…AND HOW TO AVOID THEM! (Part 2)
By: Brian Martin
LOVELAND, OH (April 24, 2023) – This is the second in a five-part series from Brian Martin and TMC Construction Services,Inc. on Loveland Beacon helping homeowners avoid making critical mistakes on any home remodeling project.
I am a very trusting person. If you tell me you can do the job, then I give you the go-ahead and let you do it. I like experts! I look to my waiter or chef to approve my dinner order, if my mechanic says I need a water pump, I don’t second guess him. My insurance person and my bookkeeper do not have to tell me twice. Don’t we all want to deal with people we trust?
Can you imagine going to a car dealership, bringing your own car parts and pieces and telling them: “Here, make this car!” and just pay the labor portion to put your new car together? Or bringing your own food and spices to your favorite restaurant handing it to the chef, and saying: “Here cook this.”
We would not think to do that. The car manufacturer knows more about what car parts to incorporate. Likewise, the chef knows best what foods and spices to use, right?
Sometime long ago a contractor asked their client to purchase materials for a home renovation project – “Here build this!” – and the agreement was made for the homeowner to jump headfirst into the construction industry and find all the right parts and pieces for their project. It sounds like there is a lack of trust, wouldn’t you agree? – Brian Martin, TMC Construction Services, Inc.
Mistake #2–– Hiring for labor only. So you get multiple estimates. Why are they so different?
It may seem like a great deal when you see a lower dollar amount for a remodeling project. However, if the deal requires you, the homeowner, to acquire all of the necessary materials, you’ll soon discover the amount of stress involved. Where to buy? You will certainly be paying retail prices. Did you order enough material? (The labor-only contractor may leave your project if there isn’t enough). Did you order the right size? And what will you do if and when there are material damages or shortages?
This all sounds to me to be very confusing and ripe for complications. If you find a contractor you can trust and feel comfortable with them then trust them to provide all the right materials at the right quantities and at the right time.
There are many really honest hard-working remodeling companies around. They may have different ways of operating so finding one that works best for you and your expectations is key. We all work very hard for our money! So whether purchasing a vehicle, ordering lunch, or tackling that home enhancement project find people that you feel comfortable with, trust, and then allow them make you that ideal steak!
So, once you settle on a contractor, who is actually doing the work? We will talk more about that in the next article.
Remember before you sign, ask lots of questions, seek references, and speak with recent homeowners who have used the remodeling company.
© Copyright 2023 Brian T. Martin & TMC Construction Services, Inc.
https://www.tmcconstructionservices.com/
