When a home renovation project doesn’t go as planned, it’s crucial to have a contractor who can respond and pivot to make changes. Avoidable problems include paint color discrepancies and ultra-tight deadlines. To prevent these issues, an intuitive team and excellent communication are essential.
When managing a renovation, staying organized with a home renovation checklist is the best way to stay organized. It’s important to document all transactions and contract details, clearly communicate your concerns, and ensure that the contractor has enough time to rectify the situation.
Some common construction problems homeowners experience include not being aligned with their spouse or partner, phone tag or rescheduled, and not being in alignment with their partner. To address an incomplete renovation despite payment, document all transactions and contract details and clearly communicate your concerns to the contractor.
Understanding common variables that can delay your home remodeling timeline includes not being aligned with your spouse or partner, phone tag or rescheduled, and not being in alignment with your partner. By following these tips and guidance, you can avoid these issues and find ways to solve delay issues that have arisen with a bad contractor.
In summary, when a home renovation project doesn’t go as planned, it’s essential to have a contractor who can respond and pivot to make changes. Be clear about your expectations and give the contractor time to rectify the situation.
📹 Well, This Didn’t Go as Planned
What you’ll learn: How to adapt when a building project doesn’t go as planned. Tips for working with unconventional materials …
How do you prevent a contractor from ripping you off?
To prevent being ripped off by a contractor, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and due diligence before hiring a contractor for home improvement projects. This includes verifying the contractor’s credentials, licenses, and insurance, using online reviews, testimonials, and references, and checking with consumer protection agencies or the Better Business Bureau for any complaints or disciplinary actions.
Obtaining multiple quotes from different contractors allows you to compare pricing, services, and expertise. Be wary of quotes that are significantly lower or higher than others, as they may indicate potential red flags such as using inferior materials or cutting corners. Evaluate each quote carefully, considering the scope of work, materials, and payment terms. Trust your instincts and trust your instincts to protect yourself and your investments from contractor fraud and deception.
Why do contractors take so long to finish a job?
Contractors often take longer than expected due to various factors such as unexpected delays, changes in project scope, labor shortages, schedule delays, and unexpected changes. Homeowners should communicate their expectations clearly with the contractor and have a written contract specifying completion deadlines to avoid potential legal issues. Documenting evidence and claims early on can help build a case against unfinished contracts or contractors who fail to deliver as promised. Finding a new contractor may also be an option depending on the circumstances. Embark on a home renovation project and be prepared to face potential delays in completion.
Can you charge a contractor for taking too long?
Construction delays can result in a breach of contract claim, which requires a valid contract, proof of the defendant’s breach without excusable reason, and either liquidated damages or actual damages suffered. If the contractor is responsible for delays, they may sue the contractor, as unnecessary hold-ups can lead to revenue loss. There are various types of construction delay claims, including breach of contract, liquidated damages, and actual damages.
What not to tell your contractor?
When planning a home improvement project, it is essential to have a reliable contractor who can communicate effectively and keep the project on track. Avoid saying phrases like “I’m not in a hurry”, “I know a great roofer/electrician/cabinet installer!”, “We had no idea this would be so expensive”, “Why can’t you work during the thunderstorm/snow/heat wave?”, “I’ll buy my own materials”, “I can’t pay you today”, “I’ll pay upfront”, and “I’m old school”. These phrases can lead to delays and make difficult decisions, so it is crucial to choose someone you feel comfortable with.
Another phrase to avoid is “I’m not in a hurry”. This phrase implies that the contractor and crew can take their time with the project, which may not be beneficial. In reality, time is money and convenience, so insisting on a timetable from the start can lead to a project taking longer than expected.
How to deal with a contractor behind schedule?
When a contractor is not meeting expectations in maintaining a reasonable schedule, it is essential to have a rational conversation about your concerns. Be prepared with notes about specific project delays and explain that you are paying a lot for the remodel and that construction delays are negatively impacting your life. Tell the contractor that you are willing to compromise on completion timing but want a reasonable schedule. Remember that both parties want the project completed and fully paid for.
If you decide to sue a contractor for delays, it will only stop the project until the lawsuit is resolved, which can be costly and unlikely to result in a good outcome or a significant monetary settlement. If you choose to fire the contractor, it will create a contractor dispute and create new headaches. If the contractor doesn’t finish the job, you may report them, make a claim with their Surety Bond, or file a lawsuit.
