REMODELING RIGHT
How to avoid contractor nightmares

We all remember Shelly Long and Tom Hanks in the movie "The Money Pit." This comedy exemplifies most consumers' concept of what life would be like during a remodeling project - unscrupulous, obnoxious contractors who drain you of every penny you have, while destroying your home and personal life.

Unfortunately, there are no movies depicting a remodeling project done correctly, a well managed project of quality craftsmen who take pride in their work. The truth is-- there are consumers who need or want to remodel, but are hesitant to do so because of their misconceptions or anxieties concerning remodeling projects and all the horror stories they have heard. What is myth and what is reality?

Actually, "The Money Pit" story can be reality, if as a consumer, you do not plan and prepare yourself prior to proceeding, and educate yourself as to what to expect during remodeling. The other reality is that with proper planning, preparation, investigation, and communication, you will never have a horrifying story to tell your friends and neighbors. Instead, you will just be happy enjoying the comfort of your new renovations. Here is how to bore your friends and neighbors by having a good remodeling experience.

Planning

• Plan your project thoroughly. Think of functional use of your space as well as your long and short term needs. Develop design criteria that your design team can work with to create your "dream" renovations. Work and rework the plan until you have it right. If you're not satisfied, do not move on to the next phase.
• Specifications. Insist on written specifications to ensure you are getting what you are expecting. Specifications have a lot of construction terminology so ask questions until you are sure you know what you are paying for. Pay as much attention to the behind the wall products, i.e., framing systems, insulation and mechanical systems, as you do to the hardware, cabinetry and flooring selections.
• Investigate your remodeler. Check with five customers over a five year period for whom your remodeler has completed projects of similar size and scope. Ask questions such as: Did they start and complete when promised? How was the quality of craftsmanship? Were the crews neat, courteous and respectful of the home, family, pets and possessions? How were unexpected problems handled?

Visit completed projects, as well as projects under construction that your remodeler has performed, and
personally inspect them for yourself.

Review and re-review your plans, specifications and contract prior to proceeding. Everything promised
should be in writing. Do not sign a contract until you are 100 percent comfortable with it. Do not fall victim to
high pressure sales tactics.

"Plan for the unexpected. Enter into the project with a plan. And an attitude to work with your Remodeler as a team"

Pre-Construction
This is the stage when the majority of your work will be completed. As many of the decisions and job details as possible should be decided prior to turning your home into a construction site. During preconstruction planning:

• Have the remodeler provide you with a production schedule outlining the planned sequence of activities.
• Review the production schedule to ensure it works with your personal schedule.
  
• Have the remodeler provide you with a job plan which not only includes the production schedule, but also includes when supplier and subcontractor contacts are to be made, when material deliveries are to be made and when certain areas of the house will be taken out of operation.

Review your responsibilities and the timing with your contractor. Normal homeowner responsibilities include selection of the finish products and materials, payments, removing personal belongings and furniture from work area, or any work you may be completing with your own sources.

Review job site specifics:

• Timing - What time of day does work start and stop? Will there be any weekend work or extended hours? Are there any times of day that you cannot have loud noises, i.e., during an infant's nap time?
  
• Security - are there any areas of the house that are off limits? How will the alarm system be kept operational during construction? Will there be any times when you will have maximum exposure?
  
• Parking - Where will the workers park? Is there enough parking? Notify your neighbors.
  
• Material Storage - Where will materials be stored? What times of the day should you expect deliveries?
  
• Protection - What will be done to protect the house from dust, debris, damage and exposure to the elements? Remove all pictures and breakables from the work area and off the walls of adjoining rooms.
  
• Fence/landscape removal - Where will landscape shrubbery and fencing be relocated?
  
• Restroom - Will a spot-a-pot be required? If so, where will it be placed? If your existing bathroom is to be used, what type of protection will be used?
  
• Telephone Usage - Who may use the telephone and when?
  
• Utilities - Will the contractor be able to use your electricity and water?
  
