Do you remember when you purchased your home - all the steps that were involved? Even before you found the place you wanted to buy there were paperwork and research and preapprovals and questions needing to be answered... you get the point. Buying a home is at the top of a ladder filled with things you need to do, so it should be no surprise that projects with and for your home are the same. Whether you are looking to do an exterior project and are thinking of using Dependable Solutions, LLC or you're wanting to start an interior renovation, these tips should help!
Here are a few things you'll want to have ready before you contact a contractor for your home project:
What do you want done? The very first thing you should know is what you're looking to have accomplished. I'm sure you have a general idea - for example, you need a fence. Do you know what kind of fence? Color? Style? Height? Do you need any gates? Are you looking for wood or metal? Will you need to contact your neighbors? Or your HOA? What do you want the fence to do? Do you need it to corral your dogs? Do you need it to protect your property? See where I'm going here.
There's a LOT of information to go over and it's important that you have a good idea of what you want before you talk to someone trying to sell you something. It's OK to not know everything, that's why you're hiring a professional after all, but having an idea helps. Here are a few things I would suggest knowing about the project, at the minimum:
What do you need and why? Tell your contractor what you're looking for. If I'm using the example above, I know I need a fence to keep my dog out of the neighbor's yard.
Does your HOA or neighborhood have style guidelines. If yes, be ready to provide these to your contractor and go over the options before they do an estimate.
Do you want standard or custom? Knowing whether you want something to just do the work versus having a custom feel will help your contractor figure costs and timelines.
Bonus points if you have pictures of the style/design to provide to your contractor!
Do you need a general contractor or a specialty contractor? Did you know there are different types of licensed contractors? A general contractor is legally able to do or oversee most work themselves* and can hire any specialty contractors needed, such as plumbers or electricians. Specialty contractors are only allowed to do the work they're registered/licensed for - which they've applied for with the state and cannot hire subcontractors to take care of any work.
Knowing which type of contractor you need and the responsibilities of each will streamline your process. Not to mention, knowing if you are acting as your own general contractor on a project - which is legal in Washington State. You may not realize it, but if you are a homeowner general contractor, you may be liable for injuries and workers on your property and may need extra insurance. You may also need to file as a general with your city's building department, like this example for Redmond, WA.
If you'd like to learn more, read this article from The Seattle Times from 2006. It has plenty of good information on the pros and cons of being your own general. (*I want to make a note that general contractors are able to do/oversee most work however, their insurance may not cover it. Verify with them that the work you want to be done is insured.)
What is your budget? I'll admit, it's hard to budget for something that you have no idea what it costs, and having a number in mind only to find out that to get it done right will double (or triple!) what you expected is never a good feeling, but you have to know what you can realistically spend. If your contractor doesn't know your budget, there's no way they can give you actionable options. They won't be able to break down the "wants" from the "needs".
Here is where I hear about the fear of being taken advantage of. Let's be clear when I say, this absolutely happens. But if you're worried your contractor is going to take advantage of you, should you be trusting them with your home in the first place? The point of a budget is to spend that money on what it's budgeted for, so of course, they're going to give you an estimate that uses the money you've allotted. But a good contractor will fit as many needs and wants into that budget as possible to make the project all that you want it to be. Have a budget that you are willing and wanting to spend and be ready to discuss it with your contractor. Check out this article by Dave Ramsey if you're looking for more information on budgeting for home projects.
Have a list of at least three contractors to contact. Before you sit down to call, make sure you have a list of people to contact. The process of finding someone to complete your home project can be stressful and exhausting. It becomes easy to go with the first one you find to just "get it over with". Don't do this. We highly encourage you to get at least three bids - with at least one that is not a referral, before signing with anyone. This isn't even about comparing costs - you'll always find someone cheaper. But cheaper, especially in the construction business, does not mean better. You get what you pay for. But by getting multiple bids, you'll be able to get a good feel of the company's process, how easy it is to work with them, how their customer service is, and what exactly they will do for the price. Read our article on FAQ's and Five Red Flags When Hiring a Contractor.
Where will you be in 5, 10, 20 years? Mainly, are you planning to still be in this home. If you tell your contractor you're looking to sell in the next five years they can help you come up with the best solution to provide value for your home while staying under budget. There's a big difference between someone who's staying and enjoying a feature of their home for the foreseeable future and someone who is looking to jump ship. Temporary fixes or upgrades are always a possibility depending on the plan. Here's an article from Home Light that talks about the ways you can use upgrades to increase your home's value.
Sure, you won't necessarily get denied if you don't do one or all of these steps. You can just call a contractor and have work done. You may also have a big surprise when things don't go as expected and you're left unhappy and throwing good money after bad. By having just a few of these items ready you'll feel more prepared to take on your next home project!
Looking to customize your outdoor living? Get a quote from us today!