A new year also generally strengthens the resolve to get the to-do list around the house completed or at least started on. The year starts out with a long list, a wish list if you will, and a renewed vigor to check things off of that list. As remodeling contractors we see a very visible uptick in new projects during the first several months of every year, and this year has certainly started out no differently.

With all of the new project planning going on, why do some folks seem to have a much easier time getting their project completed? And why do they seem to enjoy their finished product more than others? The answer lies in the planning steps that they take, either consciously or unconsciously, that lead them in the right direction.

Here are a few ideas that may help you become one of the few who gets their project done this year and enjoys it for years to come.

1. First and foremost try to assemble your projects in order of importance to you or in logical groupings if you plan to do more than one project at once. It may make sense to start with a small project such as a bathroom remodel rather than finishing out the basement.
2. Write down what you like about what you have now. For instance, if you are considering remodeling your kitchen there, are probably at least a couple things that you do like about your current kitchen.
3. Write down what you like least about what you have now and why it doesn’t work for you. This could be something like “my kitchen does not have enough storage and I can’t easily get to things I need.” This likely will be a much longer list than number two.
4. Make a wish list of features that you would like to incorporate into your project. This wish list should include some items that you absolutely “must have” and a few that are “like to have”. At this point it’s ok to dream, but also be very clear about putting down features that will make the project worth it in the long run.
5. Lastly, consider one of the most feared words in the English language…budget. Any project attempted without a clear budget will go over-budget for sure, and generally that will ruin even the best new addition or outdoor living area. Household finances, return on investment, how long you plan to stay in the house, and many other factors play into this step. Everyone that you talk to, from family members to co-workers, will have a different opinion so this is one that you have to tackle yourself.

A well-planned and thought out project will run more smoothly for everyone involved and generally will cost much less than one that is more haphazard. If you follow the outline I have listed above, you will be on your way to a successful project. The next key is finding a contractor that is well-prepared and thinks ahead as well. With a plan and a good working relationship with a qualified contractor you can be well on your way to enjoying the fruits of your planning while others’ plans are still just gathering dust for next year.

National Association of the Remodeling Industry has the following information.

What are the questions I should ask potential contractors?

NARI members share the short list of questions they are usually asked by homeowners and offer a list of questions that you should ask:

Timing and money are the most common questions a home improvement contractor hears, but during an interview with a homeowner when homeowners should be asking about credentials and verifying business practices what is often heard is, “When can you start? When will it be finished? How much will it cost?”

These simply aren’t enough. Yes, timing may be “everything” in comedy, but that certainly isn’t the case when it comes to remodeling. If you are going to have a successful remodeling project, you need to learn the right questions to ask and how to ask them.

When a group of NARI remodeling contractors were asked what questions homeowners asked most frequently, the group unanimously agreed that their most popular queries were:

• When can you start?
• When will you be finished?
• What time will you knock on my door each morning?
• What time will you quit for the day?
• Are you going to work every day?
• Can you finish before (insert any major holiday or significant family event)?
• How much will it cost per square foot?

Unfortunately, these are not the type of questions that are going to tell you much about a particular contractor.

While a reasonable timetable and budget is important, it shouldn’t be the primary focus of an interview or a job. Homeowners should also focus on trust and quality.

Start by asking questions about a company’s business practices and experience in a similar type of project. If you decide you want to hire a particular remodeling contractor, then you can discuss when he or she can start, what time he or she can knock on your door each morning and when you will have your home to yourselves again.

Here are some questions NARI members recommend you ask before signing a remodeling contract:

• How long have you been in business?
• Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job?
• Who will be working on the project? Are they employees or subcontractors?
• Does your company carry workers compensation and liability insurance? (Always verify this information by calling the agency. A copy of an insurance certificate does not let you know if the policy is still current. Even if the certificate has an expiration date. you cannot tell if the insurance has been canceled by either party. If licensing is required in your state also ask if the contractor is licensed and call to verify compliance with the law. Not all states offer or require licensing. Check with your local or state government agencies.)
• What is your approach to a project such as this?
• How many projects like mine have you completed in the past year?
• May I have a list of reference from those projects?
• May I have a list of business referrals or suppliers?
• What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business?
• Are you a member of a national trade association?
• Have you or your employees been certified in remodeling or had any special training or education, such as earning a Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Remodeler Specialist (CRS) or Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) or Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler (CKBR) designation?

It’s also important to realize that sometimes it’s not the answers you get that are significant, but what you don’t get. Asking the right questions is not enough. You need to pay attention to your instincts and to what information is missing.

Unlike your accountant or stockbroker, your remodeler will be a part of your daily life and available for some on-the-job education. He or she will be privy to your personal life, more so than your doctor or lawyer. Your contractor will know how you look early in the morning and how well behaved your dog is. It makes sense that you should take some time to carefully select this person and make sure that it is someone to whom you can ask questions.

Remodeling can be a fun experience. You get to create your dream room or home and learn a little about design and building along the way. All you need to do is ask questions. Questions that, according to NARI members, remodelers don’t feel that are getting enough of. So tap into your curiosity and ask away.

More information on the NARI site.

