Tale of a Home Renovation - Finding a Contractor.

The next step in the renovation process is to find a contractor to turn your dreams into reality! The first thing to decide is how much control you want in the overall process. There are contractors who will do everything from the initial design to the final floor covering. These contractors are called “turn-key” contractors. They coordinate every aspect of the project so that it goes according to (their) plan.

You may wish to oversee the contractors yourself, which makes you a "general contractor". That means you are responsible for coordinating and scheduling the work. You cannot have the electricians installing light fixtures the same day that the flooring contractor is installing the hardwood flooring. It just won't work. You can save a little money this way, but one misstep or delay on your part and that savings is gone. The second time something goes wrong, it uses up your contingency fund. The third time, your wallet becomes lighter.

Contractors are plentiful. The Great Recession became a great depression in the construction industry where unemployment is 35-40%. There are lots of hungry contractors out there, the trick is finding the right one. This is where you must practice “Caveat Emptor – Buyer Beware”. Do your due diligence. Finding the right contractor is the most important decision you make in this long process.

Licenses, insurance, and referrals are a must. Ask family, friends, and colleagues for contractor experiences, both good and bad. In this economic climate, referrals may be the best gauge on what to expect. Each state has an online registry of contractors, good and bad. One of the most important things your contractor should do is listen to your wants. Again, take the time to think about your choice of contractors.

Remember the movie “The Money Pit”? My favorite line, repeated throughout the movie, is when Tom Hanks asks the contractor, “How much longer is it going to take?” The contractor responds each time saying, “Oh, just another couple of weeks.” Here's the lesson: if the contractor says it is going to take four weeks, you allow, in your mind, eight weeks; if the contractor says three months, you allow six months. In other words, double the amount of time. You may be pleasantly surprised when they complete it on (your extended) time.

For the renovation, I chose Meadowlark Builders out of Ann Arbor, MI. I became a member of Efficiency First, the home performance contractor group and became a steering committee member of the Michigan chapter. This is where I learned about Meadowlark Builders. I chose a turn-key contractor because I do not want to be responsible for those missteps and delays. Let the experts to do the work, they know their business better than I do. I thought about getting plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, floor tiles, appliances, and windows. Guess what? The contractor who installs those materials will guarantee the installation, but not the materials. Meadowlark Builders has a three year guarantee. Think about it.