What kind of delays would allow a contractor to receive an extension of time?
Excusable delays are non-compensable loss of time that a contractor receives an extension of time without additional payment. These delays are not the fault of either party to the contract and are not enforceable. The contractor bears the costs associated with the delay, while the owner also bears the consequences. Common examples of excusable delays include strikes, inclement weather, and strikes unless caused by the contractor’s breach of a labor contract or an act contrary to reasonable labor management.
Compensable delays, on the other hand, entitle the contractor to both a time extension and compensation for extra costs caused by the delay. Owner-caused delays are considered compensable unless the contract contains an enforceable no-damages-for-delay clause. Some delays that would normally be excusable may become compensable if they flow from an earlier compensable delay.
Contract provisions for compensable delay vary, and understanding these provisions is crucial for protecting the interests of both parties. A contractor cannot reasonably expect to be paid for self-inflicted delays, but they would expect compensation when the delay is caused by the owner.
How long should it take for a contractor to provide an estimate?
The typical timeframe for receiving a contractor’s quote is 2 weeks, from the In-Home Consultation to the Project Proposal Meeting. However, factors like project complexity, such as intricate design elements, specialized materials, or unique construction methods, can increase or decrease this time. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider these factors when determining the timeline for a contractor’s quote.
How do you motivate a slow contractor?
To motivate your contractor in a construction project, offer incentives and rewards for meeting or exceeding your expectations. This can include bonuses for completing the project ahead of schedule, discounts for staying within the budget, or referrals for great work. To foster a positive and productive relationship with your contractor, choose the right contractor with long tenures and great references. Low bidders may not deliver the desired results at a relatively low price, and if you don’t cultivate partnerships, quality teams may go to those who valued quality and partnerships all along.
By setting expectations and choosing the right contractor, you can ensure high-quality work on time and within your budget. Remember, construction is losing more people to retirement faster than we can backfill, so cultivating partnerships is crucial to ensure the success of your project.
How to handle a contractor that is taking too long?
Homeowners should follow these tips to address a contractor’s delays in remodeling projects:
- Document communications with the contractor in writing to keep a record of the conversation.
- Keep a record of the timeline of the contractor’s work and progress in your home.
- Do not make remaining payments, hire a new contractor, or take legal action if the contractor takes too long.
- If the contractor is dragging his feet, consider hiring a new contractor or taking legal action against them.
- Keep a record of the contractor’s days worked and progress in your home.
- Take photos at the end of each workday or week to provide evidence of the completed work.
- If the contractor is unable to complete the project, consider hiring a new contractor or taking legal action against them.
In summary, homeowners should follow these tips to ensure a smooth and successful remodeling project.
What is the delay clause in a construction contract?
A no-damages for delay clause in Florida allows contractors to recover additional time but not additional compensation for costs incurred due to delays from any cause. However, there are instances where a contractor can still recover damages for delays, despite the “ironclad” language typically used in such clauses. The first Florida case reviewing a no-damages for delay clause was Southern Gulf Utilities, Inc. v.
Boca Ciega Sanitary Dist., where the court found that the contractor’s complaint “stated a cause of action for damages caused by the knowing delay of the public authority, which transcends mere lethargy or bureaucratic bungling”.
Triple R Paving, Inc. v. Broward Cty., 774 So. 2d 50, addressed what actions or inactions by an owner transcend “mere lethargy or bureaucratic bungling” for a contractor to be entitled to delay damages. The Fourth DCA found that the engineer had prior knowledge of the design flaw and that the subsequent failure to apprise the contractor constituted “willful concealment of foreseeable circumstances which impact timely performance”, which was sufficient to overcome a defense based on the no-damages for delay clause.
How do you know if a contractor is screwing you?
A contractor’s red flags indicate that it’s time to fire them. These include asking for too much money upfront, poor management of subcontractors, exhibiting unprofessional behavior, such as keeping strange hours or using drugs or alcohol on the job, refusing to sign a contract, having poor communication skills, not following the guidelines in the contract, managing subcontractors poorly, and stealing from the contractor. Other warning signs include a reluctance to sign a contract, poor communication skills, and failure to adhere to OSHA’s safety guidelines.
