High net owners taking part in the home renovation project often rely on a general contractor to oversee the construction process and assist with design and aesthetics. While there are many choices in general contractors, it is always important to hire someone with knowledge, expertise and a reputation for excellence. Last month, we discussed some of the pre-construction risks involved in hiring the wrong construction company to oversee a home renovation. This month, it is time to take a look at some of the potential risks homeowners face during the actual construction process.
Selecting the Perfect General Contractor
When hiring a general contractor, many homeowners interview several before making their final selection. During the interview process, one of the most frequently asked questions is about price. While saving money is important during any renovation, basing a decision solely on price can be a mistake. In addition to asking about price, it is always important to talk about insurance. Make sure the construction professionals you hire carry adequate liability and workman’s compensation insurance for your job. If a contractor is overseeing your bathroom renovation and a pipe bursts, flooding through your ceiling and destroying your hardwood floors below, their liability insurance can save you from a catastrophic financial situation. Equally as important, if a project manager or sub-contractor is hurt on the job while in your home, you want to make sure the general contractor you hire carries adequate workman’s compensation insurance to cover the injury and all related expenses.
Another important thing to consider when hiring a home renovation professional is their knowledge of permits and inspections in your area. Keep in mind that permit requirements and the inspection process are often area specific, so it is a good idea to go with a company that is local to you and familiar with the bylaws and standards in your community. When permits are not pulled before construction begins, many homeowners experience delays throughout the construction process. These delays are often expensive, especially when high end renovations are involved, and they cause stress on homeowners who might be temporarily displaced from their home or living in the midst of a construction zone. Pulling the appropriate permits, filing all pertinent paperwork and providing necessary supporting documents is essential to avoiding these delays, and it can make the difference between a smooth renovation and one that is full of delays and hardships.
This leads into the importance of hiring a general contractor with understanding of the inspection process. This person must be on site for all of your inspections and available to address any questions the inspector may have and immediately take care of any concerns. Hiring a company with high quality standards will help to alleviate many inspection related problems before they occur, and this can save homeowners time and money versus having to redo steps in the construction process and address any concerns after an inspection has occurred.
Keeping Your Major Renovation on Budget
Keeping a high net renovation on budget is all about controlling costs, and homeowners can only control costs throughout their renovation by hiring a transparent general contractor. Working with someone with ineffective communication skills or someone who does not disclose all fees can result in an inflated budget that gets out of control quickly. To keep costs within reach during a kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation or large scale home renovation, discuss communication during the initial interview. Ask about methods of communication which may include phone conversations, scheduled meetings and email correspondence. Ask if your general contractor uses a software program to share information about the renovation in real time or other innovative technology. By choosing the contractor who is open, honest and transparent, you can avoid hidden financial surprises throughout your renovation.
Alair Homes Edmonton is a leading high end renovation specialist with offices across North America. We value the investment our customers make in their homes and work hard to protect their assets. Our local general contracting teams have a clear understanding of all local permit and inspection requirements, carry sufficient insurance to cover even multi-million dollar renovations and put each customer in charge of their home construction project through our commitment to 100-percent transparency. For a free quote and no obligation consultation, call us today.