts, and work forward with that contractor.
Price should never be the sole deciding factor. Many times the lowest price is not the total and complete price. The total and complete price, offered by the most experienced contactor will ultimately provide you with the lowest total cost, with the least amount of “unknown” change order expenses, and the least amount of warranty work once the project is completed.
There are various factors that go into pricing a remodeling project, so be sure that every estimate you receive has the same exact scope of work. If the estimates are vague and the information is hard to interpret, don’t be afraid to ask the contractor for clarification in writing. If you are unable to obtain, or the contractor is unwilling to provide adequate written clarification to your questions, it may be wise to eliminate that contractor from the list.