Contractors who perform shoddy or unsafe work and demonstrate a lack of competence should also be watched out for. It’s best to spot this Hyde-like behavior early on, when the contractor hasn’t shelled out a lot of money for incomplete or shoddy work, gotten far enough down the line with the contractor to make it difficult to get out, or driven yourself nearly batty with frustration and/or rage.
📹 When The Renovation Doesn’t Go As Planned…😨
When The Renovation Doesn’t Go As Planned…SHOP: www.jocebedard.com ✨HANGOUT WITH ME HERE✨ …
Don’t feel too bad, I’ve been doing barn restoration/renovation for about 10 years now up in Michigan and when it comes to staircases and railings it’s pretty tough to make everything perfect. Nothing is straight or level. You just have to work with what you have and make it look as nice as possible. There’s so many angles to deal with when you get into loft situations. Don’t get discouraged, it’s looking great!
I would have thought you’d want the end of the ladder to be a bit higher, so when descending the ladder you had something to grab onto as you turn to descend.. If you were climbing onto a flat roof, would you only extend the ladder 8 – 12 inches above the edge of the roof? I think about pre-installed fire escapes and how far the handles extend above the roofline It seems too that higher handles would make both ascending and descending safer. Are you really comfortable with Mrs W and the Sweetloaf climbing up and down that ladder?
Building a mortise and tenon house held togather with oak pins. Been at it for 4 years and im almost there…..always cut big and work it smaller a little at a time…when drilling or mortising always go small and chisel bigger in small increments….you cant take back any mistakes in timber… They are forever. Take your time, sit in the “chair of idea and knowledge” and just look at it and build it in your head before beginning anything. Your cabin looks beautiful
Theres baluster hardware you can buy for mounting large posts like this. Its basically a large bolt that you install from the bottom with a metal plate for extra support, then smaller bolts thread into the large bolt from the sides, you just gotta drill you holes and counter sink the heads. You can even hide the bolts heads with some wood dowel plugs. It holds very strong from every direction. Solid
Hey you have a great website, I have a question for you let’s say it’s a shtf situation that been for over a year and your axe/ hatchet handle breaks and you don’t have hickory trees around your area what other types of wood can you use and you don’t have any boiled linseed oil what can you use in place of it?
Oh wow, I like the natural wood look. Around the opening I Think it would be nice to put some wide list like waterboard to cover the edge and make it stronger. Then she can have candles on top of them. And oil them to have a fine finish og lack them. Then you can have a frame around the opening witch you can later make a floor door for decor if that would be an option. Cool project, love it. Blessing to you and your family. Hope your handy man get well fast.
Star your a minor leaguer trying to play in the Majors…🫣 Your doing everything backwards and Why toe nail a safety rail into the floor instead of mortice and tenon…good grief man…the end post was already cut to length ok just drill down and install a 3 inch by 12 to 16 inch peg (tenon) into floor beam and into poast…do some homework before article time…( If your not there…Become )…🖖
As a carpenter, I have seen countless attempts of people thinking my job is easy. I blame the stupid renovation shows on tv. I watched 1 of them once, & had to ban myself from perusal them, or my tv may have been smashed. I agree Joce, painting is the worst. You have to be smoking weed to do that job
I live in an apartment and I got all my cupboards replaced. 3:40am we hear a huge crash that scared the living hell out of us. Go to check and everything inside the cupboards all over the floor and the cupboard hanging half off the wall. The crash was so loud we had the cops come to our door to see if we were ok.
I installed my own washing machine, simple enough.. went away for a few days after and got a phone call that I’d flooded the downstairs neighbours kitchen.. he was an alcoholic and I just picture him perusal the tv control float past him like that’s not right.. 😅 sorry Ken. Thanks for always taking my bins out and being very understanding. What a gentleman. Yeah I moved soon after.
