Home Improvement

5 Things to Be Aware of When Working With Contractors

Story Highlights
  • 1 - Have a clear understanding of what you want
  • 2 - Request a detailed quotation
  • 3 - Reduce the scope and pay for a proper contractor
  • 4 - Create a list of non-negotiable items
  • 5 - Do research on different products

So you have finally decided to take the leap and renovate your house.

This exciting event is often dampened by the construction bill you get at the end of the project. Suddenly, the amount is way more than you agreed on with extras being added without your knowledge.

As a homeowner, it is difficult enough as it is to count every penny before paying the mortgage and spending it on building costs.

Here are a few things contractors might be hiding from you. and if you are aware of them, it might spare you a serious heartache:

1 – Have a clear understanding of what you want

It is important that you know exactly what you want and it is even more important that your construction company knows what you want.

Construction and labour can get quite expensive, which means you can simply not afford to change your mind at the last minute.

You will be charged for this and any extra materials needed for such a change. Communicate your ideas properly to your contractor, so that there isn’t any room left for doubt or confusion.

If they have to come back to fix something you didn’t communicate to them, they will charge you.

2 – Request a detailed quotation

You need to be assertive when asking for a quotation. Don’t just accept a rough estimate or some figures scribbled on a serviette.

Demand a proper quotation that contains all the figures and all the expected costs. This way you know exactly what to expect when the bill comes at the end of the construction project.

Make sure that you scrutinize the quotation before you accept it. If you are unhappy with something you need to clear that up with the contractor.

Many contractors give a ballpark figure and when they come half-way they start charging for things that “you weren’t quoted for”.

3 – Reduce the scope and pay for a proper contractor

Construction materials are expensive and nothing comes cheap.

If you hire a cheap contractor who will promise you your dream home at a fraction of your budget then you should start seeing red flags.

Rather reduce the scope of what you want and spend the money on a reputable construction company that won’t leave you with an unfinished house in the middle of building. You can do smaller sections at a time and create the house you want over a period of a few years.

4 – Create a list of non-negotiable items

This brings us to the next point: if you decide to reduce the scope and get rid of instalments or fixtures you might not need right now, don’t dismiss the things you really need.

If you are starting a family and you really need the extra space, be clear about constructing a new room in the house. Maybe you can scratch the hole for the pool and leave it until you have a bigger budget. A list of wants and needs is always helpful in cases like this.

5 – Do research on different products

Just because you have left construction in the hands-on someone else does not mean that you should slack.

Do research on the quality of different products and make sure that your contractor gets quotations from those specific companies. This will influence your budget and the quality of the work being done and if you do proper research, you will get to decide what goes and what stays.

If you do proper planning for the selection of your contractor, as well as the construction process, it won’t be as messy as people make it out to be. Clear communication and a hands-on approach are required for a successful project.

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