Replies

1. 
   StevieG | Sep 28, 2005 06:34am | #1

   The best advice I can give is to hire someone you trust, and let them do the job. You should be in contact with the supervisor / owner frequently to keep the communication lines open. I suggest you do not bother the workers, they typically have no say and are doing what they are told. Remember that changes and additions will come up - they always do, be prepared to make quick decisions - and ask the G.C. how much it will cost up front. Nobody likes extra charges at the end of the project. Also remember - you will be inconvenienced and it will get dusty and messy. Be prepared for the worst!

   StevieG

1. 
   hvdcman | Sep 29, 2005 01:57am | #2

   Thank you for the input. It seems like it is very important to have someone you trust and then communicate with them. This is what we are hearing over &

    over.

2. 
   WayneL5 | Sep 29, 2005 03:22am | #3

   Hiring the right contractor makes everything go smoother.  There are things you can do that help, too.

   Discuss with the contractor what you want and come to agreement.  Then don't tell him how to do the job.

   Make your decisions on time.  Some items, especially special order, can take a long time to get.  If you hold up the schedule it will cost you money, if not obviously at least it will cause inefficiency working around it which you'll pay for in labor.

   Don't try to buy materials for the contractor because people often don't get the right parts, or buy wrong sizes or materials, or cheap stuff that is difficult to install.  If you have a few special items you want to order, discuss that ahead of time.

   The more thoroughly you have planned out what you want the smoother and cheaper the job will be.  Changes on the fly are expensive.

   Pleasant conversations and questions about the work are good.  But, if you are a long winded person be careful not to tie up the contractor in hour long discussions every night.

   Complement the workers occasionally when something they do looks good.

   All changes and criticisms must go only to the boss.  Don't stop any workers or ask them to change anything unless you've tried to contact the boss and couldn't.  Even then you should leave the boss a message immediately.  Don't make any side deals with subcontractors -- all work must go through the general contractor.

   Don't pick subcontractors for the GC.

   Pay every bill on time the day you get them.

   You should check the references they give you and see the work with your own eyes to judge quality.

   You could casually ask who they normally buy materials from.  Then stop in those stores and ask the store people about them.  They know what quality materials the contractors normally buy and how fussy they are.  Ask if they pay on time (often you won't get an answer, but if you do it can be insightful).  If you know the building inspector you can ask his experience with each contractor.  They are not supposed to recommend anyone, so don't be surprised if they won't say much, but often they'll hint about someone they would shy away from.

1. 
   hvdcman | Oct 06, 2005 05:24am | #4

   It looks as though alot of our thoughts are being reinforced. We are trying to get many of the decesions made about different items we would like. Write them down and ask alot of questions now before the construction begins. Am also thinking that coffee & snacks would be a very good thing when we can.

3. 
   madmadscientist | Dec 17, 2005 12:57am | #5

   From the list of things that you want added on to your house it does not sound like you are seriously hurting for cash.  Do not pick the lowest bid contractor-The lowest bid is almost never the best deal in the long run.

   Pick someone you can work with and really check out their references.  Make sure the contractor is completely legit too.

    

   Daniel Neuman

   Oakland CA

   Crazy Home Owner

1. 
   ckroman | Dec 23, 2005 10:42pm | #6

   We are about one month from final completion on our major remodel and I would concur with most of the above suggestions, but in spite of those it's been a very frustrating process.The main problem is that Southern California is on overload with remodeling projects, making it impossible for anyone to get anything done when they say it will be done. Here are some suggestions based on our experience:- Plan twice as long for your project to be completed than your GC says it will be done so you will be pleasantly surprised if things go better than anticipated versus distraught. - Lesson learned (multiple times): Be clear in your contract terms WHAT the consequences will be if they are late. Our GC is paying our monthly rent in our apartment as the timeline has extended. Some contractors will promise $X ($50/$100) per day.- I disagree with those who urge people to not talk to subs and stay out of it once you have communicated what you want. All the delays on our project have occured because of slow communication between the GC and subs despite our clear communication. Yesterday for example, the drywallers put the wrong texture on the walls (even though the right one was in the contract) and it will now take 7 working days to fix. We have caught nuermous errors in process (except this one!) by asking questions and watching what was going on closely.- I thought we would get better service in a busy remodel market by having the GC handle the subs. In fact, we have found we get faster service and better prices when we use our own subs and so pulled all the finish work out of the GC contract. I guess it all depends what kind of person you are. We are clients who have very clear ideas of what we want, good project management skills, and have done lots of home do-it-yourself projects in the past. However, we never thought we would have to be as involved as we have been when hiring a GC.Good luck!

1. 
   StevieG | Dec 24, 2005 08:28pm | #7

   It sounds to me like you may have hired an unqualified (or lazy) GC. A good general contractor will have communication with his subs. They (subs) should also have a subcontractor agreement with all of the specs that were chosen before the job started. It is obviously a good thing you folks were around to keep subs in line, but that is what a good GC should be doing.Good luck in the final phases of your project.StevieG

1. 
   ckroman | Dec 24, 2005 08:48pm | #8

   Actually, our GC came highly recommended by many, many people including other contractors who were too busy to do our job. We were personally impressed by his integrity, skilled communication, and willingness to let us use his own subs outside of the contract to keep our costs down. Also his financial generosity when things haven't gone well. He is highly experienced w/30 years in the industry.The problem is that he is overextended and so has inexperienced project managers that are overwhelmed with too much work. Our situation appears to be the norm in our region with just about everyone we know doing any type of remodeling contract w/any contractor.My feeling is that the homeowner is the best person to watch out for his/her own interests as the contractor tends to be juggling several (or more) projects so the focus just isn't the same.