Archives for May 2017

When you’re spending your hard-earned money on remodeling, it’s normal to want to make sure everything is going well. You may even have second thoughts at times and want to change things around. There are things you might be tempted to do that will actually delay the process and cost you more money. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid.

Going with the lowest bid and ending up with someone you don’t trust.

If you want something done right you need to hire the right professionals not the lowest price. If you don’t trust the people doing the work on your house, there will be problems. For example, when they tell you they found a problem and there will be a delay, you might not believe them. Also, you may feel the need to look over their shoulder and question them constantly, which will slow the work down.  This can all be avoided if you start by hiring someone you trust.

If you hire someone you trust, a lot of other problems can be avoided.

Not planning for contingencies.

No home is perfect. A qualified contractor will make whatever adjustments are needed to make sure everything they work on is structurally sound and up to code. If there’s a problem, they’ll fix it. That adds to the price of the job, but it’s worth it to have it done right. Make sure you have more than enough money set aside to finish the remodel.

Changing your mind.

If you have a plan, it’s cheaper and faster to stick with it. Every time you make a change, it will cost time and money. If you hired a contractor you trust, you’re less likely to panic halfway through the job and want to change everything around. The more you can relax and let your contractor work, the faster the job will go.

Being a distraction.

You have every right to look at what’s going on in your home and to ask questions. It is your money and your home, after all. However, if you’re always standing around and talking to the workers, you will slow the work down. Ask all of the questions you need to ask, but don’t linger if you don’t need to. If you trust the professionals you hired, this won’t be as much of a problem.

Working without a design.

A qualified professional won’t start a job without a design.  Your contractor will need a detailed floor plan and sometimes even an architect depending on the kind of job. You can’t expect them to go in blind.

Fixing aesthetics without fixing the structure.

One of the benefits of a remodel is that it improves the appearance of your home. Another benefit is that when work is done well, your home will be even more structurally sound than when the work started. Don’t expect your contractor to overlook structural problems.  If they can fix it, let them. You’ll be better off in the long run.

The most important thing is to hire someone you can trust. Thankfully, in College Station you have a local builder with experience.

When you plan a kitchen remodel, you probably focus on utility and aesthetics. There is an added benefit that you may not consider. Your contractor can find hidden issues with your house that may have otherwise caused you trouble down the line. Most contractors will factor some contingencies in their bid so that you aren’t overwhelmed when problems arise.

No house is perfect. Even new houses have their flaws. An older home, however, may have more problems. In order to properly update the appearance of your home, you may have to update some of the structure. That’s why you should always have a contingency fund in case your contractor finds something that needs fixing or updating to meet the building code.

No matter how experienced the professionals you hire are, they can’t know what’s going on inside a wall without taking a look. While they may be able to give you an idea of the types of problems a home often has, they can’t know for sure until the work starts. Once a drill goes into a wall, a lot can be revealed.

If you’re having your bathroom remodeled, for example, your contractor might find water leaks. Because leaks can cause structural damage and lead to mold growth, you can be thankful they found the problem. While it may cost a little money to fix it now, it could save you the expense of more costly repairs later on.

Another issue that your contractor may run into in your walls is faulty wiring. That’s not something that can be ignored. It’s a fire hazard. So, even though it may cost you extra, it’s worth the expense. Replacing faulty wiring will help bring your house up to code and make it a safer place to live.

Walls may also have inadequate insulation. If you’ve noticed that your kitchen or bathroom is unusually cold in the winter or hot in the summer it may be because you need more insulation. Your contractor can fix the problem and that will save you money on heating and cooling in the long run.

Windows can also have their hidden problems. Dry rot around a window might not be apparent at first. Only when the work has started will your contractor find the dry rot in the wall. Fixing it will make your home more structurally sound.

Also, keep in mind that your subfloor is hidden until the flooring is removed. Your contractor has no way of knowing whether it’s in good condition until he sees it. Hopefully, only minor repairs will be needed if any. Having a good subfloor will help the rest of your remodel go more smoothly so it’s important that any issues are fixed properly.

When you have a contractor bid on your project, make sure he’s planning for contingencies.  A really low bid may not include any wiggle room for unexpected problems. Also, set aside more money than you think is needed for the project. At least 5% extra on hand could be helpful. While no one likes having to pay more than expected, it’s worth it to have your home fixed properly.