Tag: Palm Beach County home improvement

HOME REMODELING: ADDING A SUITE

Home Improvement, Room Additions

MAKING A SWEET BEDROOM SUITE

Leading Edge Homes - Making Your Addition Sweet

A Leading Edge Homes, Inc. suite addition makes your home even sweeter.

Adding a bedroom suite to your home can serve many different purposes. A “mother-in-law suite,” as it is often called, is a perfect living situation for your loved one that wants to keep their privacy and still remain independent.  Or perhaps you love your home, but your family has grown and you need another bedroom – just don’t add a room, create an oasis for yourself!

Generally, adding a suite will increase your property value. Future buyers see the added appeal of the addition that can be used as an office, a guest house/room, a temporary living area for a young married child or a returning college graduate, or as an alternative to an assisted living facility for an aging relative.

            Before you add on, there are things to consider:

LIMITATIONS

Your addition can include almost anything – including the kitchen sink! But, most municipalities in Florida do not allow you to add an oven or stove, because that will take your home from a “single family” designation to a “multiple family” designation – a violation in most areas. Bedroom(s), bathroom(s), sitting area(s), a utility room, or a kitchenette are fine. Your kitchenette can have a sink (or wet bar), cabinets, and even a refrigerator.

IF YOU HAVE A SEPTIC SYSTEM

In Palm Beach County, there are many rules you don’t often think about that may apply to your addition if you have a septic system. The size of your septic tank and the size of its drain field may limit the size of your addition – if you are adding a bedroom or a lot more living space. But don’t worry, you can always increase the size of the drain field or add another septic tank in series if your existing one isn’t large enough to accommodate the addition.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

There are many questions that you have to answer:

Do you want to build out or build up? 

Building up is generally more expensive because you will need have scaffolding, stairs, etc. Additionally, if the space is for an elderly relative, you need to think about how they will get upstairs in the event they no longer can climb stairs.

How will you gain access to the addition?

Is there a hallway you can use or an exterior door?  It is best to have an experienced contractor, such as Leading Edge Homes, Inc., advise you on the best way to modify your current home to gain access into the addition.  And yes, you can break through an existing exterior wall to make an opening into the addition – even a load bearing one.

What is the maximum space that can be utilized for the addition?

Municipalities vary on the front, side and rear set back requirements. This may limit the size and footprint that you can use to add onto your home.

DESIGN WITH A PURPOSE

What is the purpose of the addition? Think about who will be using the area. I recommend planning for the future including designing with wider doors and hallways in case the occupants need to use a walker or wheel chair. Grab bars and no-curb showers are also something to consider – or at least have backing in the walls in the event you need to add grab bars in the future.

Whether you are adding space for yourself or a family member, the design phase is the most important!  Think about what you want, what special requirements you want, and how the area will be utilized. Work with an experienced roomologist (contractor experienced in room additions) to design and build your addition. If you can imagine it, we can design it.

For all of your home remodeling , contact your local certified “roomologist”, Leading Edge Homes. Inc. at 561-795-2551. Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

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Home Improvement: TV Show Remodeling is Not Reality

Home Improvement

REALITY SHOW CONSTRUCTION – “Homeowners’ Funds Essentially Pay the Cost of Creating a Stage Set”

 

Sometimes the truth about home improvement is shocking...

Sometimes the truth about home improvement is shocking…

Back in October, I posted a blog about the “ABC’s” of reality shows and home remodeling. Sadly, a couple from Raleigh, North Carolina did not read the blog! They turned to HGTV network’s “Love It Or List It” last year when they were considering renovating a rental property they had in Raleigh and moving into it with teenage foster children.

“The couple contend that not only were they victims of shoddy work, they also suffered from a breach of contract, unfair trade practices in violation of North Carolina’s general contractor laws and a “bizarre” business model that creates an “inherent conflict of interest” for a production company that makes most of its money on TV advertising, ” according to an article in the Miami Herald.

Furthermore, “The couple allege that ‘Love It Or List It’ did not use a licensed architect to develop renovation plans, that they never were shown houses on the market by any North Carolina licensed real estate agent who had the ability to broker the sale of those homes and were left to put up with ‘disastrous work done by Big Coat and its subcontractors.'”

Reality home remodeling shows should be used for inspiration only.

