Home Improvement Tips and Repair Advice
Starting Your Home Improvement Project
The first step in any home improvement project is to make a plan. One of the most important steps of a successful do-it-yourself home improvement project is creating a game plan for the job. The home improvement tips outlined below and in each section of our website and Annual Report will be useful as you create your blueprint and answer several important questions.
What is the scope of the repair or home improvement project? What is your timeline? What is your budget? Could there be hidden challenges that have not been considered? If so, do you have the financial wherewithal to handle these additional costs? Have you done your homework to identify expert advice and common pitfalls? Does your neighborhood have building codes and restrictions that should be considered? Will you be without essential home items (bathroom, kitchen, and etc.)? If so, what is your contingency plan? Do you have the time and ability to manage the project yourself? Who will be assisting you with improvements and repairs along the way?
Do it yourself project or hire a General Contractor? If you have the skills and are willing to put forth the effort, you can often save money by managing the home improvement project yourself. Use resources like the home maintenance checklist, be careful to follow the do it yourself tips outlined throughout this site and to do your due diligence.
On the other hand, if the scope of your home repair project is significant or your time is limited, it may be helpful to seek outside advice and hire a "homeowner approved" contractor to help manage the effort. A General Contractor is a construction professional who knows several trades and hires trade specialists called subcontractors to handle certain aspects of home improvement, repair and remodeling jobs such as electrical, plumbing, and etc. The General Contractor is responsible for coordinating the work and for paying the “subs” that have been hired to help. Most states require that a General Contractor be licensed or certified, so be sure to clarify your General Contractor’s credentials and get his license number.
Tips on Selecting The Right Home Improvement Contractor
Be leery of the door-to-door salesman who offers unbelievable deals. As the old saying “if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true”. Do your research and select a contractor that offers an appropriate balance of work quality and price.
Don’t be coerced by high pressure sales tactics. High pressure sales techniques come from sales quotas that have been imposed on workers to motivate “volume” of work rather than quality of work. If these workers don’t make their quotas, they don’t get paid. Because of this inherent conflict of interest, these workers often push for a larger job or higher price than needed. Don’t get “sold”!
Avoid contractors’ employees who offer to do the home repair job or improvement for less. If they are willing to steal from their company, you may not want them in/around your home. Moreover, they may not have the appropriate levels of experience or insurance coverage needed for the work. Finally, if they fail to perform the job effectively, you could have a harder time getting your differences resolved.
Seek home improvement references from trusted sources like HomeServiceReports.org. Our membership selection has been based on countless hours of research and extensive homeowner feedback. Because of our due diligence, you are more likely to be satisfied with the quality of work provided by our members. Other useful sources of information are your neighbors, friends, family and co-workers. But remember, one reference is not enough to make a strategic selection.
Get as many references as possible. Every company has at least a few satisfied clients. For reasons outlined above, HomeServiceReports.org conducts exhaustive research before endorsing a home service provider. Likewise, we recommend that you seek as many personal references as possible, particularly if you go outside the HomeServiceReport.org membership base.
Interview at least 3 companies, and ask them the tough questions. We recommend that you interview several contractors before making your final selection. How long have they been in business? Are members of the Better Business Bureau? What is their Contractor’s License number? Do they have “before” and “after” pictures? Will they set up a site visit with a previously served customer so you can inspect their work firsthand? How do they resolve “punch items”? Can they explain common pitfalls of the work? Can they show proof of insurance and workers' compensation? You get the picture.
Get at least 3 “apples-to-apples” home improvement or repair quotes. Make sure to clearly outline what you want completed and that you get comparable quotes from at least three providers. Cheaper does not always mean better. Go with the combination of price and quality that makes the most sense given your needs and budget.
Don’t ignore the importance of chemistry. It may sound silly, but don’t ignore the importance of liking the company that you bring into your home. All things being equal, it’s helpful to choose a project partner who you trust and who you can talk with openly about your project, especially if problems arise.
More Tips And Advice For Choosing a Home Improvement Company
Get a written contract. Most reputable companies require a written agreement for the work to be performed. Be sure to read the contract carefully, and get written approval from a company representative if you have requested and secured approval for exceptions to normal operating procedure. This important step could minimize headaches down the road.
Include release-of-lien clause on the contract. If your contractor will be using subcontractors to complete the job, be sure to include a release-of-lien clause to protect yourself. By doing so, subcontractors will not be able to place a lien on your property if the contractor does not pay them or otherwise breaks the legal terms of their working arrangement.
Avoid large deposits. As the old saying goes, “money is power”. Once you’ve paid for the job, you lose all of your leverage. Most reputable companies will accept a minimum deposit, with balances due at regular intervals over the project’s timeline or when the job has been completed. At each payment stage, be sure that you are satisfied with completed work before proceeding to the next step.
Don’t leave your home unattended or unprotected. Whenever possible, make sure you are (or someone you trust is) available to “supervise” contractors in your home. If you become comfortable with a contractor and trust him alone in your home, it’s still good idea to lock up your valuables. Even the best intentioned people fall on hard luck from time-to-time and may be motivated to take something of value.
Don’t help contractors or lend them tools. Resist the temptation to help a contractor complete a task or loan him one of your tools. If the contractor is injured in either of these scenarios, he may be able to make a tort claim against you. Furthermore, many homeowners have reported that borrowed items were either not returned or were broken at the end of the project.
Don’t make a final payment until the job has been done right. Money is your main source of leverage when completing a home improvement project. Don’t weaken your position by paying too early in the process. And never make the final payment until your “punch” list is resolved to your full satisfaction.
Lodge unresolved issues with the contractor’s licensing board or the Better Business Bureau. Contractors are people too, and will make mistakes from time-to-time. Good companies will do everything they can to resolve these problems fairly. Occasionally, however, a less reputable contractor will not be responsive to your needs. In these instances, report the contractor to his licensing board and request an arbitration hearing. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau or bring a suit against the contractor in small claims court to remedy the situation.
Home Improvement Advice And Tips For Specific Projects
For information about specific home improvement projects, please select one of the following links: