…and how to avoid them!

By:  Brian Martin

LOVELAND, OH (April 24, 2023) – This is the first of 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 like drinking coffee, not the fancy 3 shot-whole milk-double cinnamon-whip…way too many words at the drive-thru lattes.  Nope, just a simple coffee with a splash of cream for me thank you.  Usually costs me $2.50 and I am happy.  I feel very different when dealing with a car mechanic.  I do not mind paying whatever it takes to get the job done right the first time.  Anyone who has been stuck on the side of a highway will agree that cutting costs on a vehicle repair is not a good idea.  I want the technician with the most amount of experience and I want the best parts made.  I think we all have things we are willing to invest in and other things we are okay with the bare-bones.  I want to decide for myself and not be pressured to make a decision.” – Brian Martin, TMC Construction Services, Inc. 

Whether this is your first remodeling project or your hundredth, it’s wise to be cautious, ask lots of questions, and speak with the remodeler’s former clients. And think through the following:

Mistake #1–– Being pressured to sign a contract.

You should always see renderings or drawings and be completely clear on what’s being proposed.  A qualified remodeling company should be busy and not make you feel the need to pressure you to sign up today.  You work very hard for your money and should be given accurate information in order to make an informed decision without being hassled to sign on someone else’s timing. 

Building material costs can fluctuate week to week however typically not by thousands and thousands of dollars so signing today versus a couple weeks should not effect the total cost very much.  Some companies do offer sale prices that are good for a certain amount of time though being pressured to sign up with a company you are not 100% sure about to save a few percentage points may not be worth the savings. 

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.  Companies that use sub-contractors may work well for some projects and for others you may want a company that employs their own team.  Some contractors only provide labor and will rely on you to purchase all of the materials.  Other companies will provide a cost for the entire project and handle all of the details.  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/