If you have been inspired by something you have seen on television and want to determine if it can be duplicated in your home, contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. at 561-795-2551.  We will give you a real, guaranteed price.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes 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.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: When Your House is Telling You It Needs to Be Repaired

Home Improvement, Home Maintenance/Repairs

PUTTING THINGS OFF NOT WHAT IT IS CRACKED UP TO BE

 

Photo courtesy of @pawsandwatches

Photo courtesy of @pawsandwatches

Many people follow this advice from Mark Twain, “Never put off till tomorrow what may be done the day after tomorrow just as well.”

This philosophy make work fine for doing your laundry – you might have to re-wear some clothes after spraying them with Febreeze. It also might work well for grocery shopping  – you eat cake for breakfast;  it is made with eggs after all, right?

HERE’S AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE THIS ADVICE CAN HURT YOU IN THE WALLET

Home Improvement - House cracks are dangerous copy

Have you noticed cracks in your drywall or on the exterior of your house?  Are the gaps in the cracks getting larger? Do you have cracking walls that extend from floor to ceiling,  sticking doors, sagging floors or pooling water near a slab foundation? These MAY be signs of problems with your foundation. More advanced or severe damage is indicated by wide cracks in exterior walls or even separation of one section of a house.

IGNORING OR DELAYING REPAIRS ON YOUR HOME CAN LEAD TO DISASTER

Here’s why — the longer you wait to treat visible signs of damage, the more severe the damage can become. Left untreated, minor cracks and leaks can turn into serious structural issues that compromise the value and overall health of your home.

Your home’s structural integrity depends on the strength of your foundation. It supports everything else – walls, windows, floors, doorways, roof — so when your foundation is damaged, it can cause serious problems throughout your home.

WHAT CAN CAUSE THE DAMAGE?

One cause of a sinking foundation is improper compaction of the soil when your home was built. If the soil is not compacted properly, over time i will no longer be able to support the weight of your house and cracks will ensue.

Also, like other things in life, your foundation is subject to environmental stress. Expanding and contracting soil, excessive moisture and inadequate drainage are also threats to your home’s foundation. Over time, environmental stress can cause the foundation to shift, crack or settle unevenly.
Improper drainage: The most common sign of poor drainage is water pooling and forming swampy areas near a home’s foundation. Poor drainage can occur as a result of clogged or damaged gutters, or because the land surrounding a home isn’t properly graded away from the structure.

Water leaks under the slab: Slab foundations conceal sewer lines and water supply pipes; when a leak develops in a hidden line, it can cause the soil beneath the slab to deteriorate. This type of problem may cause moist areas in interior floors, or homeowners may notice a sudden spike in their water bills – but more often than not a slab leak will go unnoticed. Leak isolation testing is the preferred method for detecting slab leaks.

Tree root intrusions: Large trees can cause foundation problems as roots grow through the soil underneath the home. The intruding roots can exert significant pressure on under-slab water pipes and foundations. They can also leech moisture from the ground, causing soil to contract away from the home.

HELP ME I’M SINKING

A homeowner in Wellington contacted Leading Edge Homes because he wanted us to investigate the cracks and separation he was seeing on the exterior of his home.
Unfortunately for him, the investigation determined that the soil beneath the corner of his house was not compacted at all.  The soil engineers gave the compaction a rating of “10” out of 100, where at least and “95” is required before a structure can be built on top of the soil.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

The exterior remediation includes pressure grouting beneath the foundation under the watchful eye of a structural engineer.  A special concrete mixture is used to solidify the soil beneath the house.  In addition, part of the exterior wall will be opened up to allow the hollow block cells to be reinforced with steel then poured solid with concrete.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN INSIDE THE HOME

Sadly, the cracks allow for water intrusion.  Several years ago Leading Edge Homes had to do a similar repair for another homeowner in Palm Beach County. They ignored a musty smell in a bedroom for a long time, which turned out to be mold. The exterior cracks and sinking foundation allowed water to get inside the home.

In that case, the homeowner had to have specialized mold remediation performed which included removing the drywall, flooring, and even some of the furniture.

Ignoring the warning signs was quite costly.

LESSONS LEARNED

Don’t put blinders on if you see wall cracks thinking that what you don’t look at won’t bother you. Call in the experts at Leading Edge Homes and we’ll determine if the cracks are cosmetic or structural. It is easier and less costly to treat a problem early rather than after severe damage has occurred.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about your home, a home you are purchasing, the design process for building a home, or a project you are considering, contact your local design-build contractor, Leading Edge Homes. Inc. 

