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The Home Remodeling
Bill of Rights
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Republic West Remodeling, a specialist in home remodeling, recently published an infographic and guide detailing the standards by which a homeowner can measure a contractor’s performance. Titled “The Home Remodeling Bill of Rights,” this valuable information will help you know what to expect before you begin a remodeling project.
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Over the years, the remodeling industry has gotten a bad rep, and deservedly so. But Republic West Remodeling wants to change that. We want our customers to know that working with a remodeling contractor doesn’t have to be a pain. Knowing your rights will save you from the quintessential nightmare experience. Armed with specific knowledge, you’ll avoid the headaches and hits to your budget that are all too common in the remodeling world.
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Some of the topics covered in the guide include:. • Cost Certainty – The term “cost” can have a myriad of meanings. Sometimes, less than ethical home remodeling contractors play games with the numbers. What you think will be your final project cost may be just a starting point for contractors to tack on extra expenses. By using various techniques during the course of work, contractors can drive up costs significantly.
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Some cost increases are justified during remodeling and homeowners should be prepared for the unexpected. Certain problems may be uncovered after construction is underway that will add to your budget. Your contractor may discover faulty electrical wiring, plumbing leaks or other issues that only pop up after walls, ceilings and floors are torn down.
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However, steps can be taken to minimize unnecessary overruns. Your contractor must fully detail the scope of your project before you sign a contract. By listing all work and materials, there should be no need to add anything unless you change your mind. It’s important your contracting company spends the time necessary to do a good estimating job upfront – before you’re locked into the contract.
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• Design Certainty – Before taking the plunge into remodeling, homeowners typically explore many design options. They gain inspiration from all kinds of sources and formulate it into their dream project.
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Make sure to not lose sight of your vision! If you do, you risk getting a final project you’re not happy with and doesn’t reflect what you originally had in mind.
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How can this happen? When remodeling contractors, designers, architects and other professionals come on board, your design vision may get pushed aside. These folks are really good at visualizing space and may see more workable solutions.
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Of course, these professionals will have some great ideas that may improve on your design. But you need to strike the right balance between professional creative input and maintaining your own design requirements. You need to always make the final decision on design for your project!
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• Schedule Certainty – Have you heard about the remodeling project that was suppose to last six weeks, but went on for six months? Chances are you have. Or at least some variation of a project’s ridiculously extended time frame.
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The nature of the remodeling industry operating in a tough economic climate means many contractors will have commission-based salespeople and designers rather than full-time, in-house staff. And, the sub-contractors the contractor hires will take on as much work as they can. The subs could have multiple projects going on at the same time.
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Because remodeling needs to happen in a linear fashion, it will be difficult enough to maintain a schedule under these circumstances. If one sub goes off to work with another contractor, your whole remodeling could come to a screeching halt. Throw in any unexpected project problems and the schedule can really get out of whack. Therefore, you must select a contractor that has developed a detailed plan for you project and has ample staff on-board to execute it.
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These are just a few of the topics discussed in Republic West Remodeling’s infographic and guide. To download your copy of “The Home Remodeling Bill of Rights,” visit http://www.republicwestremodeling.com/remodeling-and-construction.php. About The Author Jim Weisman is owner of Republic West Remodeling, an Arizona-based company specializing in home remodeling: kitchens, bathrooms, room additions, outdoor living spaces and more. For more information about Home Remodeling, visit http://www.republicwestremodeling.com today.
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