Getting ready to remodel? Anticipating the common contractor problems
and heading them off before they happen is the best approach. Here are the most
common complaints:
1. Contractor doesn’t return your phone calls asking them to give you a
cost proposal for the work. This usually means they are too busy, or they don't
really want the job. Don't even start working with this one.
2. Contractor gives a flaky and incomplete estimate for the work to be
done, making you uncertain what is and isn't covered in the price. Make
sure you are comfortable that you know what is going to be done and what you
are paying for, before hiring your contractor.
3. Contractor doesn’t show up on the day they say they're coming, and
then they show up on a day when you aren't expecting them. If this is a problem
for you, make sure you are clear up front that not showing up and not calling
is grounds for dismissal.
4. Contractor doesn’t organize their material ordering, so that critical
components don’t show up when needed. This can delay construction and last-minute
substitutions aren’t ever as good as what you really wanted. One way to avoid
this is to order all the exotic granite slabs, light fixtures, appliances, and
plumbing fixtures yourself in advance.
5. Contractor doesn’t look at the drawings or doesn’t understand the
drawings, so they just do what they want rather than asking what you had in
mind. Drawings are part of the construction contract. If the contractor builds
or installs something that is not consistent with drawings you can insist that
he re-do the work.
6. Contractor doesn’t let you know before they do the work what that
little change you requested is going to cost. Extra costs should always be
discussed and agreed to before the work is done. Well-organized contractors
will have you sign change orders before starting the work. This eliminates
nasty surprises on your final bill.
7. Contractor loses interest near the end of the job (or they've already
started the next job), so it's difficult to get them to address the little
details that need adjusting or touching up. Never pay the contractor in full before his
work is done. You want to hold back a large enough sum of money so that he has
incentive to finish up and get paid. For small jobs this might be 50% of the
total cost, or several thousand dollars at a minimum.
On larger projects your architect will help you anticipate problems,
periodically check the construction to make sure it conforms to the drawings,
and help keep the job running smoothly.