• During winter and summer - What plans are in place to keep your heating and cooling systems operational?
  
• Communication - Who will supervise the work? How will communication occur? How are changes handled? Who is your principal contact person?
  
• Documentation - Document the existing condition of the home and operation of the mechanical systems prior to preceding for the protection of all parties.

Construction
Plan for the unexpected. Enter into the project with a plan and an attitude to work with your remodeler as a team. All remodeling projects have unexpected problems. This is not a time for adversarial relationships. When issues arise, it is a time to work with your remodeler to find an amicable resolution. You can expect any number of problems, delays or even pleasant surprises. Since every remodeling project is unique, there is no way you can anticipate every possible problem.

Remove valuables from the work area and breakables out of work area and adjoining rooms. Empty cabinets, take pictures off walls, etc. Remodeling can involve heavy construction, excavation and demolition. Expect rattling and shaking of the walls and floors.

Install dust barriers. Dust will infiltrate the living areas no matter how much protection is installed. Expect it and accept it. Be prepared to clean the entire house once work is complete. Insist on dust barriers and protection of floors in traffic areas.
Construction

Know when to expect deliveries. It is not uncommon for a first load delivery to occur at 6:00 a.m. Know when to expect that so you are not unpleasantly awakened by the warning beeps of a truck backing up in your driveway and loud bang as the material is dropped off. Move your car to the street so it does not get blocked in by material deliveries.

Have your contractor give you advance notice of when electricity, water and HVAC systems are to be cut off so that you can plan your personal life around them.

Review the job plan closely and work out the details of critical areas. For example, in many remodeling projects, an entire addition can be constructed and the exterior completed prior to commencing any interior demolition. Bedrooms, baths and kitchens are most critical. Plan relocation of the refrigerator, microwave, etc. in kitchen renovations.

Preplan protection barriers to keep pets, children and guests out of the work areas.

Regarding material back orders, we do not suggest proceeding with renovations until all the materials are in. This eliminates the possibility of delays due to back orders. Inspect the materials prior to installation to ensure they are the ones you specified.

Inspect the work daily. Remodelers often joke that consumers have twenty-four hours to inspect eight hours worth of work, and they do. Inspect the work daily and immediately bring any of your concerns to the remodeler's attention. The sooner we know about it, the sooner we can fix it.

Protect finished products after installation from further damage.

Expect the unexpected. Anything can and does happen in remodeling projects. Murphy's Law rules. Some examples of unexpected problems are:

• Delivery truck breaks down
  
• Delivery truck delivers material to wrong site
  
• Delivery truck has accident
  
• Material arrives damaged
  
• Incorrect material arrives
  
• Workers do not show up
  
• Subcontractors do not show up
  
• Demolition uncovers masonry, plumbing, heating or electrical systems which cannot be moved.
  
• Demolition uncovers structural failures, i.e., termite damage or poor prior construction which was not expected.
  
• Workers damage areas of home unexpectedly
  
• Damage occurs as a result of weather. During certain times of your renovations, your house will be highly exposed to changing weather conditions. The best made plans can fall apart when unexpected and unpredicted storms arrive before the work is complete.

These are just a few examples of unexpected problems. In most cases, all are unavoidable and
certainly not welcomed by your remodeler. Work with him to resolve these problems and move on to the successful completion of your project.

Post Construction
Review the work to ensure compliance with the contract, specifications, plans and change orders. Review your remodeler's warranty and service policies. Complete the financial compensation as agreed in your contract.

Relax and Enjoy
When your renovation is complete, enjoy it. Reap the rewards of all your hard work, planning and sacrifices during the remodeling project. If you followed the guidelines outlined in this article, you'll be happy to bore your friends and neighbors with the story of your pleasant remodeling experience.

Just don't forget to send your script to Barry Levinson.

Editor's Note: Dwight Griffith is President of Griffith-Brilhart Builders, a national and local award winning custom home builder and remodeler and is a past President of the Home Builders Association of MD and the Remodelor's Council.

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