There’s no way around it – home renovations are a hassle. Renovations can be costly, noisy, messy, and at the very least they interfere with your daily lifestyle. Nonetheless, the hassle of a renovation project is entirely worth it when a job is well done and you are left with new additions to your home that enhance quality of life — and in many cases, add value to your property.
When it comes to making decisions about your renovation project and the contractor you work with, timing and planning are highly underrated. A well planned and executed project will save you time and money in the long run, while a poorly planned and/or poorly executed project will quickly become a costly headache that you are quick to regret.
When choosing a contractor, consider the following aspects of scheduling renovations. Any professional contractor worth their salary should make your life easier in each of these areas.
1. Permits
No renovation project should be attempted without the proper permits. The necessary permits depend on the scope of you project and the building codes where you live. A high quality contractor should be knowledgeable in how to apply for these permits. Always ask about this step up front before signing a contract. There is nothing more frustrating than having to put a project on hold due to permit issues that could have been easily avoided.
2. Creating a feasible schedule
When talking to you about your hopes and dreams for a renovation project, any prospective contractor should be able to give you a solid timeline regarding how long the work will take. Consider getting proposals from multiple contractors to compare estimates and timeframes. If one contractor says that a job can be done much more quickly than the others, there’s a good chance it’s too good to be true. It’s far better to know up front how long something is expected to take rather than having an unrealistic timeline that is sure to leave you disappointed.
3. Open communication
Regardless of the job you are undertaking, open communication with your contractor is imperative. Make sure you hire a contractor who you can trust to keep you informed about all aspects of you project, even if things aren’t going as planned. A delay in initial plans is frustrating — but a delay that a contractor doesn’t tell you about can be truly detrimental to your renovation project.
Finding a Quality Contractor
When it comes to choosing the perfect contractor for your renovation, you not only want someone with technical skill and experience, but also someone who is well organized and will complete your job to the highest professional standard. Finding a contractor who is a great administrator and scheduler will help minimize hassle and avoid costly and frustrating delays. Ask around with friends and neighbors to get recommendations for contractors who have provided superior service with no surprises or issues. Doing your research and choosing a recommended contractor will save you no small amount of time and stress during the renovation process.