A home improvement project, whether adding onto your home or renovating an unused space, can turn your house into your dream home, or become the Nightmare on Elm Street. It all depends on planning and making the right decisions.
Planning, in fact, is the cornerstone of any home improvement project. Make up your mind about what you want and how much you can afford to spend.
Be specific when talking to your contractor. Work with the contractor to provide clear, detailed specifications and include them in your written contract.
Create a realistic budget. That means finding out what's involved in your particular project. A trip to the home center store might be in order to learn what building materials cost. If you have a good understanding of what's involved in your project you'll be better able to work with your contractor.
Hiring the right contractor, or course, is extremely important. There are many highly qualified and reputable home improvement contractors in the industry who use reliable materials, hire trained subcontractors, and perform superior for a fair price. The trick is separating them from all the others who don't.
Probably the best way to begin your search is to ask friends and family for references. If someone you know and trust has had a good experience, chances are you will too.
Interview two or three contractors and check out their local references with friends, neighbors, or former clients who are familiar with the contractor's work, his or her business practices, and the contractor's reputation for reliability. Ask to see examples of their work.
In most states contractors and subcontractors performing residential home improvements on owner-occupied homes must be registered. Ask to see the contractor's registration certificate. Being registered is no guarantee the contractor is a good one, but it automatically weeds out the fly-by-night operations.
Part of the interview process should be a detailed discussion of your project and a request for a written estimate. Get bids from at least two or three contractors that include detailed specifications for the job, the materials, labor, timeline, and the total charges for the work.
Part of checking out a contractor is to see if there are any consumer complaints. Do a search at ConsumerAffairs.com and check with your state attorney general's office. Your county building and zoning office may also maintain records of complaints and judgments entered against contractors.
Don't start any home improvement project without a written contract. A home improvement contract is a written agreement defining exactly what work will be performed, the materials used, the start and completion dates, the total cost of the project, and a payment schedule. A well-written, detailed contract will provide clear expectations for you and the contractor.
Your best protection to avoid home improvement problems is, wherever possible, by being actively involved in every step of your project, from the initial planning to the finished product, and by knowing and asserting your legal rights.
Copyright 2010 consumeraffairs.com
