…AND HOW TO AVOID THEM! (PART 5 of 5)

Final of a 5 part series

By: Brian Martin

LOVELAND, OH (September 28, 2023) – This is the fifth and final installment 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.

“Good plan, good results …”

My uncle is the wisest human being I know. He taught me about running a business. He taught me how to create processes and procedures, marketing, and business operations. However the most important lesson Uncle Gil Effron taught me was about kindness. He did not necessarily speak to me about it, He showed me. No matter how busy or tired he may be when I call, he will always drop what he’s doing to listen and help me.

One important thing he always says to me is: “Good plan, good results…Bad plan, bad results.” In my weekly travels meeting area homeowners to discuss their home enhancement desires I will typically ask if they have met with other contractors or received any estimates. I know this can seem like a sales trick, however, I really just want to help them. Often the estimate they have received is just a cost estimate that comes with little or no plan.

For example, the estimate will say something like: $20,000 = new tub, new plumbing, new cabinet, new tile.

Mistake #5 Not having a plan.

“Good plan, good results. Bad plan, bad results.” – Uncle Gil.

I know it may seem like everyone is on the same page. You explained what you want when the contractor was standing right in front of you as you discussed things. He, or she even nodded in agreement. I mean the paperwork indicates the old items are leaving and the new items are going in. Simple, right?

A week into the project you notice there is no tile going on the wall behind the tub. There is not a new electrical outlet on the wall above the vanity where the new LED backlit mirror is going, and the floor tile is being installed without taking into account the heated floor system you wanted. You ask the contractors working in the bathroom and they say you never told them about those things. Well, this is no big deal, let’s just go pull out the drawings and plan. Wait….there are no drawings or plan? Uh-oh! Is this the contractors fault, or your fault?

This is why there are sayings like, “fell through the cracks, dropped the ball, swung and missed…”.

Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner, can I ask you for a favor? Please do not be so quick to blame the contractor if an issue comes up. Contractors today are working extremely hard and they carry a lot of stress trying to balance all the challenges this industry throws at them. Most contractors are really good people!!

Hiring someone to work in your home is a short-term relationship where both parties need to work together in an attempt to eliminate any potential issues. A good plan can be an important key to a successful project.

If an issue arises, remember wise Uncle Gil and be kind.

My motivation for these “5 critical mistakes” is simply to help. So many great contractors are looking to help kind homeowners. There is the right fit for your project if you look to avoid critical mistakes.