For all of your new home, home remodeling and inspection needs, contact your local certified “roomologist”, Leading Edge Homes. Inc. at 561-795-2551.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

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HOME REMODELING: I MADE A HOMEOWNER CRY

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Builder, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance/Repairs

TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A REMODELING CONTRACTOR:  MAKING A HOMEOWNER CRY

Nothing is worse than having to tell a homeowner they have been scammed.

Nothing is worse than having to tell a homeowner they have been scammed.

 

MAKING A HOMEOWNER CRY

This has been one of the toughest month’s for me as a home remodeling contractor.

Two of the potential clients that I visited with were brought to tears and another one was strong enough to hold back the tears but realized they threw away money.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The first of my heart breaking experiences happened in Palm Beach Gardens.  A woman, had a leak, which unfortunately led to mold.

But… the people she hired to “fix it” removed anything and everything that they could, down to the metal studs that were part of her exterior walls.

There is no easy fix to put her home back together, especially because it is part of a quadruplex. The homeowners association won’t let her rip down what is remaining from the exterior walls and now they are in danger of collapsing, her insurance company is denying the claim, and the “friends” that helped her weren’t licensed.

WARNING:  ALWAYS VERIFY THAT THE PEOPLE YOU HIRE TO WORK ON YOUR HOME ARE PROPERLY LICENSED – read more – 

The only remedy she has is to hire a public adjuster to help her navigate the insurance company process and to hire a construction attorney to help her recoup her costs from the work that was done improperly.  Until she gets the homeowners association to grant her permission to fix the exterior walls, she is in limbo.

The next of my heart breaking experiences happened in Wellington where work was done without a permit and the second contractor is no where to be found.

A homeowner needed work done on his home. The “contractor” who only could work weekends was caught doing work on the home without a permit. The Village of Wellington issued a stop work order, fined the homeowner, and had the electric meter pulled from the house as a safety precaution.

The homeowner, after paying fines, hired another contractor. But, this contractor is now missing in action. I advised the homeowner that I could not do any work on the home unless the permit was closed. Like the previous homeowner, this job will remain in limbo until the legal ramifications are solved.

WARNING: FAILURE TO GET A PERMIT CAN CAUSE YOUR JOB TO BE SHUT DOWN! – read more 

The last my heart breaking experiences this week also happened in Wellington.

A homeowner wanted to remodel their kitchen and have an addition put on their home. They hired a draftsman to draw up the plans. The plans did not reflect what the homeowner wanted! The plans were what the designer wanted to draw.

As a design-build contractor I have seen this time and time again. Some draftsmen or architects don’t understand the big picture and don’t understand how things are tied together. The homeowner, throughout our meeting, kept saying “but that is what I wanted.”

It is very frustrating to me that homeowners waste money on plans that won’t work. It is not that every designer/draftsman does a poor job… but I have seen it way too many times that plans are not usable because they are incomplete, don’t meet the homeowner requirements, or they are drawn incorrectly.

I’D LIKE TO SCREAM FROM THE ROOF TOPS – HIRE A DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACTOR! IT GIVES YOU A CONTRACTOR THAT CAN NOT ONLY DRAW YOUR PLANS BUT ALSO BUILD THEM TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS! – read more

 BEFORE YOU CHOOSE TO DO A REMODEL

Think about how your change will effect the look of your home. Realize that the newer things may alter how the rest of your home looks. That doesn’t mean you don’t make changes.  But… think about how your changes can affect your vision of your home.

If you are changing the floors, do you want to change the doors, their thresholds, the moldings? If you are adding additional cabinets, how are you going to tie the cabinets together?  Will you need to resurface the old cabinets, change out all of the hardware, or replace everything?

Making all the cabinet pulls the same may not be so easy. How the new handles get installed may not cover old holes. The old hardware may not easily be removed.

When you do choose to remodel, look for someone with good listening skills who shares your vision for what your home should look like. Feel free to ask for references. Then, before you sign on the dotted line, check with your state to ensure your architect or custom builder is licensed in his or her field.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN PLANNING YOUR PROJECT

If you have questions about the design process or a project you are considering, contact your local design-build contractor, Leading Edge Homes. Inc. Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

For all of your new home, home remodeling and inspection needs, contact your local certified “roomologist”, Leading Edge Homes. Inc. at 561-795-2551.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

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HOME IMPROVEMENT: Common Mistakes 3 – Not Verifying Information

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Common Mistakes 3 – NOT VERIFYING INFORMATION

Leading Edge Homes - A Home Improvement Contractor You Can Trust

Home Improvement Contractors Provide References

When hiring a remodeling / home improvement contractor, it is common practice to ask for references.  In my experience, almost everyone asks me to provide references before they hire Leading Edge Homes, Inc.  

