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How to Work With a Remodeler
Avoid costly mistakes and get exactly the upgrade you want for your home by working with a professional remodeler
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
Lifestyles evolve over time, and so do our homes. Babies are born; kids grow up and leave the nest; aging parents join the household. And even if a house functions just the way it needs to, changing design trends and new materials can leave older spaces looking a little musty and dusty.
That's where a professional remodeler comes in. Read on to find out what a remodeler can do for you and how to get the most out of your experience.
That's where a professional remodeler comes in. Read on to find out what a remodeler can do for you and how to get the most out of your experience.
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| What a remodeler does: A remodeler is a contractor with a focus on making structural alterations to an existing home or building. He or she implements architectural plans and sometimes provides residential design services. Remodelers also perform many of the same duties as a general contractor, such as hiring and overseeing subcontractors and sourcing materials. Many states have certification requirements for remodelers. When to hire one: If you're planning a significant change or addition to your home, hire a remodeling contractor to ensure the integrity of the design and construction, and also to ensure that you'll meet current building codes. Remodelers also are well versed in cost estimating, legal issues and other nuts and bolts concerns. What it will cost: Remodelers' fees take several different forms, and costs vary widely depending on the nature of the work and the materials used. While some will agree to a flat fee, others charge a percentage of the total labor and materials costs (typically 10 to 15 percent, but sometimes as high as 25 percent). It's worth noting that, as with many aspects of home improvement, you get what you pay for — a remodeler who may charge more but has deep experience and a sterling reputation is generally worth the extra cost. Don't hire based on the lowest estimate alone. Where to find one: Browse the directory of professionals on Houzz or listings of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Check to see if there are remodelers' trade organizations in your area as well. Another professional you're working with, such as an interior designer, also may be able to give you leads. If you notice that one of your neighbors is having work done (remodelers often place a sign with their name and logo in the front yard during construction), ask whether they'd recommend the professional they've hired. |
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Have a clear idea of what you want. Maybe you're looking to double the size and change the footprint of a dated kitchen, or perhaps you want to convert your attic into a guest suite. Think through the scope of the project you have in mind and create a Houzz ideabook or cull other design resources for inspiration. Don't worry too much about whether every detail is feasible; your remodeler will help you brainstorm alternatives if it isn't.
Interview the candidates on your short list. Not only should you confirm that they have experience with the type of project you have in mind, but you'll also want to be sure that you have a good rapport and communicate well.
Ask detailed questions about job history, professional training and affiliations, licensing requirements and insurance, and get the names of a few references. If lead paint is a concern in your home, you may also need to confirm that the remodeler is lead-safe certified under EPA guidelines.
Visit an in-progress job site. Ask to drop by one of the remodeler's current job sites. This can give you a sneak peek at what your experience might be like. Is the site clean and well maintained, and does work appear to be progressing in an orderly fashion? Look closely at the quality of the construction and the attention to detail as well.
Interview the candidates on your short list. Not only should you confirm that they have experience with the type of project you have in mind, but you'll also want to be sure that you have a good rapport and communicate well.
Ask detailed questions about job history, professional training and affiliations, licensing requirements and insurance, and get the names of a few references. If lead paint is a concern in your home, you may also need to confirm that the remodeler is lead-safe certified under EPA guidelines.
Visit an in-progress job site. Ask to drop by one of the remodeler's current job sites. This can give you a sneak peek at what your experience might be like. Is the site clean and well maintained, and does work appear to be progressing in an orderly fashion? Look closely at the quality of the construction and the attention to detail as well.
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| Be sure you understand the terms of the contract. Once you've chosen a pro, go over the contract in detail to be sure you won't encounter any surprises. Besides basics such as contact information for the remodeler and others who will be supervising, license number and insurance information, it should include a start-to-finish timetable, a materials list with price breakdowns, payment terms, change order specifications, blueprints or detailed sketches and provisions for conflict resolution. Don't be shy about asking the remodeler to clarify any details you find confusing. Confirm which areas of your home the project will affect. You may be remodeling a single room, but the temporary disruption could extend to adjacent spaces. Plumbing, electrical wiring and other behind-the-walls systems might be affected as well. Ask the remodeler which rooms the work will touch so that you can prepare accordingly. |
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| Do your part to make the remodeler's job easier. Clear out furniture from affected rooms, be sure the work crew has adequate space to park and transport materials, and make provisions to keep pets and kids well out of the way. Give the remodeler an idea of your family's daily schedule and stick to it as closely as possible to minimize disruptions to the workflow. Make sure you're easily reachable even when you're not onsite. And if you decide to make a change along the way, try not to drag out the decision-making process, which can throw the timetable significantly off schedule. Don't wait to call attention to issues. Few, if any, remodeling jobs reach the finish line without a few bumps and snags along the way. Speak up as soon as a problem arises, whether it's substandard work quality, a communication breakdown or a subcontractor who leaves the site in disarray. That way, you and the remodeler can agree on a plan to resolve it as soon as possible, before work proceeds too far — and you'll feel reassured that you'll be completely satisfied when it comes time to make the final payment for the job. |
Ideabook updated on Oct. 2, 2012.
