This guide highlights some important and often overlooked details involved in ensuring your remodeling project runs as smoothly as possible.
1. Locate an established and reputable service provider. Good sources of client testimonials of reputable providers are sites such as Angie’s List. You should be able to simply Google the company name to view their online reviews and presence. Most reputable construction companies also have a professionally maintained website highlighting images of their recent work.
2. It is best to have at least three licensed contractors submit a bid for your project. Each bid should include significant detail, including a line-by-line scope of work, product allowances, and what you’ll be expected to provide (i.e. cabinetry, tile, etc.).
3. Here are some questions to ask your prospective contractors:
4. Your service provider should carry liability insurance. This is not a state-mandated requirement. Request copies of their liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, and contractor’s state license. You can validate the license and owner information on the California State Labor Board (CSLB) website. Additionally, your provider should be responsible for permits as the permit applicant is the individual responsible for maintaining OSHA, workers compensation, and liability insurance.
5. Here are some questions to ask yourself before starting a major project:
6. Once you have selected a service provider, ensure they supply you with a CSLB-approved contract that includes an approximate start date and completion date, and an itemized payment schedule. It’s probably a good idea to double check the math to make sure everything adds up to the total amount. You should review the contract in its entirety to make sure you agree with everything. Make sure that your contractor provides you a signed copy after you return it to them.
7. Product delays can happen, especially with custom products. To mitigate the potential aggravating effects of delays, try to have your product selected and delivered as early as possible. Ideally, your products will be onsite on the job start date. Here is a partial list of items that are prone to occasional delays:
8. A useful budgeting heuristic is to assume a 10% overage on project costs, caused by some combination of design changes, special requests, product delays, etc.
About the Author: Ed Bourke has thirty-five years of experience in the construction industry, including 20 as the owner of Bourke Construction Inc., a full-service remodeling company located in Laguna Beach, CA. He has been consulted and quoted in a number of construction journals and articles.
1. Locate an established and reputable service provider. Good sources of client testimonials of reputable providers are sites such as Angie’s List. You should be able to simply Google the company name to view their online reviews and presence. Most reputable construction companies also have a professionally maintained website highlighting images of their recent work.
2. It is best to have at least three licensed contractors submit a bid for your project. Each bid should include significant detail, including a line-by-line scope of work, product allowances, and what you’ll be expected to provide (i.e. cabinetry, tile, etc.).
3. Here are some questions to ask your prospective contractors:
- What hours can we expect you to be in our home? Do you work weekends?
- Who should I contact in case of an emergency?
- What is the general roadmap for the project?
- What steps will be taken to protect my home during work?
- Where will tools and materials be stored?
- Will you provide lien releases after payment?
- Do you have samples of work related to mine? Can I do a site visit on some of your recent work?
- Do you have client testimonials available?
4. Your service provider should carry liability insurance. This is not a state-mandated requirement. Request copies of their liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, and contractor’s state license. You can validate the license and owner information on the California State Labor Board (CSLB) website. Additionally, your provider should be responsible for permits as the permit applicant is the individual responsible for maintaining OSHA, workers compensation, and liability insurance.
5. Here are some questions to ask yourself before starting a major project:
- Do my pets need to be restricted to a certain part of my house or boarded?
- Do I want a lockbox on my home for the contractor, or do I want to be home to let them in and out?
- Will my home be live-able during the project, or do we need to make other arrangements?
- Do service providers have access to restroom facilities?
6. Once you have selected a service provider, ensure they supply you with a CSLB-approved contract that includes an approximate start date and completion date, and an itemized payment schedule. It’s probably a good idea to double check the math to make sure everything adds up to the total amount. You should review the contract in its entirety to make sure you agree with everything. Make sure that your contractor provides you a signed copy after you return it to them.
7. Product delays can happen, especially with custom products. To mitigate the potential aggravating effects of delays, try to have your product selected and delivered as early as possible. Ideally, your products will be onsite on the job start date. Here is a partial list of items that are prone to occasional delays:
- Tile
- Faucets
- Cabinets
- Windows
- Casings
- Baseboards
- Paint
8. A useful budgeting heuristic is to assume a 10% overage on project costs, caused by some combination of design changes, special requests, product delays, etc.
About the Author: Ed Bourke has thirty-five years of experience in the construction industry, including 20 as the owner of Bourke Construction Inc., a full-service remodeling company located in Laguna Beach, CA. He has been consulted and quoted in a number of construction journals and articles.
RSS Feed
