Archive for the ‘Helpful Tips’ Category

One of the unintended effects of the recent financial crisis is that many homeowners are opting to fund necessary renovation projects out of pocket instead of taking out a loan. When every penny that is invested in a project is, shall we say, more personal, homeowners are often less likely to indulge in those little “extras” that normally would be financed over a period of years. Yet if you scrimp on items that will make a real difference in your comfort, enjoyment or the functionality of your space, you actually may be sabotaging the success of your renovation.

So where does it make sense to save or splurge when your renovation budget is coming out of pocket? Here are a few ideas when it comes to kitchen remodels, which are among the most popular renovation projects.

Splurge: On solid surface kitchen countertops over tile surfaces. Whether you are considering a classic tile look or the newer granite tiles that are designed to bring costs down, tile is not the best option for food prep areas. Grout was never designed to be a sanitary choice – bacteria from raw meats and other types of foods can stubbornly attach itself to the nooks and crannies inherent in grout and create a dangerous situation for your family’s health.

Save: If you’re happy with how your kitchen flows and lives, it may make sense to opt for a facelift rather than a complete renovation. This is a great option if you have a functional layout and mainly desire to update the appearance of your space. You can get new appliances - or even keep your existing ones - update the cabinet doors and hardware, add decorative extras like a striking backsplash, and create a whole new look in a fraction of the time and at a smaller cost than that of a complete renovation.

Splurge: On what’s really important to you. It all comes down to how you intend to function in your kitchen. Some people would opt for takeout over a homemade meal any day, and those people don’t need to invest in professional-style appliances that they don’t ever plan on using. Other people love to cook, and if that describes you, we recommend that you invest in appliances that fit your needs, your cooking style and how you want to use your space. Some people really enjoy the benefits of cooking with a gas range but don’t have an existing gas line or proper ventilation. For those homeowners, getting those items in place is a necessary splurge. It really comes down to understanding how the homeowners ultimately envision using their space and building in the splurges that are most important to them.

Save: This is perhaps the most difficult save to swallow for many homeowners, but if you simply don’t have the funds to complete your dream project right, we often advise that it may be best to wait. Depending on the type of project, we may be able to break it down into stages so that you can easily complete certain parts over time without incurring any additional expenses. Yet other times, it really is much better to do it right than to do the job halfway. You have to have the best vision for the space and meld that with the realities of your budget, and see where you ultimately come out. If that means waiting, it’s sometimes best if you wait. After all, you want to do a project correctly, the first time, and enjoy it for years to come.

Sure. He seemed like he knew what he was doing when he knocked on your front door, said he was tackling some work at your neighbor’s house and asked if you needed anything done. That was before he skipped town with your money, botched the job, let your dog escape or any of a myriad of other nightmare scenarios. While you might never fall for this classic con, all too many well-meaning homeowners do fall victim to contractors who are either dishonest or just wrong for their particular projects. Every month, we meet homeowners who tell us stories about having chosen the wrong contractor for a project, and it is very sad to hear. Too many well-meaning homeowners hire start-up companies or unqualified individuals, friends or relatives who need a job and erroneously think they can handle the project. The homeowner thinks it’s a win-win – you help them out, they help you out and you save yourself money. Unfortunately, using an inexperienced person can prove costly in more ways than one – the extra time it takes as well as the money often required to fix things that weren’t done correctly the first time.  Here are 10 warning signs that signal the contractor you’re considering just isn’t right for you.

Lack of a license.
If a company is not properly licensed to handle residential General Contracting (GC) work in your state, there’s generally a reason. Likewise, if your GC is not using licensed plumbers and electricians, the work they are doing is suspect at best and, in the worst-case scenario, could even be hazardous.

Skirting the law.
If a contractor is willing to work without pulling building permits or completing the proper inspections, he’s not doing so to save your time or money. It’s typically because he is not qualified to pull the permit, or he knows that he is doing sub-par work that won’t pass inspection.

Lack of credentials.
If a contractor is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau, NARI or other trade organization, they are not members in good standing of these critical watchdog groups. Unresolved complaints with the BBB or Angie’s List should be a huge red flag that the company is not responsive to its customers.

No insurance.
If tradesmen hired by your GC do not carry General Liability or Workers Compensation insurance, any mishap could become your very costly responsibility.

Seems too good to be true.
He is the lowest bidder and it seems like a really good deal, or the construction timeline seems too short (or too long). Either of these scenarios is a red flag that signals he may be inexperienced at handling your type of project or he may be cutting corners to win the job.

Bad blood.
Be very wary if tradesmen do not have a good relationship with the contractor or with other trade professionals who will be working on your project. If a contractor is treating those he works with on a regular basis poorly, imagine how he’ll treat a customer like you that he only deals with once!

Just trust me.
It’s very concerning if important details are only vaguely addressed. If your contractor makes statements like, “Don’t worry, you’ll love the cabinets!” but you never get to select or even see them, it’s a signal that you might not be getting what you expect or have paid for.

Inexperience.
If the GC doesn’t seem to have expertise in your type of project – whether it’s construction or renovation, planning or project management – you should be very wary. These are complex, long-term projects that require true experts to manage, not to mention successfully and efficiently navigating any issues that may emerge.

Can’t we talk?
The contractor doesn’t understand the importance of good communication. If he can’t handle the relatively simple task of effectively communicating with clients on the front end, imagine how quickly things can spiral out of control once construction begins.

