SELECT A REMODELER - OUR EXPERT: AURORA CUSTOM HOMES & REMODELING
Selecting a qualified remodeler to work inside your home can be a scary proposition. Everyone has heard horror stories about people who’ve experienced long delays, cost overruns, lost deposits and unfinished jobs.
You wonder who you can trust, and what assurances you’ll have once your project gets underway. Once you begin interviewing candidates, remember these three important considerations: credibility, reliability and visibility.
If you can confirm these three attributes, then you’re well on your way to making a good decision. So let’s take them one at a time:
• Credibility. He (or she) should be properly licensed as a Certified State Contractor and a proud member of the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA). He should carry an active certificate of insurance for general liability and workers’ compensation. Ask if he belongs to the NEFBA Remodelers Council and if he’s earned additional certifications. A contractor who’s active in a trade association and pursues specialized designations is generally a cut above the others.
• Reliability. Ask for a list of past clients along with contact information. Failure to contact references is the greatest error you can make. While such a list will generally include only the most satisfied clients, the questions you ask may uncover additional information. For example, did the job finish on time and on budget? How were change orders handled? Were you given sufficient notice when selection decisions were needed? And my favorite question is: “If you could do it all over again, what would you change?”
• Visibility. This is key to good communication and crucial to a well-managed project. Ask how many other jobs the contractor’s project manager has underway, and how many hours a day you should expect to see him on your job site. Determine who the contact person will be when you have questions about selections, billing, quality or anything else. How accessible will the contractor be when you need to walk the job with him?
While determining credibility, reliability and visibility will help you select the most qualified remodeler, it’s crucial that you not sign a contract until you’ve read it and discussed all its provisions.
Of utmost importance is a thorough scope of work. As a contract addendum, the scope of work outlines the specific tasks to be accomplished, along with material allowances for homeowner selections. It should also include a list of exclusions and any work to be performed “by others.”
A well-written contract should note the estimated start and completion dates and provide a detailed draw schedule outlining when payments are due. The procedure for handling change orders should be clearly defined. And there should be specific language stating that signed lien waivers will be collected from every supplier and subcontractor.
Finally, there’s no better way to feel confident that you’ve selected the right contractor than to talk to him about how the job will be run. Discuss hours of work, protection against weather, storage of material, and parking of vehicles as well as cleanup procedures and the methods through which adjacent rooms and furnishings will be protected.
When he describes a sincere interest in protecting your investment, then you’ve found the contractor you should work with.
Jeff Brecko is vice president of Aurora Custom Remodeling and past chairman of the Remodelers Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. Brecko is a Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), Certified Green Professional (CGP) and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). Aurora Custom Remodeling is an award-winning company specializing in room additions and renovations throughout the Jacksonville Beaches area.