Contractors may be your primary go-to person if you’re planning a home remodel, renovation, or expansion to gain more living space.
To ensure things go smoothly, here’s a few phrases you, as a homeowner, should never say to the contractor.
I hope these tips are helpful…
1. “I’m not in a hurry.”
Sometimes we think that saying something like this is a valiant move to create rapport. Actually, this phrase implies the contractor and crew can take as much time as they’d like with your project. What we find usually is this is interpreted as “go ahead and leave my job if something else comes up”. This is not what you want.
2. “We had no idea this would be so expensive.”
You should have the conversations about budget and costs up front. Getting this part out of the way is imperative. A contractor who worked hard to put together a proposal for your project thinking they have priced it well will likely move on to other projects if they think your budget is unreasonably low for the quality of work you expect.
Bear in mind that a good contractor will want to have the budget discussion up front so likely you’ll never get here.
3. “I’ll buy my own materials.”
Contractors usually get wholesale prices for the materials. It’s often part of their business model to manage the procurement and resale to you of the materials. Taking the time to select and transport materials is part of their job. Also, a good contractor will use sources for materials and supplies that are reliable and high quality. Let the contractor do all of their job… after all, they’re the professionals.
4. “I’ll pay up front.”
You shouldn’t finance someone else’s business, and you don’t want to lose bargaining power from the start. A written and signed contract between you and the contractor should ensure the contractor will get paid, and you should consider making payment contingent on the job being done to your satisfaction. The contractor should be agreeable to this as long as you can establish how you’re measuring ‘satisfaction’. As well, you want to be able to hold the contractor accountable for the work they do, or don’t do.
5. “We can just shake hands, paperwork isn’t really important.”
You should always feel good about getting the full outline of work and payment terms in writing. A written contract protects you and the contractor. This helps ensure that the project will be completed on budget and on time. Get everything in writing first.
Thinking about buying a new home, or getting ready to sell? Call me today!
Zachary Epps, GRI®, ABR®, MCNE®, CLHMS®, SRES®, REALTOR®,
RE/MAX Hall of Fame, RE/MAX Platinum Club
I’d seriously enjoy having the opportunity to talk to you about your plans if you’re moving, or if you know someone who is considering a move, and needs some straight answers.
Also, I’m never too busy for your referrals. As a real estate professional intent on giving back to the community, my relationship-based approach is exactly what you’ve been looking for in a helpful RE/MAX Professional.