5 reason home improvement projects go bad

·       Poor planning – Weather you are hiring a home improvement contractor or a embarking on a home renovation project yourself, engaging in pre-construction planning is paramount to its success.  It’s important to understand all of the systems your remodeling project will impact so you can plan accordingly and not have the reactive strategy of “since we’re doing this now we might as well do that”.  With some careful planning you’ll save time and money in your home renovation project.

·       Bad Home Remodeling Contractor – If you are going to use a professional home remodeling company, avoiding poor planning is partially the contractor’s responsibility.  An experienced remodeling contractor will always assist you in completing the pre planning for your project.  Reputable contractors want your project to run as smoothly as possible so you will be happy and the contractor can make a profit.  If you know you don’t have a good grasp of what you want to accomplish with your home renovation project and the contractor you are talking with is willing to try and read your mind and start your project you should probably be talking to another contractor. 

·       Contracts or lack of – Contracts are an important part of getting home renovation work done.  Whether you are contracting out the entire project or portions of the project to trade contractors having a clear written contract that delineates the responsibilities of the parties involved can avoid messy disputes and costly delays.  Also changes are inevitable in home renovation projects.  Make sure the contract includes hourly rates so changes can be handled on a pre-determined cost basis.  More on contracts here http://www.keeverandassociates.com/seattle-contractors-more-than-just-nuts-and-bolts/

·       Sequencing – Home renovation and remodeling projects are if nothing else a carefully choreographed dance of craftsmen and materials.  Understanding the sequence of how homes are built is very important.  When things get done out of sequence there is a good chance you’ll either end up with a finished product you aren’t happy with or you’ll end up renovating your remodel.

·       Loose ends – Things don’t fix themselves.  It’s part and parcel with sequencing.  Complete step 1 before you move to step 2 etc.  Too often I see contractors or homeowners take the attitude that they’ll get to this or that later.  Well the reason it’s being left for later is because it’s a difficult problem that requires some time or research to resolve.  Get it figured out sooner than later because chances are it won’t get any easier down the road.