If you are looking to hire someone to do a construction work, whether that be remodeling or building something new, here are six questions to ask a contractor before work begins.
When you hire a contractor to work on your residential or commercial estate, you are entering into an agreement with them that goes beyond just contracts. You are partners in the endeavor, and so it’s important that you start off on the right foot and know exactly what to expect.
Once you have a contractor in line, no matter who it might be, there are a few questions that you should ask before you begin work. This isn’t a question of trusting the contractor, but rather it’s a matter of the client being informed and understanding how the process works. A contractor can be working under the best of intentions and come across an unforeseen expense. That type of thing happens frequently, and blaming the person doing the work is both pointless and unfair. Instead, it’s good to know that these type of things might happen before they do, so ask questions.
With that in mind, here are six questions to ask a contractor before work begins.
Ask About “Change Orders” and How They Alter the Costs
Expect the unexpected. All remodels have the possibility to generate what is known as a “change order.” They are common, and often necessary.
A change order is – as the name suggests – a change to the existing order. These are issued when something needs to be addressed but wasn’t apparent until work has already begun. This can include a variety of things that the contractor generally cannot overlook – and you wouldn’t want them to. For example, if a contractor begins work and discovers that the home or office was filled with damaged panels of asbestos, or there was a dangerous amount of lead paint, they would issue a change order to remove it. The contractor would need to charge for the additional work and the materials, but given the potentially hazardous nature of those chemicals, you would almost certainly want them to do it, even if it cost a little extra.
Another common cause for a change order is shoddy workmanship from previous work that was hidden within the walls or in another location that couldn’t be easily seen without first having started work. No contractor wants to have to redo old work, but it might be necessary for safety. Another common occurrence is that once work begins, the client may want to make an additional change. Ideally, all major work is agreed to and planned out before work begins, but changes happen and they will require a change order.
Of course, not all change orders add to the bill – some might be issued when previously agreed to work cannot be done, which would lower the overall price.
The most important thing is to simply be aware that change orders are possible. Ask your contractor what type of work they would issue a change order for and what the associated costs might be. Your contractor is your partner in a remodel, so be sure there is an open dialogue with them about things like additional fees.
How is this Remodel Going to Affect Me?
Remodeling a house can be a physically and emotionally exhausting experience. You may find yourself without a bathroom, a bedroom, a kitchen, or another room that you rely on in your daily life for an extended period of time. That can lead to very real physical demands on a person and/or a family. On the emotional side, remodels can be expensive and anytime there is a large bill that lands on your desk, it can be draining. Plus, it’s stressful when your home is in flux.
Before you begin a remodel, make sure you are prepared in every way. Have contingency plans and alternatives for any discomforts, and be ready for the costs – both physical and mental.
How Real is the Schedule?
One of the more common criticisms lobbied at construction – whether it be a home remodel, building a structure, or even work on a freeway – is that it always takes longer than expected. And there is some truth to that, but maybe not for the reasons you think.
When a contractor issues an estimate on how long a project may take, they are usually very clear in emphasizing the point that it is just that: an estimate. That estimate is based on how long each part of the work will take, assuming everything goes exactly as planned. If things run smoothly, you’ll often see the contractor finish ahead of schedule. If one of a dozen things along the way causes a delay, it can push everything back.
Delays can be anything from the contractor finding a problem at the job site that they need to fix to a shipping delay in receiving materials to a nasty bout of the flu that sends half the team home – contractors are still human, after all. They will always do their best to complete the work as quickly and efficiently as possible, but sometimes things happen, and often those things cannot be avoided.
So when a contractor gives you an estimate, remember that it is based on the best possible information at the time. It may end up taking much longer, so be prepared for that extra time and if necessary, have a contingency plan of your own.
What Choices do I Need to Make and When?
The most important thing you can do when beginning a remodel is the pre-planning. Make sure you know what you want and stick to it. If you suddenly have a brainstorm halfway through the work it could end up costing you a significant amount of money to change things during construction, and it will certainly cause lengthy delays. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give up on that idea, but talk to your contractor about how realistic it is before you have them stop their work.
When you are planning out your remodel, you’ll want to hire an architect, a designer, and professionals to make sure you stick to the plan. It might seem like an easy switch to change paint colors or tiles before that particular phase of work has begun, but even that can be a costly prospect. Many contractors will be able to walk you through every step of the process, just make sure you ask them what they need from you and when.
What is a Lien Notice?
A contractor is required by law to provide a notice to inform the client about construction lien laws. This is standard procedure required for remodels. Ask your contractor to explain what this means, and what the legal rights are regarding your state’s lien laws.
Who is in Charge of the Job?
For some, one of the most difficult aspects of a remodel is handing over control to someone else. A construction job can be a complex endeavor filled with moving parts. There needs to be a clear line of communication for efficiency and safety. The client is ultimately the boss, but once construction begins they must be willing to let the experts take control.
Sometimes clients elect to take on a portion of the work themselves. If the contractor is aware of this they can work around that and even help out if needed, but if the client does work on their own without properly notifying the contractor it can lead to major delays. The construction team needs to know what is happening and when. This is especially true when a contractor is using a subcontractor to help with specialized work.
While all of these questions are important in their own right, it all comes down to one simple thing: your contractor is your partner. Work with them and keep a channel of dialogue open at all times, and the results will speak for themselves.