Rehab Tips

Feb 23

4foreclosuresRehab and Renovation , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Hire pros you know. Those who hired contractors they’d worked with were happier and had fewer time and cost overruns than those who tried someone new. While readers who hired pros recommended by a friend or neighbor were more satisfied than those who hired strangers, they had as many delays and extra costs.

Do the hiring yourself. Those who hired plumbers and other pros were happier than those who left the hiring and supervising to a general contractor. Projects were likelier to be within budget and on time.

Don’t change your mind. Thirty-five percent of those who made changes after work had begun ended up more than 10 percent over budget. That was a problem for only 12 percent of those who stuck with the plan. Changes led to 50 percent more delays overall.

Manage high-priced pros. Architects and designers are supposed to keep projects within budget and on time. But readers who hired them to add a room were likelier to have cost and time overruns. That makes written estimates especially crucial with these pros.

Plan for success. Roughly 30 percent of readers regretted not spending more time planning, learning more about materials, and screening pros.

Get three bids to gauge the going rate. But don’t jump at the lowest bid; readers who did generally got poorer work.

Get references from older and recent jobs. Then check the work to see how it held up.

Look for proper licensing and insurance. Certification from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry is a plus.

Check the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and your state’s attorney general’s office for filed complaints.

Get an estimate. It should list product, material, and labor costs and a timetable. Material and product allowances should give prices and quantities.

Leave a Reply