Remodels - Part 2

As I have been paying attention to websites that allow customers to post work or projects they would like to complete, a couple of things become extremely apparent. Communication and reality. There was a posted project asking for drywall, insulation, and finish carpentry in a basement. Easy enough to understand. The poster happened to forget to put his phone number in the post. The very first comment by a builder was a sarcastic comment about needing a phone number if you expect people to call. Cross that builder off. The next one said he would be happy to help with everything, including things the poster was not asking for. In and of itself there is no real harm in seeking after additional work, but then he followed it with a "Life-time warranty". Does that mean 20 years from now when a cabinet door has seen it's useful lifetime, he will repair or replace it for free? If so, have this company build everything and you'll never have to worry about maintaining your home! Now why would he offer that? Because he knows that he won't ever have to be held to it.

Now, that being said, I warrant my projects longer than the required 1 year. But I communicate clearly what that means, and it does not mean a life time warranty. This is construction. Nothing, even if it is perfect on the day the project is finished, remains perfect for its lifetime. That is just a fact. Early in my career I was managing a job for a doctor and we were finalizing the project details prior to beginning the work and my employer at the time, with good intentions, said, "We'll give you a perfect job." Those words are dreadful to the ears of the person responsible to live up to that on a remodel. Luckily, the owner was keen enough to say, "Don't promise that because you can't deliver it. I just want the best you can give me, which is why I am hiring you." Profound. This goes back to the previous post about proper expectations being established on the work to be done and what is considered satisfactory.

This doesn't mean "see what you can get away with", but rather it puts you and your builder in the realm of what is important and what someone is willing to pay for. For example, there are multiple "classes" of drywall finishes, each progressing in steps of difficulty and needed expertise, and therefore progressing in price as well. Does a home need a class five finish that is usually reserved for high end commercial projects? I would say it would be a waste of money in most homes. The list of examples goes on for each step in constructing a home and then is multiplied if you are doing a remodel. I am currently remodeling the kitchen of a 100 year old home. The walls are literally built from mud adobe brick. Luckily, the client understands that and we have established what we will do to meet her expectations and stay within her budget. To even come close to a promise of perfection on job like this would mean to tear the house down and start over.

To reiterate, establish proper expectations with your builder. Don't be swooned by dramatic promises of performance or warranty. Stick with the addage of,"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't". I would add that if your subcontractor or builder isn't listening to what you want and he doesn't have the job yet, he won't listen to you when he has your kitchen torn out either.