In the Series "How to..."

Get the best from your Trades-person.

We've all heard the horror stories about contractors, builders etc etc who go badly over budget, bodge the job...or simply don't finish the job!  So what's the best way to protect yourself when you're thinking about renovating or extending your home?

We asked Luc Gendron, owner of Habitation Plani-conseil, the d@d resident build expert for his help. Here's his “Top 10 Tips” for getting the job done at the right price...without renovation regrets!

1. Self-analyze your project before calling in the build team for estimates. Be sure YOU know what your project is about before explaining it to potential tradespeople. Work out how much you are willing to invest, and where the money will be coming from.

2. List your requirements clearly in writing. Once finalized it's a useful document to keep for reference purposes throughout the project and can also be used as a draft document for your contractors brief.

3. Get a full and detailed report from a qualified expert. This should give you a clear picture of    what is involved in the realization of your project. And remember, any “hidden” problems that the contractor cannot physically get access to during his research cannot realistically be included in the price. So always allow a contingency figure for nasty surprises when budgeting

4a.Be realistic about what your project will cost. You may not want to spend that much, but to do it right you may need to. Burying your head in the sand will not change the end cost.
Whether you are working with a fixed price, or an hourly rate, remember that it's normal for experienced contractors to have a 10% margin for “hidden” finds and fluctuation in material costs. Ensure your contractor knows how much your budget is for the project: this also forces you to do your sums in advance (see above).

4b. Make sure the price quoted includes ALL work required, not just the surface elements you can see, but the “hidden” ones you often can't: electrics and the modifications required to cope with any changes/additions you may be planning to make to your existing circuit, insulation, venting, etc,. It all costs and it's not your contractor who will be paying the bill. Know what it will cost before you start. Work site surprises are rarely good ones!

5. Check that your contractor is fully insured and can show you the current paper-work to prove it

6. Confirm that your work will be carried out by the company who's contract you'll be signing, and not a sub-contractor. Sub-contractors can be great, but it's much more difficult to control if something doesn't go to plan.

7. Make sure that your contractor includes site protection and clearing-up into your contract

8. Check whether any work carried out is subject to permits. Your local Government offices will be able to give you the guidance you need. It's better to know before: taking the chance to bend the rules always comes back to haunt you...usually at the wrong time!

9. Get a “finish-by” date worked into your contract, with penalties if it goes too far over the agreed date.

10.Ask for references if you haven't worked with the contractor or trades-person before, and follow them up. And if they do good work for you then offer to be a referee for them!

One for luck: For important jobs don't stick with one estimate, get a couple, or even three if needed. But try to compare like with like and make sure everything is included in each quote before you make your decision and sign on the line!

And remember, being an ostrich doesn't change the end price...

Happy renovating!