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March 2001
By
Bill Rauser
 Your
home is not only a place where you should feel
comfortable and secure, but your home should be
a reflection of you...of your life. So, as your
life or your tastes change, you may find that
you want your home to change with them.
It
is for this reason and many others that people
turn to remodeling, rather than buying a new home.
When you want a larger living space or a different
look, it is usually much more economical to remodel
your existing structure than buy a new home.
Remodeling
is not necessarily an easy task, however, since
you’re weaving new ideas and structures into existing
ones. For that reason, and many others, you will
want to work with professionals who can offer
expertise, creativity, and flexibility. A contractor
can make this experience a nightmare or a “dream
come true.” For your convenience, here are
some tips to follow to ensure your remodeling
experience is rewarding and fulfilling:
REFERENCES
- Make
sure the contractor you choose has good credentials.
Contact the Remodelers Council of the Maryland
Home Builders Association or the Maryland Home
Improvement Commission and/or government Consumer
Affairs Office for additional information on
the contractors. Financial stability and business
practices are important considerations.
- Ask
for references. This will allow you to talk
with people who have worked with the contractor,
and may even allow you to see a finished product.
- Ask
the contractor if he belongs to a professional
organization. You can then contact the organization
to determine what services they provide.
- Be
sure your contractor is insured against claims
covering such areas as worker’s compensation,
property damage, or personal liability.
PROPOSALS
- If
you choose to solicit proposals from more than
one contractor, be sure all the proposals are
based on common specs.
- If
you get more than one proposal, go over each
to make sure you understand everything, including
responsibility for clean-up and trash removal.
Don’t necessarily go with the lowest price—a higher price may be the best value.
WRITTEN
CONTRACTS
- Work
only with written contracts. Verbal agreements
rarely hold up, and the confusion factor is
higher.
- Sign
only a complete and acceptable contract. You
and your contractor should keep a copy.
- Study
the financial details carefully. Pay special
attention to total price, payment schedule,
and any penalties that may be instituted against
you.
- Make
sure there is a procedure for handling changes
once a project has begun.
- If
you have doubts after you’ve signed the contract,
remember that contracts signed in your home
with your contractor or his agent can likely
be canceled by you within three working
days. Discuss this with your contractor.
- Make
sure that all materials are specified by brand,
model, color, quantity, size, etc.
- Some
states require contractor workmanship warranties.
They must be noted as either FULL or LIMITED.
Be sure you discuss and understand all workmanship
warranty details before accepting a contract.
- Start
dates and completion dates should be noted.
Allowances should be specified for uncontrollable
delays.
CODES
AND PERMITS
- Make
sure the contractor gets all the necessary
permits. This makes the contractor liable for
meeting codes.
- Be
aware that separate permits are required for
electrical, heating, or plumbing work.
- The
contractor is responsible for calling for inspections.
Take it upon yourself to make sure they are
not overlooked.
WORKING
WITH YOUR CONTRACTOR
- No
work should occur until you have approved the
plans.
- Keep
track of all changes during construction, and
make certain they are added to your contract.
- Note
new costs on your contract.
- Never
sign a completion certificate until all
contracted work is properly completed.
Keep
these suggestions in mind during all phases of
your remodeling process, and you will find that
remodeling is much easier than shopping for a
new home and will give you a renewed sense of
pride in your house. In fact, it may be so easy,
that after you finish adding on your new bedroom,
you may begin to wonder, “Now, what about
that sunroom I’ve always wanted...?”
Bill Rauser is president of Rauser Professional Contracting. He can be reached at 410-833-3883 or br@rauser.com.
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