Five things remodeling contractors wish their clients knew

Remodeling contractors handle a lot of projects in a given year. As a result, they work with a wide variety of homeowners and see the best and worst when it comes to planning and executing a remodeling project. Sometimes homeowners are a great help to the remodeler during the process. Other times, not so much. Here are a few things that remodeling contractors wish their clients knew going into a remodeling project.

The importance for detailed plans and a budget

The job of a remodeling contractor is infinitely harder when he/she doesn’t have a clear idea of what it is the homeowners want and what they’re willing to spend. Homeowners need to have a clear vision for the remodel, an understanding of its scope, and a realistic budget. If the scope of the project or the budget changes during the project somewhat, the contractor can roll with it, but if there is no clear plan or budget, it’s impossible to please the client.

The importance of planning for contingencies

If there’s one thing you can count on with a remodel, it’s that something you can’t count on will happen. There are almost always hidden costs and unforeseen problems when the work actually begins. Homeowners who haven’t prepared for this may not have room in the budget for them and the project is halted or scaled down to accommodate. Projects can go much more smoothly if homeowners have allowed for an extra 12 to 15% in their budget and timeline for contingencies.

The importance of sticking to the plan

There are few things as frustrating to a remodeling contractor as a homeowner than can’t make up his/her mind. It really delays the project and makes things difficult when homeowners keep changing their minds about what they want. Homeowners should make a plan and stick to it if at all possible.

The importance of realistic expectations

Remodeling projects are messy affairs and many homeowners are so focused on how wonderful the finished project will be that they aren’t prepared for how difficult the process will be while it’s ongoing. There will be dust and noise and other inconveniences and contractors will work with homeowners to limit it but there’s only so much they can do.

The importance of hiring the right contractor

Finally, and most importantly, licensed, insured, and qualified contractors want homeowners to stop cutting corners by hiring amateurs who don’t know what they’re doing. For one, it means less work for them, and for two, they often get called in afterwards to fix all the mistakes and it’s much more difficult. Homeowners that are looking to hire contractors should make sure than anyone they’re considering has a license to do what they do and that they’re insured. Contractors should be vetted and have a good reputation in the community in which they work.

Source: WestChester Magazine

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