You are starting a remodeling project for your home and are considering NOT hiring a general contractor. This might seem tempting if you have some knowledge of construction and hoping to save some money, but don’t shoot yourself in the foot. We do this every day and I would still hire one for my own home!
While it’s important to vet anyone working on your home from the Designer, Architect, to the Builder/General Contractor, there are a lot of things the Builder/Contractor takes care of that you do not want to manage.
A good contractor will take care of the overall schedule, organizing the trades, checking for codes and getting permits related to it. They will do regular site meetings and check-ins to make sure the work is being done right. They check everything against your budget. They are your advocate and want a smooth ride for you (and them). They also have good trades and vendors that work with them exclusively or a lot. So they have a bigger influence on getting them out there to get it all done.
There will always be bumps in the road. No Construction job is without a problem or two. But they are there to provide solutions (along with us designers) and to help implement and expedite any changes necessary to getting the job done.
Doing a remodeling project on your own means you organize the trades. You will be expected to know what order things can happen and if it’s done right. You will also want to be home every day for 6 plus weeks. Even if you work from home, this will be a drag since your home will then be a construction zone. You would need to get a dumpster and port-a potty delivered and know when to get those changed out. You would need to go to codes and or meet with a structural engineer (if you are moving walls). It is a LOT of work!
What questions to ask a contractor you are considering:
- What is my project ballpark? Can they provide allowances?
- Ask them to revise once you do selections & design.
- How long are workers at my house?
- When do they start and how long is this project?
- What are potential delays?
- Where will dumpster and port-a potty go?
- How often will you communicate with me?
- How often can we talk about the financials?
- How do we pay you? Is there a schedule?
- Do you have a communication software/portal?
- Do you order product or do we do that?
- Can you help me set up temporary Kitchen? (if that is affected)
- How will you protect my home while we remodel? (Zippered walls, lock box)
- How will you protect my pets from getting out?
You may have other questions, but this will get you started.
Get your dream team together from the beginning!
It is important to get everyone on your build team together. Hire the architect, landscape architect, Interior Designer, and Builder as close to the beginning as possible. When you do this, you do not double your efforts and everyone will stay in their lane and you won’t pay for services twice.
When you work with Monarch Lane Interiors, we can give you the list of our preferred builders and architects, etc. While you don’t have to use who we do (because we can play nice in the sandbox with anyone), we do know that when we are used to each other and know how the others work, your project just runs more smoothly. This is a fact no matter what design firm you choose.
We love supporting you and your contractor/builder through the entire process. We provide a prelimary plan set once we have worked out the revisions with you and then at the end we provide a final plan set, job book of product details, and we attend site visits to make sure everything is being built the way we designed with and for you!
Want to talk through a design project you are considering? Set up a Discovery call !
Don’t get caught being the contractor on your home! Get the pros who will take good care of you and your investment.
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