1. What experience does your contractor have with this type of project?
How much experience does the home improvement contractor have in doing projects like yours? Does s/he specialize in this type of project, or will s/he be using your home as a learning project? Typically, contractors who have done several projects like yours will have a better idea of the actual costs and production issues involved in your project. Remember, however, that every remodeling project is a little different, and it is doubtful that any contractor has ever done a job EXACTLY like yours.
2. Who will be doing the actual work?
Will the individual you’re talking to be doing the work himself, or will they be using subcontractors or employees? Each scenario has its own advantages and disadvantages, but make sure you know what to expect on your job. Who will you ask questions once the project begins? Should you talk to the subcontractors, a jobsite manager, or the owner of the business? It is very important you have one person who will consistently answer your questions and not give you the run around.
3. What happens if changes are required to the initial bid?
What is the contractors’ process for making changes in the middle of the project? Most times you would like to avoid making changes mid-project but there can be unforeseen obstacles that arrive and it is good to know ahead of time how your contractor will deal with those obstacles. Most contractors use some sort of change order form that details the exact work and cost involved in changes once work has begun.
4. Am I prepared to be flexible when the unexpected arises?
Invariably, every job has something that wasn’t planned on come up. Delays due to weather, unforeseen conditions which present themselves once walls are torn down, changes to design or material choices, and problems with employees or subcontractors can all upset the planned flow of the project. Are you prepared to be flexible and work with your contractor to find solutions when these problems arise?
5. How do I feel about working with this contractor?
What is your gut feeling on working with this individual? Do you trust him or her? How do you feel about their design ideas as compared to your own? Can you communicate openly and clearly with this person? If it’s a remodeling project, how do you feel about this person being in your house for several days or weeks at a time often when you are not home? This is a really important factor to consider if you don’t trust this person don’t hire them.
By: Gregg Hicks
Posts Tagged ‘Home Improvement Project’
5 Questions To Ask Before Starting Any Home Improvement Project
March 2nd, 2010Save Money Doing Home Improvements Out of Season
February 26th, 2010
You may be looking outside at the wind and rain (and maybe even snow) and wondering who does home improvement projects in the winter? The short answer is people who want to save money.
Summer is the busiest time of year for remodeling and other house projects, but there are many things you can have done in spring, autumn, and even winter. And guess what? You’ll save money because contractors are less busy this time of year, and they’re often eager to cut deals in order to get some business.
It’s true that some projects are best done in the warm, dry days of summer, but there are lots of home improvements you can do “out of season” without trouble. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
If you’re looking for a few winter projects, this is a good time of year to remodel the kitchen or bathroom. Since these are done entirely indoors, weather does not make a difference. Busy during the time leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas (as customers are eager to get their houses ready for the holidays), design and remodeling professionals often experience a lull in late December and January. This is a great time to contact them, because they’ll be eager to get business going in the new year. You may even be able to negotiate for a 10% discount. Also, kitchen appliances often go on sale late in the year, so this may be a good time to buy that stainless steel refrigerator and oven you’ve been drooling over.
Another home improvement project you can tackle in the winter is landscaping. Because the trees are bare and the bushes are flower-free, most people don’t think about landscaping this time of year. That makes it the perfect time to contact a landscape architect, designer, or contractor. Again, you may be able to negotiate deals for work done in the off seasons, and pruning fruit trees is easier when the leaves are on the ground. In addition, this is a good time of year to eradicate pest plants and weeds.
If you’re looking forward toward the spring, a good home improvement project for that time of year is replacing the roof. Roofing companies are busy during the summer, which is the peak season, and can afford to charge a premium for their work. But if you can find a dry week in the spring, you won’t be charged high prices and you won’t have to wait for the roofer to have an opening in a busy schedule.
You can also pour concrete in the spring if you’ve been thinking about a patio or new walkway. Concrete actually likes water, using it as fuel for the curing process, so a damp overcast (but not rainy) spring day is great for pouring a driveway or patio. Pouring concrete in the spring also means the slab will have a long time to cure before winter brings freezing temperatures.
If you’re looking ahead to home improvement projects for next fall, you could schedule exterior house painting for then. Painting in the rain isn’t a good idea, but that doesn’t mean you can paint only in the summer (high temperatures and direct sunlight can actually dry the paint before it has had a chance to bond properly to the surface). Save money on getting your house painted by asking the contractor to treat your home as a fill-in job, one he or she works on in bits and pieces between other projects. The contractor may be able to offer a discount, as this keeps the crew busy during days they’d otherwise have no work.
These are just a few home improvement projects that you can save money on by scheduling them in the off season. Be willing to think outside the box, and you can get some great deals on renovating your home.
By: TC Thorn
6 Great Home Improvement Projects For Less Than $1000
February 23rd, 2010
Amid the difficult conditions and the volatility of real estate markets, investing on major home improvement projects may not be the right way to go for most homeowners. However, notwithstanding the conditions that prevail in the market, you still need to keep your home at its finest shape and form if you want to gain the upper hand in a market where competition among sellers is fierce. For the ordinary home sellers, they have their work cut out for them. The good thing is that if you are inclined to perform common DIY home improvement task and have minimal amount of funds, there are several tasks that you can perform to significantly add value to your home.
Here is a 6-point home improvement project that is worth under $1000.
1. Replace your old kitchen countertops
Conjure up a new look that will surely blow you away by starting work on a new and modern kitchen countertop. There are a plethora of low-priced but sleek and elegant materials that are available in the market. Your choices shall include terrazzo composites and solid surfacing, cast concrete, stainless steel and other green variants. You can complete the makeover by blending your brand new and contemporary countertops with new hardware for your cupboards, drawers and shelves.
2. Invest on modern bathroom accessories for added safety and comfort
If you are planning of staying in your present home for at least 5 years, then now is the best time for you to consider some serious improvement in one of the most important part of your home – the bathroom. One of your major concerns when doing your bathroom improvement projects are the appropriate changes that contribute to the easy access of members of the household regardless of current abilities and age.
When assessing the current condition of your bath, you must always focus on those aspects that need improvement for added comfort and safety. You may have to consider installing a new entry door with a wider configuration. Other practical changes that you might consider include the installation of easy-to-hold doors and cabinet accessories, grab bars, and shower accessories that come with a modern hand-held shower head.
3. Paint up for a fresh new look
A fresh coat of paint is your best option when it comes to transformative home makeover. Thus, it is easily your best go-to alternative if you are looking for the updating technique that can make a BIG difference.
4. Refurbish the outer zones
Your leisure area during warm weather conditions becomes more enjoyable if you will work on the improvement of outer rooms and make it as one of the focal points of your home. You can invest for an expansion to add a small patio or deck made of brick, cement pavers or natural stone materials. This is one great way of expanding and extending the function of your current living space.
5. Focus on the curb appeal
Your front yard is the first thing that can be seen from street. It is just but logical that you put in your best efforts to provide this part of your home the kind of updating it truly deserves. Assess the welcome quotient of the entry point to your property. One great improvement option is the installation of a door that has the requisite elegant look and balanced with the toughness and reliability so that it can withstand the effects of the exterior environment.
6. Work on your home’s energy efficiency
This is one home improvement aspect which can deliver significant returns in an instant. Those simple home improvement tasks that are geared towards improving the energy efficiency of your home will turn in significant gains in the form of reduced energy consumption. For instance, you can reduce domestic energy loss and raise the level of comfort in your home by simply sealing the ducts of your HVAC system.
By: Laurel R. Lindsay