How can I tell if my house has unpermitted work?
Now, the only way to know if your home has unpermitted work is to go through the records and check if all the repairs have permits. However, there’s a chance that you might miss some. You can always consult with your real estate agent once. They deal with hundreds of homes and will know the exact work that require permits in your area.
What should I know about contractors and markups?
Contractors don’t want to talk about it, but they’re going to mark up everything they pay out to make your job happen. That’s fair; it’s how they pays their own overhead and salary. Keep it in mind that the 50% or more markup may apply not just to materials but labor costs, too.
What should I look for when choosing a contractor?
This may include materials you wish to use and floor plans. Although cost should be one of your deciding factors, other points to consider include scheduling and communication style. TIP: Once you picked the best contractor for the job, keep your project on track with an ironclad contract.
How can I find out if I can hire a general contractor?
To find out the law in your area, check with your local or state consumer agency. What you should do: A small deposit is reasonable to kick off a project. But your payment plan should be based on a defined amount of work being completed. This way, if the work isn’t proceeding according to schedule, the payments will be delayed.
Are there any red flags when hiring a contractor?
Beware of These 8 Red Flags Finding the right contractor for a major renovation is like finding a spouse. You have to have chemistry, you have to be on the same page, you have to trust each other, you have to love pugs, and you must share a passion for Korean barbecue (oh, scratch the latter two—it’s not totally like finding a spouse).
Do you want to know everything about the contractor?
No, it’s not a vanity issue for contractors. Instead, the contractor wants to know that you’re settled and confident that the contractor’s company is best for your job. Second-guessing once the project has begun won’t help anyone. Those remodeling contractor fees can seem high.
Can a contractor underbid a remodeling project?
Generally, you should have little or no issues with the trades if the contractor feels good enough to work with that person. Suspicious homeowners are sometimes convinced that contractors underbid remodel projects, all the while planning to load up the projects with extra tasks after the contract is signed.
What happens if you have a problem with a contractor?
Should you have a problem with a certain person in the trades, the contractor might go so far as to pull the person from the project, if only to smooth things over with you and keep the project running. But that’s a rarity. Generally, you should have little or no issues with the trades if the contractor feels good enough to work with that person.