If you’ve never participated in a home remodel before, it’s quite a large undertaking. Working with Philadelphia Main Line remodeling contractors will take a lot of time and patience, as well as some work on your part to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. At J. Schwartz, LLC Remodeling & Fine Home Building, we want to ensure you know what to expect before you get into your remodeling project. Read our guide below, where we’ve included some things you might not know about working with remodeling contractors.
There will be subcontractors.
Contractors aren’t always going to do all the work themselves. It’s normal for them to bring in subcontractors to help take on some of the workload. Most contractors will have a group of subcontractors who they know and trust, which means you can be confident they do work that’s up to the contractor’s standard. If you trust the contractor, you can also trust that they’re bringing in good subcontractors.
Communication is the key to success.
Your contractor isn’t a mind reader. While they’ve probably done many jobs and have an idea about your vision for your remodel, it’s best to be as clear as possible when walking through what you want to be done and where. In contrast, it’s always great to listen to what your contractor is trying to tell you about your remodel. For instance, if you want to take out a wall, listen to whether or not your contractor thinks that’s a viable option. Some walls shouldn’t be taken out without replacing them with a beam. That can be a complicated process and add time and money to your project. Have strong two-way communication with your contractor to ensure you’re getting the remodel you want.
It’s going to be stressful.
Remodels take a lot of time and energy from everyone involved. You might have watched several remodeling shows on TV to try to get prepared, but what they don’t always convey is how long the full project takes. Editing can make it look like it’s been a few weeks when in reality, it’s been 10 months. During that time, you’ll likely experience setbacks, extra costs, and unforeseen circumstances that make the process more stressful than before. Knowing the process will be stressful can often help to reduce stress levels, which is beneficial for everyone.
They want you to be nit-picky.
You’re the one who had the original vision for your remodel, so it’s important the final project is as close to what you wanted as possible. Remember that there’s nothing wrong with nit-picking the details. Your contractor wants you to be completely satisfied with the job when it’s done because they’re going to want you to refer them to your friends and neighbors, so make sure everything is done correctly. You don’t have to settle for subpar work or features that don’t serve the purpose you want them to.
It’s best to be out of the house during construction.
A remodel can be an invasive process. Depending on the scope of the project, you could have much of your house gutted for many months, so you have to move out during that time. On the other hand, smaller projects might allow you to continue to live in another part of the house. Regardless of the size of your project, it’s best to be out of the house for the duration of the project. Living in the house can lead to family or friends getting into the construction area and messing with equipment or materials. It’s much preferred if you can treat the remodel area like a construction zone and leave it for the workers.
Get in touch to learn more.
You can learn more about what to expect when working with Philadelphia Main Line remodel contractors by reaching out to us at J. Schwartz, LLC Remodeling & Fine Home Building. Give us a call at 610-644-6700 or send a message using our contact form.
