Tips for remodeling
Angie Hicks of Angie's Listoffered some tips for planning your remodeling project in today's Real Estate section.
1. Plan ahead. Kitchen remodels have a lead time of 12 to 18 weeks; longer for special orders.2. Interior projects are great during the winter months because contractors can work inside. Start planning exterior projects in February as most can get outside in March or April to start the work.
3. Don’t purchase plants too early in the season. The best selection won’t be available until early to mid-May. Overnight freezes will hurt the plants, and low temperatures don’t allow for the nursery to carry a good variety.
4. The Chicago Bungalow Initiative, a specialized program for owners of historic bungalows offers tax credits for energy-rated windows and furnaces. Learn about it.
5. Be wary of contractors who want large payments before they’ll start to work. Don’t pay more than half up front. Your first payments should generally be for materials.
6. Check out a contractor before hiring ONE. Check the performance record of the contractor you plan to hire through Angie’s List, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) www.nari.org and the Better Business Bureau. If your contractor balks at providing references, move to the next one on your list. Get names of previous customers, and find out if they were pleased with the work and the timeline of the project, as well as if they’d hire the contractor again. Get the names of subcontractors and ask if they work with the contractor often and does he pay on time.
7. Know the budget will change. Experts warn that you should expect an increase of 10-to-15 percent on top of the proposal — more if your project reveals unexpected problems.
8. Know the details. Often, homeowners assume certain specifics are included in the contract, such as appliance installation. Understand in advance how any change orders will be handled. Check that your contract includes a lien waiver, covering payments to all subcontractors who worked on the project.
9. Ask how the contractor will deal with the list of small items remaining to be completed at the end of the job. A good rule of thumb is to determine the cost of those items, double it, then withhold that amount from the final payment, until the list is complete.
10. Prepare for the stress. How will the project change your routine, especially if it’s a kitchen or bath? Where will materials be stored? What are the working hours for the crew?
Angie Hicks
