Ready to revamp your kitchen or finally add that pool you’ve been dreaming about? Unless you’re going the DIY route, you’ll need a contractor.
Read more to learn what not to say to a contractor and how to set up your next home improvement project for success.
Choose a contractor
You’ll want a contractor that you can have a solid working relationship with. This needs to be someone you can rely on and a good communicator to keep your project on track. You’ll be hashing out specific details and having to make tough decisions together. So, hiring someone you feel comfortable with is key.
But, if you really want things to go smoothly, don’t blurt out everything that comes to mind.
1. ‘I’m not in a hurry’
It’s thoughtful to not want to put pressure on anyone. But this phrase isn’t going to work to your benefit. It implies that your contractor and their crew can take their time with your project.
Like any project, there’re unforeseen circumstances that can delay your timeframe. But, if you insist from the start that you don’t have a timetable, the more likely your project will take even longer. Remember, time is money.
2. ‘I know a great roofer/electrician/cabinet installer’
If you’re hiring a general contractor, there’s no need to give them leads on subcontractors. The people the contractor asks to work on the project are there for a reason. It’s because they know their capabilities, attitudes, and willingness to work.
The friend of a friend you know that guarantees “a good deal” may not be willing to work within your parameters. To save your contractor the frustration, let them do their job.
3. ‘I’ll buy my own materials’
This sounds like a good way to save money, right? Not all the time. It’s okay to check what materials a contractor is using. But trust them to use a good, well-established supplier to have materials brought to the job site.
Contractors typically get better pricing for materials, which saves you cash in the long run.
4. ‘I can’t pay today. Can I pay next week?’
Imagine if your boss decided that you just weren’t going to get paid because they don’t have the money? That doesn’t sound good, right? This “oops” isn’t going to cut it.
If the contracted amount is clear and the work is performed correctly, there’s no reason to not have the money. Paying on time has more perks than good karma. It also prevents a lien from being put on your property.
5. ‘I’ll pay upfront’
Laying out a wad of cash doesn’t always work in your favor. Yes, it may get the project rolling but it puts you at a huge disadvantage. You’re betting on a project that’s not finished yet. Your contract is a promise to pay, which is contingent on the job being done to your satisfaction.
This allows you to hold the contractor accountable. If you pay upfront, you’re taking away your only safety net.
Starting a new project is exciting. But it can get overwhelming. Find the right contractor for you and try to say all the right things to get the project completed in a timely manner.