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. gladly provides references. But…

Most People Don’t Call References before they Hire A Home Improvement Contractor

Call at least three of the references you’re given.

You can never learn too much about the company you are considering using.  Take a few minutes to talk to these people.  It will be worth it!

Ask if the job was done to their satisfaction and at the agreed upon price.  Ask if the contractor was easy to communicate with and deal with.

Call the references and see example work.  You can learn a lot by seeing the finished product.  If the contractor is good, many previous clients are extremely proud of their “new” home and will be glad to let you look.

Also… VERIFY A Contractor’s Insurance

Anyone can say they are insured.  Insist the contractor prove it by having their insurance company FAX or mail to you a certificate of insurance with you as the certificate holder.

 

The most important advice I can give you is:

TRUST that you have chosen the right home remodeling professional to complete your home improvement project but VERIFY that what he has told you is true.

In case you missed it:

Common Mistake 1 – Listening to the Wrong People

Common Mistake 2 – Using Only the Better Business Bureau to Assess a Contractor’s Reputation Only

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes 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.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

 

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HOME IMPROVEMENT: Common Mistake 1 – Listening to the Wrong People

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

BIG MISTAKES HOMEOWNERS MAKE WHEN DOING A HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – PART 1

 

Just because someone is your relative, friend, or thinks they are well versed in construction, doesn’t mean they know the answers to your remodeling questions or problems.

Just because someone is your relative, friend, or thinks they are well versed in construction, doesn’t mean they know the answers to your remodeling questions or problems.

Listening to the wrong people.  

It never ceases to amaze me how many people take advice on their construction and remodeling project from people who are totally unqualified to give this critical advice.

Quite often, when I see construction messes (as many as three in one month) and I ask where they got the idea to do this or that, I inevitably hear things like:

My brother-in-law told me to do that.  He used to do work like this on the side over summers when he was in college 35 years ago.

I asked the guy in the office next to mine.  He did the same thing to his home when he lived in Wisconsin..

I read an article by so-and-so that said we should….

Everyone Has An Opinion

Everyone’s got an opinion on what you should do with your remodeling dollars.  “Do it yourself” or “Hire the subcontractors and run the project yourself”, etc.  Just because someone is your relative, friend, or thinks they are well versed in construction, doesn’t mean they know the answers to your remodeling questions or problems.

Call Someone Qualified

If you’ve got an idea or a thought about improving your home, call someone qualified to answer your questions.

 

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes 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.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT: THE LOWEST PRICE IS THE BEST OPTION – OR NOT

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

A MISCONCEPTION ABOUT HIRING A REMODELING CONTRACTOR

Price should not be the only factor when hiring a professional home remodeling contractor.

Price should not be the only factor when hiring a professional home remodeling contractor.

Choosing the lowest price saves you money. 

This is not always true!  Although a low price seems tempting, you must ask yourself what is the contractor omitting or what shortcut is the contractor taking?

A True Story:

One roofer’s price on a job was $300 lower than the other price estimates.  The homeowner wanted to save money and accepted his proposal.  After the roofer installed the new roof covering, all the old shingles, tarpaper and nails were lying all the way around the house in the shrubs, trees, and grass.  When the homeowner saw the debris strewn throughout his yard, he was enraged!  The contractor told him that cleanup was not a part of his proposal and that was how he could do the job for less money than the other contractors could.

Signs of Trouble

One of the most common signs of trouble ahead is someone offering to do work for less money than others do.  Like anything else, you cannot get something for nothing.  Be careful of choosing your home remodeling / general contractor based upon the lowest price.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes 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.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT: BEING YOUR OWN GENERAL CONTRACTOR CAN COST YOU

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement
So You Want to Be Your Own Contractor

Are you sure you want to be your own general contractor?

IT WILL BE LESS EXPENSIVE TO DO THE WORK YOURSELF — REALLY?