This article so closely mirrors my experience that it’s almost as if I wrote it. Over and over again we contractors hear questions about price, start dates, and time to finish from potential clients. These are all valid questions that need to be answered in time, but they should not be the determining factors in who to work with. I suggest that you make the initial meeting with any contractor into a job interview session where he/she is in the hot seat. Now more than ever it is important to ask as many questions as possible and only take specific answers. Don’t accept side-step answers that don’t really answer your question. The construction industry has gone through very hard times lately, and you do not want to get caught up with a contractor who is barely hanging on or who is attempting projects that he has no experience with. You have a right to ask as many questions as you like, and many of the suggested questions above are excellent ones that will tell you what kind of person/company you are dealing with. Once you do that and ascertain that this is the company for you, by all means ask the pricing and timing questions. Remodeling and building are very fun and exciting when you know that you’ve asked all the right questions and you’ve selected the best contractor for your project.

With every good deal there are always some hidden items that need to be addressed. First of all, finding the bank-owned house that meets all of your criteria can be a bit of a task. Then negotiating an agreeable sales price and date with the lien holder(s) can be difficult. Lastly, the financing can be a real hurdle, especially if the home needs a significant amount of repairs or updating to meet your needs. None of these items can be taken lightly, and all of them require the right amount of guidance from seasoned professionals to make the process as smooth as possible.

Once a home has been found that seems to match most of your criteria, the next most critical step is determining what remodeling or repair work needs to be done to get the house into move-in condition. Even brand new homes that are being auctioned off generally will have extra costs associated with them for deferred maintenance or items that the original builder did not finish. The whole rest of the process of purchasing the home hinges on this one step, for without developing a cost for construction there is really no way to make an informed offer to purchase the home.

To determine the cost of the repairs sounds simple; just call a couple contractors and get some estimates. Sounds easy enough, right? Not exactly. The best way to go is to get the home inspected by a reputable home inspector, and preferably one who is experienced in building science, meaning they can distinguish between cosmetic issues and real problems. You should let the inspector know what your plans are for the home so that he can build his inspection around your intended remodeling or updating. If the house has any cracks of appreciable size or unknown origin I would strongly advise that a licensed structural engineer be brought in for an inspection. Your home inspector, unless licensed as a structural engineer, cannot advise you on how to correct structural deficiencies, so it is very important that if abnormal cracking is seen in foundation or sheetrock walls that a structural engineer be called in for a separate inspection.

With the inspection(s) complete it is now possible to move forward with the cost estimating. Determine what items you will fix, what will be updated, and what will be remodeled entirely. Also, will you be performing the work yourself or will a contractor be involved? That is a question that only you can answer, but it needs to be decided at this point, and if there is any question about tasks that you may or may not perform yourself then for now plan on having the contractor take care of them. This way you will lessen the chance for budget surprises on down the road. Using a contractor may be the right move for you, and if it is then the time is now to quickly get the estimate for construction put together. Be careful to work with a contractor that is well-versed in home remodeling and renovation, and be sure that they are very detail-oriented. Remember, the offer you make will be based upon what the estimated cost of construction is, and once you have an accepted offer there are no “do-overs”.

Following a good process and relying on experienced professionals can allow you to make the right purchase, and customize the home to your liking without breaking the bank. For personal use or investment, purchasing bank-owned property can be an excellent investment. For more tips on purchasing foreclosures check out The safest ways to buy foreclosures.

Prior to 1978 there were many products used in the construction of housing that contained lead, such as paint, stains, varnishes, and other surface coatings. Lead was added to these products to improve durability and color. The use of lead in these building products was banned in 1978 by the Consumer Products Safety Commission as the health risks to humans posed by lead became apparent. Lead exposure causes permanent health damage and is especially hazardous to children and pregnant women.

The activities typically associated with renovation, such as sanding, cutting, and demolition can create large amounts of lead dust and chips when done in homes containing lead-based surfaces. The new RRP rule went into effect on April 22, 2010, and it requires that all contractors who work on projects in pre-1978 housing must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Contractors must take an eight-hour EPA approved training course from an EPA-approved training provider which teaches specifically how to test for lead, contain the work area, minimize dust, and clean up thoroughly.

Few exceptions to the new RRP rule exist. Homes that were built pre-1978 and even some built shortly thereafter need to be tested for lead using an EPA-approved lead test wherever renovation activities are to take place. If lead is detected on any surfaces then homeowners can opt to do the work themselves on their own residence, but if they use a contractor to complete the work the contractor must have RRP certification and follow the RRP lead-safe work practices. Rental homes are not exempt from this rule and cannot be worked on with any renovation activities disturbing lead-based surfaces unless the landlord or the contractor has their RRP certification.

The effects of the new RRP rule are far-reaching, and significantly change the cost of renovation to pre-1978 housing. Maximum civil penalties for non-compliance can be up to $32,500 for each violation, regardless of whether firms are certified or not, so ignoring the rule is not a good option. Following lead-safe work practices adds significant time and materials to any project, not to mention the up-front cost of testing to determine if lead is present. Before even developing a scope of work the contractor should test for lead in the areas to be renovated, simply because if lead is found it will significantly change how the scope of work will be performed and the estimated costs. Also, those considering the purchase of a home built pre-1978 may also want to have some spot-testing done on the home that they choose, as the presence of lead-based surfaces will impact their abilities to perform renovation projects in the future. Some projects will become cost-prohibitive if lead is present due to the overwhelming additional cost of meeting the RRP rule standards.

To find out more about the new RRP rule you can go to the EPA website, http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm. We are a RRP certified firm so you are also more than welcome to contact us for more information as well.