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I do wonder if there is a professional qualification for remodelers and builders to be certified to modify homes for the aged or disabled, similar to receiving license endorsements for handling lead and asbestos. With the increasing trend toward aging in place, even a remodel undertaken in ones 40s or 50s should consider the not-too-distant future self. What acronyn or agency should I look for to determine if the builder is qualified to deal with the needs of the aged?
Thanks for a great article.
Besides NARI and HOUZZ, the National Association of Home Builders is also an excellent resource for finding remodeling professionals.
http://www.nahb.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=667
Janine,
You make a great point, but why only think about aging-in-place/universal design elements when remodeling at 40-50?
Shouldn't we consider the human life cycle as we design and build our nations new housing stock and at any age when one is remodeling a home?
Anne points out the CAPS designation and mentions universal design.
One can learn more about the NAHB CAPS designation by visiting:
http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=717&genericContentID=46799
more about Universal Design -
Center For Universal Design/NC State University:
http://www.ncsu.edu/www/ncsu/design/sod5/cud/index.htm
The R.L. Mace Universal Design Institute, Chapel Hill North Carolina:
http://www.udinstitute.org/
See our profile for an example(5009) of a new home with a no-step entry. Other features included ground level living and an accessible kitchen and master suite.
rt
rtlincoln.com
etc? As a professional kitchen and bath designer with over 30 years of experience, I've seen many poorly designed and executed kitchens and baths.
In all cases, the homeowners had not worked with a professional kitchen and bath designer. We specialize in designing the two most complex and costly rooms in the house. In remodeling your kitchen or bath, it's very important that the opportunity to improve the space is not wasted. And this is where we are the homeowners' best friend and advisor. We bring to the job creative problem solving, great deal of highly specialized knowledge, experience and expertise.
We have studied college level courses, passed difficult exams in order to be certified by the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) and we are continuously learning to keep up with the latest and maintain our certification.
But more than that, we have a passion for improving our clients' lives through great design and some of us have dedicated our lives to this goal.
Kitchen and bath design is a very different beast from designing or remodeling other rooms in the house and that's why now many colleges around the country offer a 4 year degree in it. And if I could add just one more thing, it would be this:
all great kitchens and baths that you see on Houzz - the greatest forum for professionals and homeowners - and elsewhere in magazines and books were
all possible because a very talented, highly experienced and dedicated professional kitchen and bath designer was part of the team. Yes, we know how to collaborate not just with the homeowners, but with all the other professionals involved in the project. When this happens, we all look good, but most important,
the clients win. And isn't it what this is about?
Your project, from the design phase till completion, is personally supervised and managed by our company's president, and field supervisor Joe Grimberg. This is the case with every project he take as your Los Angeles home remodeling contractor and builder. We are constantly modernizing and updating our services so we can provide you with the best possible outcome. "ALWAYS FREE IN HOME ESTIMATES "
Prodly serving Los Angeles and surrounding counties for over two decades.
http://www.swhomeremodeling.com/
http://www.interiordesigngreensboro.com
It is based on feedback from 20 years (from hearing clients good and bad stories) title "what questions to ask a remodeling contractor".
The blog also has articles & photos on how to update kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, etc on a budget - click photo for sample of tips
Be nice. A little kindness (Cold soda and water) and compliments go a long way with the workers. I tipped my painters $20 each when they were almost done and they made sure everything was perfect. They thanked me and said hardly anyone ever tips any more.
Don't keep changing plans. Use written change orders and negotiate how it will affect the price and completion date.
Don't expect the contractor to add things to the project for free after he has started. This is a major pet peeve. Even the little stuff still takes time and materials.
If you want to save money some contractors accept "sweat equity"; you agree to sweep up at the end of their work day and move your own furniture.
Contractors have an "A" game and a "B" game. Want top quality work? Tell them you expect their "A" game. Remodeling to sell or rent out? Their "B" game might save you some money.
Thanks for a wonderful article.
Another excellent resource for finding remodeling professionals is National Association of Home Builders; I found my http://contractoroceanside.com/contractor-reviews.html there
S. Baldwin, A. Lifetime Contractor Ltd. Toronto
Additionally, and maybe not so coincidentally, the qualifications highlighted in this article for choosing a pro seem to describe us perfectly - a fully-licensed, EPA lead-certified, experienced, and well-regarded remodeling company.
Great information here for anyone looking for some professional help. It can definitely help cut back on costs, time....and stress!
Thanks!