Working With Your Contractor

Working with your contractor...

Often, homeowners think they've planed everything for their remodeling project in advance: a budget has been prepared, materials selected, and a contractor has been chosen.  But even with all this planning, living through the project can be difficult.  House Help has put together some helpful tips to help ease your stress and provide a better living environment for you and your contractor.

1. Know the earliest time workers will arrive and how late they may stay.  Make a note on your family calendar so everyone will know when to expect your guests.
2. Instruct your workers where they may park and which entrance to be used.  Also, don't forget to identify exactly which person on the crew will have the keys to your home.
3. If you have small pets or children, discuss how you will handle things like open doors and nap times.
4. Most remodeling is messy; ask your contractor where materials, tools and equipment will be stored and when cleaning will take place.  Communicate any expectations or concerns you may have regarding the mess or supplies.  If you would like the job site cleaned at the end of each day, be sure to specify this with your contract.  Also, ask your contractor what tools and materials will be left on site during the project.   It may be necessary to designate a space in your garage or home for material storage during the remodeling.
5. Cover all home basics with the workers, such as telephone access, which bathrooms they may use, where they may take their lunch breaks, and which areas of the home are off limits. 
6.  Protect your valuables!  During your remodeling project consider renting a storage unit or taking valuables, antiques and other personal items to a friend's home.  Most contractors will use protective coverings for your furniture and carpeting free of charge,  but double-check before the project starts to avoid any extra costs.
7. Decide in advance how often you will be updated on the progress, delays and material deliveries.  Having a set point when you can ask questions helps communication between you and your contractor.  The larger the project, the more often your contractor should be communicating updates.
8. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
9. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
10. Decide in advance how often you will be updated on the progress, delays and material deliveries.  Having a set point when you can ask questions helps communication between you and your contractor.  The larger the project, the more often your contractor should be communicating updates.
11. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
12. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
13.  Protect your valuables!  During your remodeling project consider renting a storage unit or taking valuables, antiques and other personal items to a friend's home.  Most contractors will use protective coverings for your furniture and carpeting free of charge,  but double-check before the project starts to avoid any extra costs.
14. Decide in advance how often you will be updated on the progress, delays and material deliveries.  Having a set point when you can ask questions helps communication between you and your contractor.  The larger the project, the more often your contractor should be communicating updates.
15. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
16. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
17. Decide in advance how often you will be updated on the progress, delays and material deliveries.  Having a set point when you can ask questions helps communication between you and your contractor.  The larger the project, the more often your contractor should be communicating updates.
18. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
19. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
20. Cover all home basics with the workers, such as telephone access, which bathrooms they may use, where they may take their lunch breaks, and which areas of the home are off limits. 
21.  Protect your valuables!  During your remodeling project consider renting a storage unit or taking valuables, antiques and other personal items to a friend's home.  Most contractors will use protective coverings for your furniture and carpeting free of charge,  but double-check before the project starts to avoid any extra costs.
22. Decide in advance how often you will be updated on the progress, delays and material deliveries.  Having a set point when you can ask questions helps communication between you and your contractor.  The larger the project, the more often your contractor should be communicating updates.
23. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
24. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
25. Decide in advance how often you will be updated on the progress, delays and material deliveries.  Having a set point when you can ask questions helps communication between you and your contractor.  The larger the project, the more often your contractor should be communicating updates.
26. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
27. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
28.  Protect your valuables!  During your remodeling project consider renting a storage unit or taking valuables, antiques and other personal items to a friend's home.  Most contractors will use protective coverings for your furniture and carpeting free of charge,  but double-check before the project starts to avoid any extra costs.
29. Decide in advance how often you will be updated on the progress, delays and material deliveries.  Having a set point when you can ask questions helps communication between you and your contractor.  The larger the project, the more often your contractor should be communicating updates.
30. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
31. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
32. Decide in advance how often you will be updated on the progress, delays and material deliveries.  Having a set point when you can ask questions helps communication between you and your contractor.  The larger the project, the more often your contractor should be communicating updates.
33. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   
34. Most importantly, exchange contact information with your contractor.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.  Know both home and mobile numbers for at least two members of the crew.  In the event of an emergency this will be useful.   

 

Well, that's all for today.   Thanks for listening, and if you have any comments about the show, or ideas for future episodes, please send House Help an email:  [e-mail].  To learn more about how House Help connects homeowners with reliable quality contractors, logon to our website, www.freehousehelp.org.