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"As
a rule of thumb you can have any 2 of the following,
time/price/quality, you cannot have all three. For
economy and speed expect to see quality drop. For
low price and quality, expect the project to take
more time. For high quality and a timely completion,
expect costs to be higher."
-
Patience
is the quality you have to have more than any other.
You may have some surprises - that is just the
nature of the business - but the professionals will
always help you work through them.
-
"When
designing the home expect to pay the architect about
10% of the overall cost of the project."
-
The
more complete the blueprints the smoother things
will run throughout the project.
-
"Never
pay for the work to be done up-front. A 10% deposit
is sufficient, but be aware that if anything more is
requested it should be taken as a warning
sign."
-
"Price
per square foot varies for projects, but be prepared
to pay $210 per square foot as a starting point
(allowing for regional differences)."
-
There
are two ways contractor remodelers approach the cost
of projects. First is the traditional "fixed
cost" approach. In this instance a remodeler
will work with you to design and specify the
project, then provide you with a firm estimate of
the cost. This estimate then becomes the basis for
the contracted cost (your bottom line). Any changes
are handled through written change orders, and the
bottom line is adjusted accordingly. The second
approach is "cost plus", where the
remodeler charges for the actual cost of materials
and labor, plus a markup for overhead and profit. An
initial estimate is still provided, so clients have
a sense of what a project will cost, but the actual
cost is determined as the project progresses. This
type of contract gives you greater control and
greater responsibility.
-
Some
contractors have subcontractors and suppliers that
they must pay, so prompt payment is always
appreciated.
-
"If
at all possible use a designer. They help with the
ordering and scheduling of you fixtures and
accessories. This gives you a single point of
contact for late delivery and damaged good. Their
cost should be estimated into your overall budget
for the job."
-
Avoid
any major design changes after the project has
started. It throws the subcontractors off schedule
resulting in lengthy delays and increased prices.
-
"Never
sacrifice value and quality for more space. You will
regret this down the line. You can get a better
product if you build smaller and smarter. The
"starter castles" that we have become
accustomed to lack the very essence of what we all
want in a home. Charm and warmth."
-
"If
at all possible, vacate the house during the
project. Try to coordinate a vacation during the
busiest part of the project, especially the parts
that involve demolition, floor refinishing and
drywall work."
-
"Anticipate
delays. Build them into the schedule. Whether it is
the ordering, shipping or even manufacturing
processes, all these can play havoc with a tightly
scheduled project."
-
"Plan
for change orders. They can be costly. Anticipate an
additional 15% if you start to deviate from the
original plans."
-
"Ivy
and other vines may look wonderful on the side of a
house, but they can severely damage siding, stucco
or the exterior brickwork of a house. The problems
are concealed by the foliage and can cause a lot of
future problems."
-
"Avoid
any major redesign changes after the project has
started. It throws the subcontractor off schedule
resulting in lengthy delays and increased
prices."
-
"Don't
try to be your own general contractor. You will
run into situations that will require an expert in
the field of construction and construction
management to resolve, either with the
subcontractors or with products or job
sequencing."
-
"Water
is one of the primary causes of damage to a house.
The resolution of water problems can often be very
cheap and simple. Install gutter down spouts that
move water draining off the structure to at least 5
feet away from the walls and foundations."
-
Suggested
reading: "Creating the Not So Big House,"
by Sarah Susanka.
-
"Always
check the references of your contractors and
architects. If possible, go to a previous job of
theirs and bring a critical eye."
-
Do
not think you can GC the job yourself. You will run
into situations out of your league that takes an
expert to resolve, either with subcontractors,
products or sequencing.
-
Get
at least 3 written bids. DON'T always choose the
lowest bidder - almost all complaints to the DA's
office are contractors with very low bids. You get
what you pay for.
-
Your
project is not a commodity. Although three
contractors may bid on your remodel, the chances are
they are providing very different finished products.
Unless you have a set of specifications for all to
bid on, you won't be comparing apples to apples.
-
Have
a survey of your site done. Have a civil engineer
draw one up. The survey generally should include not
only the property's legal description (known in the
trade as the "metes and bounds"), but also
the presence or absence of utilities such as gas,
water or electricity, and sewage. It should also
show rights-of-way, reserves or utility easements
that might prevent you from building on certain
parts of your property.
-
In
the Construction Contract completion clauses can be
a great idea for homeowners who must move out during
the remodeling process. They ensure that the
homeowners can recoup some of their costs if they
end up paying rent for additional months because
their projects are languishing. But if you want to
include a completion clause, you should also include
a similar time-triggered incentive.
-
Somewhere
in the agreement you should also account for
unexpected extras or changes that you request.
Extras and changes are a consistent source of
friction between homeowners and contractors, often
because the price is not clearly communicated up
front. Your contract should stipulate that if a
change is required, the nature and cost of the
modification must be noted in writing before the
work is done.
-
The
Contract should require the contractor warranty his
work and materials and provide the manufacturer's
warranties for materials and appliances installed in
the home.
-
Remember.
Good planning now saves time and money once the
project begins. The clearer you are on your wants
and needs, the better the remodeler will be to meet
them. Now is the time to get educated about product.
Go out and visit the showrooms of different
suppliers, be it kitchens, appliances, tile or a
combination.
-
Remodeling
is really a series of problems that have to be
solved. Ultimately that is what the customer is
paying for, our ability to spot those problems and
address them.
-
Yes,
there will be dust, but when it settles you will
have a project that increases the enjoyment of your
home and makes your life better.
