There are some people who like to have clear control over a situation. They want to know what the plan is and make sure it’s progressing every step of the way as intended. Truth be told, we all want that, but when you’re working with a contractor on a home renovation, you aren’t going to […]
How to Track Your Renovation Progress Without Micromanaging Your GC Read More »
When you’re paying for a renovation, you want to know the total price. How much is this new kitchen going to cost when all is said and done? Totally fair question. So, it’s understandable that one of the first things homeowners look for in a construction contract is the bottom line. One of the last
Understanding Your Draw Schedule: When Your Contractor Gets Paid and Why Read More »
When most homeowners create a renovation budget, they think about the obvious expenses, of which there are many: cabinetry, flooring, appliances, fixtures, labor, permits, and the list goes on… What rarely makes the list, however, is the cost of navigating the project itself. And yes, there’s a cost to that (sometimes a much bigger cost
Why Every Homeowner Renovating Over $50K Needs a Project Advocate Read More »
We’ve all heard horror stories of renovations gone wrong. A “bad” contractor left your neighbor high and dry. Your cousin experienced change order after change order that sent their budget sky high. Your last renovation failed the final inspection twice because of “misunderstandings.” None of these, unfortunately, is an anomaly. They happen with a regularity
The 3 Renovation Mistakes That Cost Homeowners Thousands Read More »
When you’re investing a whole heckuva lot of money on a renovation, you want to make sure the job is going to be done well. And instead of crossing your fingers and hoping you’ll pass the final inspection, it’s far better to track the progress along the way. That way, if something seems to be
Renovation Inspection Stages: What Gets Checked and When Read More »
Renovations are stressful. There’s just no getting around it. The stakes are high. The investment is steep. And everything feels like a negotiation. When that negotiation has to happen with your general contractor, it can feel even more tense. You don’t want to come across as difficult, and you certainly don’t want to strain the
How to Negotiate with a General Contractor Without Ruining the Relationship Read More »
A homeowner recently showed me three contractor bids for the exact same kitchen renovation. The lowest bid came in at just under $58,000. The highest was nearly $90,000. And her first question? “Why is one contractor charging thirty thousand dollars more for the same project?” The answer? The contractors weren’t even bidding the same project.
The Homeowner’s Guide to Reading a Construction Bid Read More »
You write a check to your general contractor, watch the work get completed, and assume everything is settled. Then, weeks later, you receive a notice from a subcontractor claiming they weren’t paid for their work and they’re filing a lien against your home. Say what?! That can’t be, you think, because you’ve already paid the
What Is a Lien Waiver and Why You Should Ask for One Read More »
You’re standing in a house that needs everything. The roof is at the end of its life. The electrical is original to the 1960s. The plumbing is galvanized and running slow. The kitchen hasn’t been touched since 1992 and look like it. The bathrooms aren’t any better. A contractor just handed you an estimate, and
New Construction vs. Full Renovation: How to Choose and What’s the Cost Difference? Read More »
The message comes in on a Tuesday. Your contractor has an update. Something came up during demo, and the project is going to cost more than the contract. The number they’re quoting is real and needs to be addressed before work continues. You didn’t budget for it. You’re not sure the explanation fully makes sense.
What Happens If Your Contractor Goes Over Budget? Read More »
