Home Improvement: Don’ts from a Contractor’s Point of View
HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS:
Don’ts from a Contractor’s Point of View
Don’t delay decisions.
Make your product and color selections well in advance of when they are needed. A late decision on a faucet can mean weeks of delay if it is on back order.
Don’t change your mind (too much).
Although this is inevitable, remember that change orders cost money and delay completion.
Don’t buy your own materials.
Contractors typically get better prices than consumers.
Also, if that toilet you got “such a good deal” on has defective parts in it, you will be paying the plumber to uninstall it and paying him again to reinstall a replacement once you get it. If he buys it and there is a problem, it’s on his dime to make it right.
Don’t start a project without a contingency fund.
Unforeseen issues can arise or you can get carried away with change orders (“while you’re here” syndrome). You don’t want to run out of funds before the project is complete.
Don’t put lipstick on a pig.
Some people insist on putting high end cabinets into a house with a sinking foundation or a super high-efficiency air conditioner in a house with leaking windows and no insulation. Listen to your contractor. Sometimes it makes more sense to tear a house down than spend a fortune repairing it.
Don’t let kids and pets get in the way.
Remodeling work in inherently dangerous. It’s just not safe to have children or animals around construction. The same holds true for your guests and nosy neighbors too.
Don’t live in the home.
If you are having a whole house remodel done or taking the roof off to add a second floor, don’t try to live in the house. Make other living arrangements that are safe, comfortable, and dry.
Don’t ignore what the house needs.
If the contractor finds that existing walls do not have fire stops in them, spend the money to correct the problem because it’s a matter of life safety. If he suggests repainting the rest of the house’s exterior while adding on a garage, you can easily defer that expense to a later date.
Don’t plan a room addition without thinking about furniture.
Although you may like French doors centered on a wall, it’s too late after the project is done to determine the couch blocks the door. I suggest drawing the rooms to scale on one sheet of paper and your furniture to scale on another sheet of paper. Cut out the furniture and place it on the room to make sure you like the way things lay out and verify there are no conflicts with windows and doors.
If you have questions about any home improvement project please call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more! In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.