You simply do not seem to be a good fit.
Whether you are considering renovating or building, a construction project is in many ways like a marriage. You’ll be in close contact and communication with your GC for the duration, and if you don’t feel comfortable with him, or your personalities simply don’t mesh, it won’t be a pleasant process. There are many qualified, professional contractors out there; you just need to find the one who is right for you.

After photo from our "Dated Kitchen Remodel" success story.

Quality. It may be the most clichéd and ill-defined word that gets used when talking about contractors. Everyone says they build high-quality homes or run high quality projects, but what exactly does that mean? It can be easy to spot poor quality – tile that doesn’t line up, corners that aren’t square, poor fit and finish. Sometimes it is far more difficult, because shabby work is hidden beneath the drywall and is only discovered after costly damage has already been done. But how do consumers identify good quality?

Quality is easier to define when we look to the past. For example, my grandfather and father were both skilled contractors, and my uncles were master carpenters. Twenty years ago, a 2,000 square foot house was considered a custom home, and every element of it was painstakingly crafted by experts like them. The subsequent explosion of massive new neighborhoods meant that more and larger homes were mass-produced, and as a result, the level of quality buyers received was vastly different. Much of that occurs when skilled craftsmen are replaced with minimally skilled workers who may be learning their trade or who are not adept at what they are doing that day. On a day-to-day basis, it is these on-site workers who have the largest role in determining quality. That means that behind every great contractor is a team of qualified subcontractors. It can take a contractor years to find the right team of masters of their trades who work well together to make projects run smoothly. Some contractors don’t try to – they simply focus on finding the lowest bid. I think it is vitally important for homeowners to understand that and realize what a difference the attitude and skill of these trade partners will make in their project.

After photo from our "Craftsman Style Home" success story.

As Domenic Lepore, owner of HVAC firm Dac Services, Inc. and one of our trade partners for more than a decade, puts it. “The key to all of our work is that we remember that as contractors, we are customers, too. Do unto others as you would have done to yourself is more than a phrase to us; it’s how we approach every project. Some subcontractors don’t think like that, and as a result, the quality simply isn’t there. We’re always looking for ways to save customers money without sacrificing quality. We set our standards high, and Gary Palmer does the same.”

Indeed, at Palmer Custom Builders, we are a very tight family. We carefully hand select the subcontractors we entrust with our clients, because they represent us. As a result, we have built a legacy of happy clients and successful projects and are proud to share our stories.  As Lepore puts it: “You can read all you want about a company - in publications, their advertisements, coupons -  but it all comes down to word of mouth - what customers think of them and us,”

After photo from our "Craftsman Style Home" success story.

So when it comes to choosing a contractor, (after your due diligence has been done and you are considering only qualified firms) I believe the difference ultimately comes down to the person: the professionalism of the individual and how they define and maintain quality. Those are things you simply cannot put in a quote. That’s why I want to educate homeowners about how to make their investment count by choosing the right professional. While I certainly don’t expect everyone to choose us, I do want them to choose a reputable builder who will build their dream as if it were their own.

I always have been intrigued by how homeowners go through the process of selecting a contractor. Oftentimes, the decision comes down to price - the mighty dollar. Some people immediately gravitate toward the lowest bid, others won’t consider the highest or lowest, but assume that the one in the middle is the best compromise. But if you are looking at multiple bids, and several are not from qualified contractors, how can you possibly compare? You can’t! A lot of people say it’s like comparing apples to oranges, but as Gary Palmer says, it’s more like comparing apples to elephants.

As a consumer and a veteran of many jobsites, I feel that the key to finding a good contractor is not gauging their price, but gauging their professionalism. You can begin to judge this on subjective factors right away. How they treat you initially – how quickly they return phone calls, whether they take a genuine interest in your project, if they listen to your goals and offer creative suggestions – should give you a feel for who is a true professional. Here are a few other areas to ask about from my perspective in the field:

How many projects like yours has he or she done? Good contractors will have a wide variety of successful projects they have completed on time. Visit their website for Project Stories and a Photo Gallery which will give you an indication of the types and complexity of projects they have completed.

What do past clients think of them? Good contractors will have favorable client testimonials and will not hesitate to share them or provide contact information. (Also, be sure to check their website to see if there are personal referrals from satisfied clients.)

Do you see patterns in their client care? Ask contractors for several client names from each of the past 3 to 4 years, then call them and see what their patterns are. Diligently doing this will help you spot any recent changes that you otherwise might not have known about.

Do they have a job in progress right now? If so, check it out. Talk to the current client. What do they think about their experience? A bid process can take several weeks, so if you find one or two contactors you like, go back and follow up to see if their client’s comfort level has changed as they have gotten farther along in the project. If they don’t have current clients, go back to their most recent ones.

Check consistency of work. If the contractor has had a long break between jobs or within a recent job, there is most likely a reason. This will sometimes explain price variances in a bid and is a major warning sign. If a contractor is going through a tough time, they may be tempted to pull your investment into their problems; meaning they need cash flow now to make up for their last mistake. This is definitely a red flag - if something doesn’t check out, then check that contractor off your list.

If after reviewing all these areas, you are still uncertain, then your decision comes down to which contractor you feel comfortable having around your most substantial investment. That is where the employees, subcontractors and trade partners a contractor selects and the quality they maintain come into play, which are some areas we’ll discuss in my next article.