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Adventures in Remodeling, Part 1

Sep 18, 2001 - © L.C. Dumke

  • Get an itemized estimate. It sounds logical, but you'd be surprised how many people don't get a written estimate broken down by each project. Also be sure to ask your contractor for periodic reports on how close they are sticking to the estimate, and ask for any changes in cost (up or down) to be put in writing.

  • Ask about your contractor's suppliers. It isn't enough to know your contractor. Find out if he uses subcontractors, ask who supplies materials (such as flooring and cabinetry), and study up on their products or services if you can. This may even affect some warranties. For instance, flooring purchased at one building supply company might carry a longer guarantee than the same flooring purchased at another.

  • Take pictures. If your remodeling project is large, be sure to snap plenty of photos of your home before and after. You never know, this might just win you a prize in one of those "Best Reader Remodels" contests you see in many decorating magazines. If not, you'll always have a record of how your home used to look. And if you're in a historic property, before and after pictures can be important to the documented history of your home.

  • Show, don't tell. If you're having any work done that may be open to interpretation (such as custom cabinetry), be sure to either draw what you have in mind, ask your contractor to draw it out, or find a magazine photo that looks like what you want. Start clipping photos as far in advance as you can, and provide your contractor with a copy (not the original, because paper tends to disappear as remodeling sites).

  • Manage your contractor. My contractor had a great group of friendly and polite workers, but I know they weren't mind-readers. So about halfway through the project, I started creating a checklist and instructional note a few times a week. (The project foreman looked a little worried the first few times I greeted him at the door waving little slips of paper, but eventually he got used to it.) Basically, I'd look at completed areas and note any problems or suggestions. (Such as: touch up ceiling paint where lumber scratched far left corner of living room.) I'd also include any questions, in case I didn't see the appropriate crewmember when I was home. (Such as: could your electrician install the old kitchen light fixture in the basement storage area?)
    The copyright of the article Adventures in Remodeling, Part 1 in Budget Decorating is owned by L.C. Dumke. Permission to republish Adventures in Remodeling, Part 1 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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