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Frequently Asked
Questions for Remodeling Projects
We don't
know where to start for our desired room addition. Should we hire
an architect to design our new space?
Is my remodeling
contractor required to give me a warranty on its work?
What's the
typical cost per square foot to add on a room addition?
Wouldn't
I save money for my kitchen or bath remodeling project if I bought
all the materials myself from Home Depot or D.I.Y. and give them
to my remodeler to install?
Why did I
receive such a large difference in prices from the five remodelers
that I had quote my job?
How much
money should I give my remodeling contractor so I can be sure
he won't skip out before finishing my job?
Q: We don't know where
to start for our desired room addition. Should we hire an architect
to design our new space?
A: Although hiring an architect is
an option that you may consider, it probably is not your best
option for most room additions. Rather, you should consider hiring
a Design/Build remodeler who has the experience and capabilities
to design and build your project within your stipulated budget
for two main reasons.
First, by working directly with
a remodeling contractor to design and build your project, you
will control your budgeted costs. The contractor knows the costs
of construction and will design the plans and specifications within
predetermined budgets. This eliminates additional design fees
which frequently occur when an outside architect or designer draws
a project without knowing the costs to ensure the project can
be built within budget . This is one of the most common problems
and frustrations many homeowners experience when not having their
plans drawn by someone other than the remodeler who will build
it.
Second, the byproduct of the reasons
explained above is that the design costs will usually be less
costly than hiring a third party architect. Also, it should be
a more enjoyable experience for you in working with a knowledgeable
and experienced contractor who is totally responsible for the
design and construction of your remodeling project. You'll be
working together from inception to completion as a team with one
major goal in mind - designing and building your dream project
within your designated budget.
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Q: Is my remodeling
contractor required to give me a warranty on its work?
A:
No. A surprising fact that many homeowners find out too
late is that a remodeling contractor is not required by Ohio law
to provide the consumer with a warranty. Unless an agreement or
contract clearly stipulates a warranty provision, there is no
binding warranty provision to ensure quality workmanship and required
repairs if defective products or workmanship is discovered.
Always ask the contractor to see
a copy of the written provisions of the warranty to ensure you
have adequate protection from defective work. There is a written
limited warranty program supplied by the Remodelors Council of
the North Coast Building Industry Association (NCBIA) which provides
a one year limited warranty protection against defective items
contained in the warranty program. Ask any remodeling member of
the NCBIA Remodelors Council to obtain a copy of this warranty
program.
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Q: What's the typical
cost per square foot to add on a room addition?
A:
Remodeling is such a unique and custom form of construction
that it is impossible to accurately quote a project by square
foot price without knowing all specifications of the job. Prices
can vary dramatically depending upon several factors including
size, location, materials used, demolition to existing house,
tie-ins to existing, etc. Some additions are built for $100.00
per square foot, others at $200.00 per square foot, while some
additions cost $300.00 per square foot and up.
Have you ever tried to buy an
automobile per square foot? Which do you think would cost more
to buy per square foot - a Chevy Cavalier or BMW 450 SL Convertible?
It's pretty obvious that one vehicle will cost two or three times
the amount per square foot as the other. The same is true with
room additions and other remodeling projects. It all depends on
specific details as noted above.
The best way to proceed in getting
a price estimate is to discuss your ideas with a qualified remodeler.
He or she can give you a ballpark estimate based upon the type
of job involved. Contact a member of the North Coast Building
Industry Association Remodelors Council for more information.
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Q: Wouldn't I save
money for my kitchen or bath remodeling project if I bought all
the materials myself from Home Depot or D.I.Y. and give them to
my remodeler to install?
A:
All experienced remodeling contractors have overhead costs
as part of doing business. These include salaries, office, rent,
administration fees, trucks and vehicles, insurance, computers,
accounting, etc. In order to pay for these expenses and earn an
honest profit for the risks of being in business, remodeling contractors
need to count on sufficient gross profits from all jobs.
Part of the gross profits include
markups on all labor, subcontracts and materials to form the basis
of sales prices. If a contractor cannot include a fair markup
on the products used in a remodeling project, he or she will not
have sufficient gross profits to cover overhead , expenses and
earn a fair profit. There just would not be enough markup on labor
only to provide enough return in exchange for the risks of being
in business.
An analogy would be, if you walked
into your favorite fine restaurant with a grocery bag of food
bought at the local food market and asked the restaurant to cook
your food and reduce the menu prices accordingly. I'm sure you
know what the answer would be. The restaurant counts on a fair
markup on all their food (products) in order to receive sufficient
revenue to cover their operating expenses and earn a fair profit.
Remember that experienced remodeling
professionals don't just provide an installation, they provide
a valued service to assist you in design, analysis of all products
and materials to be used, quality workmanship, and warranties
to protect your continued satisfaction with the products and services
provided. Allow your contractor to earn a fair return for their
expertise and assistance in making your remodeling project an
enjoyable one for you.
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Q: Why did I receive
such a large difference in prices from the five remodelers that
I had quote my job?
A:
The easy answer is that you received five different sets
of products and services provided by the different remodelers
quoting your project. This is what happens in nearly every situation
in which a clearly defined set of working drawings and detailed
specifications are not identified by all contractors. You will
always end up with an "apples to oranges" comparison
of products, services and prices.
What should you do in a situation
like this? First, you should never have more than three qualified
contractor estimate any project. Spending the time and effort
dealing with five contractors is usually a waste of time and energy.
Second, give each contractor a written, detailed list of all included
items to be incorporated into the proposal. Include product manufacturer
numbers to be as specific as possible.
Many contractors prefer to just
deal with product allowances rather than pricing specific products.
When using allowances, do you think the contractors are giving
you enough to allow for your specific tastes? The vast majority
of the time, the answer is no. Typically, homeowners who sign
contracts with contractors using allowance figures end up paying
substantially more for those products when final decisions are
made on selections. This is called "low-balling" a price.
This allows the total sales price to be lower than a contractor
who has priced more expensive products. Although one contractor
may appear to be lower priced, it is not uncommon for that contractor
to actually have a higher price after final overages from contract
allowances are figured into the final change orders.
It's equally important to understand
that remodeling is not a "products" business, it's a
"service" business. A remodeler has to provide you with
a level of quality workmanship and services to ensure your satisfaction
and happiness throughout the complicated remodeling process. Make
sure you feel confident with your remodelers' past experiences
by talking with previous clients. Would they do business again
with this contractor? The greater number of satisfied clients,
the better your chances of having an enjoyable remodeling experience
with that contractor.
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Q: How much money should I give my remodeling
contractor so I can be sure he won't skip out before finishing
my job?
A:
If you have any doubts about the ability of your remodeler
to perform on your contract to your full satisfaction, you should
not do business with him/her in the first place. If you do not
know the contractor or know someone else who has done business
with him/her, contact the local building department of your city
and ask questions about the contractor's capabilities.
Each contractor has their own
policies and procedures concerning homeowner payments. Typically,
remodelers require a down payment of 25-50% of the contract price
for small jobs and 10-33% for large jobs. The remaining payments
are typically spread out over the term of the project based upon
work performed at various stages. Before paying the contractor
in full, you should have all work completed to your satisfaction.
If one or two minor items remain to be completed at the end, most
remodelers require the entire project to be paid in full except
a small holdback amount until completion of those items. Remember
that remodelers are not bankers and rely upon the homeowners to
provide sufficient payments to pay their bills, including payroll,
and office administrative costs. While it is the responsibility
of the remodeler to provide quality workmanship and good service,
it is the homeowners' responsibility to make prompt payments as
stipulated in the sales agreement.
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