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Choosing the right professionals is more than just finding the remodeler or designer with the lowest price. It is more important that the company you choose to work with is the right company for you, so that you, your family and your home will have a positive experience.
Yes, I said “your home.” Depending on the project you plan, the life, health and safety of your home may be some of the most important considerations when choosing a remodeler.
It is important that you are fully aware of the differences between contractors. Unfortunately there are still those who ignore the rules because it is easier and cheaper to do so. People tend to think that nothing can happen so why worry.
The big question is, what if something does go wrong? The other question to ask yourself is if the contractor is ignoring the law what else might they be ignoring. You have very little protection if you do hire an unlicensed or uninsured contractor.
Rather than focusing on price negotiations, you and your contractor should focus on creating your dream for your home. Keep in mind that this renovation is something that you may be living with for years to come.
You certainly don’t want to have any regrets or wish that you had done it differently.
“The small amount that you save now may not be worth it in the long run in other words, cheap is contrary to quality,” said Kevin Vick of Vick Construction & Remodeling and the 2017 president of the GHBA Remodelers Council.
Keep in mind that a professional remodeler will also use professional subcontractors. Make sure that any subcontractors that work in your home are insured. Plumbers, electricians and HVAC contractors in Texas are required to be licensed, but not all are, so ask. You might not think painters need insurance, but they do. Even pros fall off of ladders more often than you might think.
“You don’t want an uninsured subcontractor working in your home,” said Dan Bawden, of Legal Eagle Contractors, 2017 NAHB Remodelers chairman and a practicing attorney. “Should you experience a flood or fire while the work is in process or after completion, you as a homeowner will be subject to aggravation and stress, even if your homeowner’s insurance covers the damage. If your homeowner’s policy does pay for damage caused by an uninsured subcontractor, it will ‘subrogate,’ or file lawsuits against the general contractor and the subcontractor to recoup.”
Homeowner’s insurance typically does not pay enough to fix the damages, so ultimately you may not get enough reimbursement to rebuild, Bawden said. To fully restore your home, you may have to take legal action again the general contractor, the subcontractor who caused the problem and possibly your own insurance company to get a fair shake on the settlement amount.
Remember the importance of communicating with your prospective remodeler. A good remodeler will take the time and make the effort to see that you are properly informed, so together you will be able to make your dream a reality.
This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. For more information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@ idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit www.ghba.org.