Seven Fears of Home Remodeling and How to Survive them

By: DavidPage

Seven Fears of Home Remodeling and How to Survive them

Let’s face facts, everyone has heard at most one horror story about Home Remodeling renovations from a close friend or family member. Reality shows are well-known for featuring the worst examples possible of unlicensed contractors promising amazing renovations at a fraction of the cost. It rarely ends well.

If you’re ready to remodel, but aren’t able to overcome your legitimate home remodeling fears, it is time to educate yourself. Each of these seven common fears about home remodeling are addressed through education and insight.

Fear #1: Not getting the Remodeling Results you Want

There is nothing worse than the crushing disappointment when you spend thousands of dollars on a project and then get disappointed results. This is the biggest fear homeowners have about major home additions, new ADUs, and bathroom remodeling.

A reputable contractor will be able to provide you with a detailed scope and estimate that clearly outlines each measurement, material, paint color, fixture, and other details. You will be able to design a space that suits your budget by working with a design-build agency. You should communicate clearly your “must haves”, and “nice-to haves” during the planning and designing phase. This list will help you to establish your budget and plan for your contractor.

Fear #2: Poor work and inferior materials

Another reason to be concerned is the possibility that the Contractor used inferior materials or did poor work installing major portions of the remodel, even after final payment has been made. Choose a design-build business with a proven reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and quality materials to address these concerns.

Here’s how:

First, ask the Contractors that you are interested to show you their latest work. You can’t go wrong with looking at their work, especially if there is a homeowner nearby, to get a sense of their experience. If that’s not possible, you can ask for references from other clients and find out about their experiences dealing with this Contractor’s craftsmanship, quality, and communication skills.

Although Dallas contractors are not required to hold a general contractor’s licence, inquire about the Contractor’s licenses and certifications. You should also inquire about their subcontractors and suppliers. Ask how long they’ve been working for the contractor as well as their reputation.

You should also check the rating of your design-build firm on sites such as GuildQuality and Houzz.

Also, it is important to be educated about how the remodeling process works at each stage. This will allow you to do regular walk-throughs and help you see how “unfinished work” differs from “poor Quality” work. Remodeling involves many layers and must be done in order. Understanding the different layers and processes is key.

Fear #3: Your Contractor Will Not Deliver on the Promises

Fraud stories can fuel fears about home remodeling. You can’t afford to hire a poor contractor when your home is at stake. Do your homework. You should first look into online reviews and refer to them. Don’t stop at star ratings. You should read reviews in order to see what customers thought. Also, get references from past clients. Do not hire contractors without reviews or an online presence.

If you are considering hiring a Contractor, be sure to pay attention to how easy or hard it is for them to reach you. Is it easy to reach them? Is there a staff member in their office or does the contractor work from a mobile unit? What procedures does the Contractor use to keep you informed during construction? How will they inform you of delays? Is their track record in ensuring projects are on schedule?

Fear #4: Overbudgeting

One of the most common remodeling fears homeowners cite is “Scope creep”. It is important to fully understand the terms of a contractor’s contract when you are looking for one. Traditional design-bid–build contracts allow the homeowner to contract separately with an architect/designer and then with a remodeling contractor. The homeowner will then work with a professional to design the project before requesting contractor bids. The homeowner will then compare fixed-price quotes from multiple contractors and choose the one that will build their project. Change orders can be used to account the scope changes after the contract has been signed. This is where budgets and scope creep often occur.

First, expect delays. It’s part of remodeling. Reputable remodeling contractors will include a grace period in their project schedule to allow for delays. You can expect them to make adjustments to your project to ensure it moves along smoothly. This could include shifting work from one part of the house while you wait for permit approval or a product delay. To ensure peace of mind, schedule regular pre-construction meetings in your home. Stay informed. Stay calm. A professional design-build company will be happy to keep you updated and in-the loop.

Fear #6 – All That Disruption And Inconvenience

There is no way around the inconvenience and disruption caused by a home remodeling project if you are living in the home. As much as possible, plan for the disruption and try to minimize the inconveniences. Talk to your Contractor about how you can access certain areas of the home during construction or how you can set up temporary work stations, such as a temporary, portable kitchen. It might be a good opportunity to take a short vacation from a loud or distracting part of the remodel.

Fear #7: A Big Mess in Your Yard and House

Remodeling can be messy. However, professional contractors will take numerous measures to protect your yard, as well as other areas, from dirt, dust, and other dangers. When interviewing references to clients, find out what protection measures were taken to protect their homes. These include floor protection and isolating dust from work areas in order to prevent indoor air pollution. Ask your Contractor questions about their Project Safety Hygiene protocol. They should explain what steps they will take to protect you and your loved ones, particularly during these “messy” times.

Additional Resource:

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/home-renovation-guide
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/cabinets/21018036/21-ways-to-save-on-your-house-remodel
https://www.thespruce.com/best-home-remodeling-ideas-4685451