(289) 456-4044
Wild Raspberry
  • Home
    • About Us
  • Portfolio
  • Services
    • Vacant Staging
  • Realtors
  • Sarah says
  • Contact Us

The Contractor Dilemna

1/28/2014

1 Comment

 
Thinking of renovating your home?  Many "do-it-yourselfers" wouldn't hesitate to pick up a hammer or a drill, even open up a bag of mortar and maybe after a little bit of online research, feel confident to get the job done themselves to save a bit of cash.  I've done it, and it can be very rewarding.  But it can also cause setbacks, disappointment and you may even end up spending more money in the end fixing mistakes you have made.  So when should you put down the tools and call in the professionals?  And how do you know which one to hire?  It can be a tricky business, but I have laid out some basic guidelines below to help you with the process.


Should you hire a Contractor?  


Let’s face it, when it comes to plumbing, electrical and structural issues in your home, you should definitely be hiring a licenced contractor.  And please don’t skimp out on the finishing work!  Many a job has been destroyed by poor finishing work.  Yes, the guts need to be in fine working order, but that’s not what shows on the surface.  There is nothing more disheartening than putting a ton of money, time and effort into a project to get it done right, only to see a poorly finished product.  If you’re not skilled in the construction trades, it is probably best to hire a contractor so that the job gets done right.

Which Contractor should you pick?  

It is always best to talk to a minimum of three contractors – more if possible.  According to Mike Holmes, the truly professional contractors make up about 20% of all of the contractors out there.  So three is definitely a minimum.  And remember, in order for a contractor to quote properly, they need to physically visit the potential job site.  

The first question that usually comes to our minds when trying to choose a contractor is – how much will it cost?  This question is certainly important; everyone has a budget, but it is not the most important question.  The first question you should ask is – what quality of work do you do?  A good contractor should be able to provide you with references and also a portfolio featuring the work they have accomplished.  

Next: ask about permits.  Always ensure the contractor obtains the correct permits for the work they do.  This will provide peace of mind for you – the client – that the job has in fact been done right.  

Finally, never pay for a job up front.  10% down is a reasonable price to pay to get a job started.

Ultimately, the choice is yours.  But remember that price will depend on what the job is, and what quality of products are being used.

How to manage a Contractor

There are two basic ways to do this: 

  1. Hire a general contractor to manage the work
  2. Manage the individual contractors yourself


Whether you choose the first or second option, communication is key.  You need to be clear with your requirements.  It is best to go into a contract agreement with whomever you hire so that there are no misunderstandings about the job.  If any red flags pop up, you always have the contract to fall back on.  

Finally, as long as there is mutual respect, clear communication and a solid contract, management of a contractor should be a smooth process.  

1 Comment

It's That Time of Year!

1/22/2014

0 Comments

 
There's nothing like a Sunday full of open houses!  For me anyway...  Houses are popping up on the market every day and it's only going to get busier!  The mad rush is about to begin - and I'm ready for it - are you?

  If you're getting ready to list your home, there are some key points to remember:

  1. STAY CALM


Ok, so that's really all you have to do.

There is a world full of professionals to take care of everything for you!  

In today's society full of "do-it-yourselfers", that last statement may not occur to you.  But I have to warn you that when it comes to something as big as selling your home, doing it yourself can be detrimental to the whole process.  

If you want to stand first in this competitive real estate market, your home has got to stand out.  Having your home staged professionally will do just that.  

Take a look at what professionals are saying about it here.

So take a deep breath -

If you do this right, you won't have a chance to think twice!

0 Comments

    About Sarah

    Sarah Church is Wild Raspberry.  She has renovated and successfully sold three of her own houses within the last 4 years.  More here

    Archives

    January 2014
    November 2013

    Categories

    All
    Contractors
    Declutter
    Emotions
    Moving
    Renovation
    Staging

    RSS Feed

Sarah Church / 289.456.4044 / sarah@wildraspberry.ca