 |
...Continued - Page 3 of 3 (
1
2
3
)
Related Showrooms
• Renovation Experts - Put your home in good hands. Get FREE estimates on your project.
Whitehorn also cautions against relying too heavily on references. “References can be helpful, but keep in mind that most contractors will have a list of their favorite customers they use as references,” he says. “So, I wouldn’t overrate the importance of that.”
| | | |  | |  | | | | | Choosing a Remodeling Professional When you’re putting so much money and trust into another person’s hands, it essential to know you’re hiring a qualified professional. Beyond doing due diligence by checking for complaints on the Better Business Bureau web site and other similar sites, it’s smart to choose a professional certified by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, says Harth, who notes that in places like his home state of Pennsylvania, licensing is not required for contractors. “You need a license to do someone’s nails, but not to work on their house,” he says. “By choosing a local professional who’s a NARI contractor, you know you’re getting someone reputable.” Here are a few warning signs from NARI that you may be dealing with a remodeler who is less than reputable: - You can't verify the name, address, telephone number or credentials of the remodeler.
- The company or salesperson says your home will be used for advertising purposes so you will be given a "special, low rate."
- The builder/remodeler tells you a special price is available only if you sign the contract "today."
- No references are furnished.
- Information you receive from the contractor is out-of-date or no longer valid.
- You are unable to verify the license or insurance information.
- You are asked to pay for the entire job in advance or to pay in cash to a salesperson instead of by check or money order to the company itself.
- The company cannot be found in the telephone book and is not listed with the local Better Business Bureau or with a local trade association, such as NARI.
- The contractor does not offer, inform or extend notice of your right to cancel the contract within three days. Notification in writing of your Right of Rescission is required by law. This grace period allows you to change your mind and declare the contract null and void without penalty (if the agreement was solicited at some place other than the contractor's place of business or appropriate trade premises-in your home, for instance).
In addition, be cautious when:
- You are given vague or reluctant answers.
- The contractor exhibits poor communication skills or descriptive abilities.
- The contractor is not accessible.
- Your questions are not answered to your satisfaction.
- The contractor is impatient and does not listen.
- Only the work is addressed instead of your needs as the homeowner.
- There is no book of previous projects presented.
| | | | | | | | | | | Beyond liking a contractor’s work, feeling confident about their business practices and agreeing on budget, there’s one more factor homeowners shouldn’t overlook, says Colin O’Neill, co-owner with Whitehorn of Kitchen and Bath Unlimited. “You’re speaking to somebody who you’re thinking about giving tens of thousands of dollars to make drastic changes to your home,” he says. “You really need to be able to trust them on a personal level.”
Carefully Consider Why You Want More Space
Carefully considering why you want or need more space is essential in deciding how to go about your addition. You might be surprised that what you thought you wanted isn’t actually the best answer to your problem, says Harth.
“We really take a look at the house as a whole and how the space is used,” he says. Harth says he worked with a family recently who contacted him about adding square footage to their home for a playroom. “They said they were tired of constantly stepping over the kids’ toys,” Harth says. “But once I really got in and looked around, I realized a better solution to their space problem would be adding a master bedroom suite and turning the old bedroom into a playroom.”
One reason this was a better solution was because the return on investment (ROI) of master bedroom suites is better than that of playrooms. And even if you plan on staying in your home for many years, it’s still wise to consider how appealing your addition will be to future buyers.
So, what are the most “profitable” additions? Bartmasser says adding bathrooms and expanding kitchens are perennial winners. Harth agrees that kitchen expansions or additions have a very high ROI, and he adds that he’s seeing a lot of requests for second-story additions and master bedroom suites, as well, and those also pay off when it comes time to sell. In fact, according to Remodel Magazine’s most recent Cost vs. Value report, second story additions recoup more than 80 percent of their cost in most parts of the country.
And again, it’s important to consider not just the “average” return on investment but also what’s right for your area and your immediate neighborhood. Don’t do too much, says Barile, or you may find diminishing returns on your investment. “It’s so important to consider the other homes around and what’s typical for the area,” he says. “You don’t want to create a Renoir in a neighborhood of art prints.”
Be a Good Client
Adding onto your home can be an exciting time but also a time marked by stress and money pressures. While your contractor, architect and designers are there to work for you, it’s imperative that you understand what it means to be a good client, says O’Neill.
“Choose a contractor you really trust,” he says. “What happens a lot of times is people will make that choice based on the wrong criteria, like putting too much—or not enough—emphasis on price, then they try to micromanage the person rather than letting them do their job and then holding them accountable for the results. Take the time, hire the right person, trust them to give you the end result, and you’ll have success.”
|
Text by Alyson McNutt English
© 2008 BobVila.com
...Continued - Page 3 of 3 (
1
2
3
)
< Previous Page
- Add To:
-
 Del.icio.us
-
 Digg
-
 Google
-
 Y! MyWeb
-
 Reddit
-
 Technorati
|
|
Related Articles
Related Tips
Related Videos
