Starting a renovation project in your home can be a dream come true. After all, you’ve probably been collecting ideas and saving money for years.
However, it’s important to be aware of some of the secret things your residential construction team might fail to tell you at the beginning of the project, that can affect the outcome and cost of your project in the end.
1. The Bid Was Low
In an effort to win your business, many contractors will underbid projects so you think you’re getting a great deal. Then come to find out, halfway through the project, more needs to be done and the original quote is added onto in the form of addendums, and extra dollar signs.
In addition, some construction teams will underbid you because they simply don’t know what they’re doing and thus they have no idea how to quote the project.
Make sure you hire an experienced team if you’re going to rely on them to complete your entire project. And, get at least three quotes from separate companies to make sure the pricing seems fair.
2. Time is Sparse
It’s not unusual for a contractor to collect a deposit before starting on your remodel project. After all, this guarantees the contractor will work for you and serves to buy initial materials needed for the job.
However, many contractors, in an effort to make as much money as possible, will collect a large deposit upfront from many clients, promising all of them deadlines they know will be impossible to hit.
And, since most people expect delays when it comes to large renovation projects, your 3-month project turning in a 6-month project might not be a big deal to you.
Or is it?
If you have a deadline set for your project, make sure the contractor sticks to the contracted end date and follows through with what they say they’re going to do. If you find that the team is failing to show up when they’re suppose to, get what money back you can and find someone else to finish the job.
And don’t give a contractor too much money upfront. Breaking payments up will incentivize them to finish the job.
3. They’re Not OSHA Certified
You may not know anything about OSHA. But what you should know is that residential construction teams are not required to be OSHA certified. This means that those working on your home project may not be trained in how to be safe while on the job.
This is especially alarming because something like an OSHA 30 hour general industry course can educate anyone in the construction industry how to be safe on the job. And, while your construction team better have insurance, you don’t want a serious injury occurring on your property, especially if it’s because the workers don’t know how to be safe.
While there are other things your contractor may not be telling you, these are the main things to look for the next time you decide to renovate your home. Especially if you’re hiring one team to do it all.
Author: Lindsay Liedke
