You’ve narrowed down the prospects, interviewed them, looked at their work and talked to references. It’s time to make a decision. Who will be your choice? Chose the one you feel most comfortable with, the one whose personality best suits you, whose designs are inspired, beautiful and well tailored, whose way of doing business most impresses you, the one who asked all the right questions and best addresses your concerns. When choosing your remodeling partner, keep in mind that you are beginning a collaborative process that you will be personally involved in, especially if you are using a design-build firm. You want to be working with someone you like and who is a good communicator. Do not let yourself be swayed by the one who gave you the lowest dollar guestimate of what a project like yours may cost unless they also meet the above criteria.
What if your preferred contractor is busy and you will have to wait longer than you had hoped for your project to start. My advice is wait. Good contractors tend to be busy. What’s more important than how soon a project will start is the timeline to completion once it’s started. There are many times I have seen impatient clients go with another contractor who could begin sooner, and then had the project take longer to complete than it would have if they had waited for us. The difference is in the contractor staying on the project and managing it well during the process. So be patient.
Some things to consider when choosing your remodeler :
Years in Business– Most remodeling companies started (96% +-) will be out of business in ten years or less. The majority fail within 5 years.
Expertise– Are they experienced in the type of project and in the style you desire? If you are considering a design-build firm, do their projects demonstrate fine design as well as building expertise?
Range of Services- Do you want a full service contractor? Including design services? Are
you expected to provide some materials or services yourself?
Level of Service-
An important consideration is the level of service your contractor can be expected to provide. Most unpleasant remodeling experiences are a result of poor service: uninspired or unsuited design, inaccurate or incomplete estimating, sloppy workmanship, unreturned calls, no shows, disorganized worksites, discourteous workers, a project that drags on and on…,these are just a few examples of poor service. Be certain your contractor is noted for providing excellent service, before during and after construction
Professionalism
What professional organizations are they actively involved in? Are they involved in their communities? Active membership in professional organizations ( National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Builders Assoc., the Remodelers Council etc.) demonstrate their commitment to professionalism. All of these organizations require members to adhere to a strict code of ethics. Do they support any community charities or donate time to improve the industry?
What do Others Say About Them?
Always ask for and then talk to references. Also check company ratings with the Better Business Bureau . Do they have any unsolicited third party revues or endorsements? Newspaper or magazine articles about their company or projects? Also ask contractors under consideration if they can tell you their rate of repeat clients. That speaks volumes about their service.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Talking to References
We’ve all heard the advice: “ask for and then contact references!” But not much advice is given about the questions to ask them. Here is a list of suggested questions I recommend you ask about anyone you are considering as a partner for your remodeling project:
How was your overall experience with them?
Were you pleased with the design?
Is it beautiful as well as functional?
“ “ architecturally appropriate?
Does it meet the needs and wishes you expressed?
Was the job completed in a timely manner?
Were the workers neat and courteous?
Was there good communication between you and the designer, contractor, project supervisor?
Where there warranty issues and if so, how did they respond?
Did you receive good value for your investment?
Would you use them again?
Would you rate their overall service as Excellent Good Adequate Inadequate ?
Of the 12 questions listed above 4 pertain specifically to the design of the project, 4 to management skills (a well run project) and the balance to overall satisfaction.
Add any other questions addressing your specific concerns. I believe it’s important to ask very specific questions about the full range of services a remodeling project requires. You want to be sure the contractor you are considering will provide the level of service you desire.
C Copyright Fred V. Peters 2008
All rights reserved.
How was your overall experience with them?
Were you pleased with the design?
Is it beautiful as well as functional?
“ “ architecturally appropriate?
Does it meet the needs and wishes you expressed?
Was the job completed in a timely manner?
Were the workers neat and courteous?
Was there good communication between you and the designer, contractor, project supervisor?
Where there warranty issues and if so, how did they respond?
Did you receive good value for your investment?
Would you use them again?
Would you rate their overall service as Excellent Good Adequate Inadequate ?
Of the 12 questions listed above 4 pertain specifically to the design of the project, 4 to management skills (a well run project) and the balance to overall satisfaction.
Add any other questions addressing your specific concerns. I believe it’s important to ask very specific questions about the full range of services a remodeling project requires. You want to be sure the contractor you are considering will provide the level of service you desire.
C Copyright Fred V. Peters 2008
All rights reserved.
Skillful Management
Previously I wrote about the importance of a well designed, finely crafted project.
This time I want to address the importance of skillful management of the remodeling process. This is overlooked by many, but without it, your remodeling dream is likely to become your remodeling nightmare. Consider the effects of poor management and how they impact a remodeling project:
Poor Scheduling– No shows, days or weeks with little or no activity, workers on site with no materials, deliveries made with no one to receive them, the job drags on and on.
Poor Communication– Unclear Contract, poorly defined scope of work, owners don’t know what to expect during construction, unreturned calls, unsupervised job site.
Fiscal mismanagement– Using progress payments from your project to pay another projects expenses, liens against your property, suppliers and sub contactors reluctant to supply services.
Disorganized site– Resulting in wasted time, dangerous conditions, unnecessary inconvenience to the owners, neighbors complaints etc.
How do you ensure skillful management of your project? By selecting a professional contractor with a good track record. A good place to start is to choose contractors that are members of organizations like NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) or the Remodelors Council which do background checks and have a code of ethics to which their members subscribe. It’s also a good idea to contact the BBB. When you interview the contractor, ask about how they manage their projects. If they don’t leave you with a feeling of confidence in their management skills, move on. And finally, the most important thing you can do when making your decision is to contact references and ask them about their remodeling experience with the company you are considering.
This time I want to address the importance of skillful management of the remodeling process. This is overlooked by many, but without it, your remodeling dream is likely to become your remodeling nightmare. Consider the effects of poor management and how they impact a remodeling project:
Poor Scheduling– No shows, days or weeks with little or no activity, workers on site with no materials, deliveries made with no one to receive them, the job drags on and on.
Poor Communication– Unclear Contract, poorly defined scope of work, owners don’t know what to expect during construction, unreturned calls, unsupervised job site.
Fiscal mismanagement– Using progress payments from your project to pay another projects expenses, liens against your property, suppliers and sub contactors reluctant to supply services.
Disorganized site– Resulting in wasted time, dangerous conditions, unnecessary inconvenience to the owners, neighbors complaints etc.
How do you ensure skillful management of your project? By selecting a professional contractor with a good track record. A good place to start is to choose contractors that are members of organizations like NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) or the Remodelors Council which do background checks and have a code of ethics to which their members subscribe. It’s also a good idea to contact the BBB. When you interview the contractor, ask about how they manage their projects. If they don’t leave you with a feeling of confidence in their management skills, move on. And finally, the most important thing you can do when making your decision is to contact references and ask them about their remodeling experience with the company you are considering.
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