Don’t Ignore Permits & Be Wary of Too Many “Unforeseen” Problems

The remodeling world is not without complications; however, a good contractor is
trained on how to handle these issues with respect for the homeowner. It is
the contractor’s job to make your life easier, so if you feel like the opposite
is occurring then it is time to weigh out your other options. Here are some
issues to watch out for when dealing with a deceitful contractor.

Unscrupulous contractors like to either
ignore permits or have the homeowner file for them. It is very important to make
sure your contractor pulls all required
permits themselves, because it not only guarantees that things will be done to
“code”, but it is also part of their job. Many contractors prefer not to
pull permits because of the time involved and the “hassle” with the inspectors,
and some contractors may ask you to get the permits. This could be a warning
sign that they are not able to pull the permit because they are unlicensed, or that
the work is outside of their license.
Also, in order to keep your home
properly covered, many homeowners’ insurance policies require pulling a permit
if the remodeling job is deemed “major”; therefore, it is important to make
sure your contractor does not skip this vital step so you can ensure the best
remodeling outcome.

Given
that we don’t live in a perfect world, unexpected delays and unforeseen
problems can, and almost always will, arise with any home improvement project. There’s
absolutely no way a contractor can know exactly what they are getting into
until they start the demolition portion of the project and see what’s behind
walls and under floorboards. However, a low-risk contractor will spend time
educating the customer for the possibility of problems before the contract is
even signed. They’ve seen hundreds of problems and have their experiences to
draw upon. They’ll talk about all of the various risks involved in the project
and help the homeowner manage their risks by setting aside contingency funds.

When
your remodeling project encounters a hiccup, and it most always will on some
level, stop to ask yourself “Is this something that could have been prevented
with the experience, knowledge, and due diligence?”  If problems start to creep up like the layout
of the kitchen cabinets don’t flow well in the new kitchen design so
some need to be reordered at your expense, plumbing for a brand new kitchen
island won’t function as planned and the builder needs another $4,000 to
cover additional plumbing costs, or that the contractor under budgeted for the
cost of granite countertops – it’s time for you to find a new remodeler.  These problems were all avoidable with proper
budgeting, designing, and planning with subcontractors.

On
the other hand, if you run into a situation where, upon removing an exterior
wall for a breakfast nook addition, you find an infestation of termites
that will cost you a few thousand dollars to exterminate and a few weeks delay
in construction, you can hardly blame your remodeler.  Similarly, if during the demolition of an
interior wall you find improperly installed plumbing from a botched DIY fix courtesy
of the previous owners, which adds to your bottom line, that wasn’t something
either party could have anticipated either. 
Even the best of home remodelers don’t have x-ray vision or a crystal
ball to see the future, so when these types of problems arise, be as patient as
you can with them!  Such issues
inconvenience their lives, too!