Painted my in-laws house with the father-in-law. He decided to hose the dust off the roof tiles so the ladder wouldn’t slip while painting the second floor. Of course neither of his sons would help. Basically he made mud, slippery mud on the roof. I was trying to steady the ladder when it slipped he fell off the ladder, it knocked my legs out from under me. We started sliding off the wet muddy roof. I managed to hold on for dear life. Fortunately the neighbor kid saw us and brought the ladder back up for us to get down. The older son was sleeping in the room, which we were painting the outside of. He kept sleeping. We almost died because FIL did a dumb, I didn’t know any better since I was helping out after putting in a full days work. That would have been fun for their mom to explain. Yeah they died painting the house, but now it’s not finished. Actually that what she and her mom would’ve said. Now tge house is only half painted!
My sister decided to renovate the kitchen in her 150 year old house, she is very close to finishing after 4 years. Basically, everything had to be replaced from the floorboards to the ceiling. It does look extremely good and is the correct style for the house, including the massive wood burning stove but after that, she has decided that the rest of her house is good enough as is.
Door one, not upside down but they didn’t get the right size door. Lots to reno here but started w lipsticking and doors im retrofitting old doors in the house…have to fix the gaps. These are Doors i had before moving here that i wanted to reuse…normally id look for ones exactly those sizes. Previous owners stripped the house of character im trying to replace it. House is 1880s but has ugly 1970s core doors, or newer french ones (keeping).
Wait… for the person @ 12 min that paid someone that did a cr**py job. Why wouldn’t you make ThAT contractor reimburse you the amount it’s going to take for the next contractor to fix their mistakes? If they refuse, take them to court. $20K is a lot of money to just give someone because of another person’s mistakes. I would be demanding reimbursement.
wrong sander for the floor, as long as it doesn’t strip too much they should be able to resand it.. it’ll take some time to get the swirls out for sure. always got to be careful w the direction if its floors or a project you want to stain. ps rule of thumb… if the bathrm hasn’t been renoed in a decade.. expect to gut it… esp if other “handymen” have tinkered w it. I call that the “while I’m here”: aka the money pit, lol. BTDT.. our old house IDK why the claw tub didn’t fall through the floor. previous owners maybe ones who put in the bathrm originally ( it probably had an outhouse way back) cut most of the joists under the tub for plumbing… the floor was higher than that level bc of the plumbing but I guess not enough. one of the boards we replaced was from a shipping crate, aside from the knob n tube we got replaced, the pipes were galvanized, PVC, probably lead… and also cast iron… we pissed the hardware guy off when we wanted a coupling of different sizes… I said it didn’t matter bc we had everything… all the sizes LOL. we plan to gut our current main bathrm plus more.
Okay so not my mistake but my lovely grandfather was tasked with picking up the paint for my parent’s first home. Somehow the paint that my parents ended up with was Pepto bismol pink, and since my entire family were immigrants they couldn’t afford to just go and buy more paint so we had a pink house for quite a while when I was groeing up! 😂
Skilled trades…are skilled trades…sometimes its better and cheaper to hire a pro. We wasted so much money trying to drywall after getting our old house rewired i wished i gave up keeping the plaster and removed all walls…would have been cheaper less plastering covering the different depths to match the plaster walls. About a ft was removed around all rms to fish wiring around. Our house had lathe n plaster over THICK tongue n groove boards…floors and walls it was a nitemare for our electrician. We need to redo hydro here..idk how much walls well remove. Houses are a money pit. We will have to gut a few places min to seal insulate, air vapour barrier,rewire, replumb redrywall and paint bc… “while im here”😅
My dad put in new plumbing one time and the house ended up flooded. He cleaned it up as best he could but apparently water damage got underneath the tile to the wood and rotted it. One time my uncle came over and he had to use the bathroom so he goes in there and sits down on the toilet…if you already guessed the wood broke. tile brain and the toilet (and almost my uncle) fell through to the ground, you’d be right. Turns out the water had caused a lot more damage than we realized…like 5 months extra remodeling worth of damage.
Had hardwood flooring in my basement. Then a leak. Floor started levitating. For context it’s 1200 square feet. Paid the $500 deductible to insurance and asked for tiles incase this happened again. Got 18×18 feet tiles installed. Team had to replace drywall and baseboard too. Paying for insurance “paid off” in the long run 😂😂😂
I’ve had a few bad home rennovations by contractors. when we replaced our windows and doors the contractor kept ordering the wrong sizes for both, they were both off by several feet (door too big, window too small).. My other was when we had a dry well installed in our yard and they broke the storm drain pipe for our house causing our basement to flood several times.