You may think that managing your general contractor will be a piece of cake. Think again. Whether you are hiring someone to oversee the remodeling of your entire home or to just help make sure a few projects are carried out correctly isn’t relevant: every job, no matter how large or how small, should be managed in the same way. This will ensure you both get the best results possible, and that you also avoid any nasty disputes which could, eventually, lead to a prolonged legal battle.
Here is a list of the most common dos and don’ts to get you started on the road to happy home improvement. Some may seem fairly fairly self-explanatory - but you’d be surprised how many people get caught short by not following the most obvious rules!
DOS
Everything you need to establish a healthy, productive relationship between yourself and your general contractor…
DO: Make sure you detail all the work you want done – and how you want the work carried out – beforehand in a concise legal contract. Not only will this avoid drawn-out disputes in future, it will also help to ensure that your needs and requirements are fully understood from the very beginning.
DO: Write up a contract which includes the exact scope of the work, meaning you should spell out in detail what work you do and do not want done. For example, you may want all the internal doors fitted, but you may prefer to paint them yourself. Make this clear from day one.
DO: Put in the written contract the exact time frame for the work to begin and end, with a possible penalty for late work. Also, make it clear when your contractor will be paid and who will be actually shelling out the cash – you, or a financial institution authorized by you. Finally, you may want to add that you will withhold half of the project fee until everything has been completed – to your satisfaction.
DO: Make sure you have all the necessary site considerations ironed out in advance of work starting. That means your contractor should be fully aware of workers’ parking, site access and working hours, as well as toilet and eating facilities etc. You wouldn’t expect to start working in an office that had no canteen, drinking fountain or restroom, would you?
DO: Always check that your contractor is fully aware of any safety issues particular to the project or the site, and that they have passed them on to other workers and sub-contractors, if relevant. This also includes putting in writing the location of all power and telephone lines, drains etc.
DO: Double-check that your contractor has all the necessary insurance, licensing, permits etc needed for the job – in advance. And be wary of someone who laughs off your questions, or appears affronted if you ask to see a permit or proof of insurance. An honest contractor will happily supply whatever you need – only a dishonest one won’t.
DON’TS
Stay away from these all-too-common mistakes by knowing what types of things to avoid in the first place…
DON’T: Rely on verbal agreements. Even if your contractor seems like a really nice guy - or gal, comes with a glowing recommendation from the Johnsons down the street, or is a third cousin of your college friend Joe, you still need to have everything written down. You may be tempted to waive this consideration if the job is a small one. Don’t.
DON’T: Accept your general contractor’s standard written contract without tailoring it to your specific needs. This may mean striking out clauses which you believe are not in your best interest. If their contract states that you must pay for any additional labor or materials which may arise at a later date, strike this out! Insert instead that all additional labor and materials not previously agreed on must be agreed on by you in writing before purchase or hire.
DON’T: Expect your contractor to be a mind reader – especially when it comes to personal taste. Often we don’t state the obvious because it seems, well, obvious! But if you expect those rolls of horrid flocked wallpaper to land up in the garbage can, and not on the wall, you better state your intentions – before it’s too late!
DON’T: Treat your contractor like a slave. You’d be surprised how badly some people treat others who work “for” them. Everyone, from a waitress to a taxi driver to someone installing the toilet in your home, deserves to be treated with equal respect. If you feel, however, that your general contractor is not worthy of your respect, it’s time to hire someone else.
DON’T: Forget that your written contract must cover both ownership of workmanship and materials as well as the warranty of the materials.
DON’T: Forget to discuss in advance how any disputes will be dealt with – this will put an end to any potential problems before they begin to fester.
DON’T: Leave deadlines up in the air. Even if you are paying per project, and not per hour or per day, it is still important to set out a time frame in the very beginning.
For far too many people, hiring and ultimately managing a general contractor unfortunately turn out to be the hardest part of any remodeling job, causing untold stress and anxiety. But it really doesn’t have to be that way. Managing a general contractor shouldn’t be all that taxing, if you start from the premise that honesty, disclosure and mutual respect and trust are all the best policies. Good luck!