One of the most common misconceptions about home remodeling is that it will be less expensive to do the work yourself or act as your own general contractor.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE DOING A DIY HOME REMODELING PROJECT

There are many things to consider before beginning a home remodeling project on your own.

SUBCONTRACTOR LICENSE VERIFICATION

First, you need to verify that every subcontractor or tradesmen you hire has the correct license and carries insurance.  If a person does not have Worker’s Compensation Insurance, or an exemption, then you are liable for their lost wages and medical bills if they get hurt while working on your home.

WHAT IF THE TRADESMEN DAMAGE YOUR HOME?

What happens if one of the tradesmen damages your home?  Your homeowner’s policy will not cover the damage caused by them.  A general contractor carries both general liability and builder’s risk insurance policies to protect you.

PERMITS… PERMITS… PERMITS

Although you can typically pull a building permit for your job if you live in a single family home, will the subcontractors you hire be able to pull their permits?  If you live in a multi-family dwelling, you will not be able to pull your own building permit.

Failure to pull a permit can cost you three times the original cost of a permit if the building department catches you.

If you decide to pull your own building permit, you will have to schedule your inspections, may need to take time off from work to meet with building inspectors, and you will have to take responsibility for all the work performed on your home.

WILL YOU BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTIONS? – TAKE A VACATION DAY

You may have to rely on the electrician, plumber, mechanical contractor, and roofer to pull their own permits and schedule their own inspections.  You still may have to take time off from work to make your house available to them and their building inspectors.

How much is your time worth?  When you schedule subcontractors and inspectors to come to your home you must ensure access to your house

BUILDING CODES… HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW?

Do you know the latest building codes?  If you do not build to the current codes or hire subcontractors who do not build to the current Florida Building Codes, you could end up wasting money having to redo work.

PRICING…  YOU WILL PAY RETAIL FOR YOUR SUBCONTRACTORS

You may think you are saving money by contracting with trades directly, but they have multiple sets of prices.  One for contractors they work with all year long, one for the occasional contractor, and one for the public.   The public pays the highest price.

WHICH COMES FIRST… THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG?

It is critical to know the order in which subcontractors need to perform their work.  If you get the order wrong, you may need to remove a subcontractor’s work.  This will not only cost time, but money as well.

These are just a few of the potential issues that you may run into if you decide to act as your own general contractor.  Before following this path, consider the risks, the time you may waste, the monetary losses you could face, and the added stress of completing your home remodeling project.

 

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes 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.
To ask Todd a question, contact him at 561-795-2551 or visit the Leading Edge Home’s website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT: What to Expect When Remodeling

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Ten Things to Expect When Remodeling

Leading Edge Homes - Remodeling Dreams

Home improvement projects don’t happen overnight like they do on television. Know what to expect before you begin the process.

Dust.

Even when temporary plastic sheeting walls are erected, a fine layer of dust and dirt will still get passed it. Remember to change the air filters on your HVAC system often.

Noise.

There is no way to get around it – from circular saws to air guns and compressors, construction is noisy. Plan to take a daytime nap somewhere else or invest in a good set of ear muffs if the noise will bother you.

Soaring highs.

It may be the demolition of those ugly kitchen cabinets you’ve hated for years or the installation of drywall signaling a milestone toward completion. Celebrate them.
A few sighs. You may become tired of making so many decisions or writing large checks. Don’t be discouraged, it will be worth it when the project is complete.

 

The unexpected.

Lead based paint, crooked existing walls, or a cracked tie beam. No, you won’t be laughing but neither will the contractor.

Change orders.

You may want to upgrade materials or add to the scope of work. Yes it will cost more and the project may take longer, but you will be enjoying the new or remodeled area for years to come.

Cash concerns.

You may start getting upset over the amount of money you are spending, especially if you have made many change orders. A good rule of thumb is to set aside a minimum of 10% of the project cost for extras. Doing so will help alleviate some of the stress.

Delays.

Rain storms, sub-contractors not showing up, materials on back order – the list is endless. Construction is far from a perfect world. You need to be resilient.

Decisions.

Where do you want the switches, how high should the fixture be hung, oil-rubbed bronze or chrome? Count on lots of questions. Your selection of a contractor is just the first of many decisions you will have to make.

A party.

When everything is complete, you are going to want to show off your project. It’s fun for both you and your guests to see a beautifully finished home.

 

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.
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Home Improvement: Don’ts from a Contractor’s Point of View

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

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.
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