Of course your home is special – everyone’s is! The question when you are planning a renovation project is what makes your home special from a contractor’s perspective?

At first glance, you may not see anything particularly special that your contractor might want to know. Trust me, every project is different, and the more information you can provide on the front end, the better for everyone.

For instance, are you planning to replace the windows in your high rise lakefront condo? There are at least two special circumstances on that project. First, if your unit is in a higher level (anything above the 3^rd floor), there are installation issues to be taken into consideration. Obviously, these windows can’t be reached on the outside by a ladder (and windows are installed from the outside, for the most part), so the installation contract will have to include allowances for a lift, scaffold, or other method to reach this height. Secondly, lakefront or oceanfront properties require products with precise engineering ratings to qualify for building permits. Your contractor will need to know this in order to quote you the appropriate materials. There is one other issue that may come into play in this situation as well – what are your condo association’s rules on access to the building and elevators? Does the work have to be done during specified time periods, or do the products have to be approved by the association prior to installation? All of these questions should be answered before your project begins to avoid problems during and after completion.

Ok, so you don’t have a lakefront condo – you have a basic 2 story in the suburbs. What could possibly be special about that? First, every municipality has specific permit requirements, and they vary from city to city, or county to county. Then, there are situations exclusive to your property. Do you have extensive landscaping that needs to be protected? Are there trees or other obstructions close by that could either limit access to the property or make replacing a roof, siding, or windows difficult for installers? They need to know about these issues up front to prepare for them prior to installation.

Finally, are there considerations within your home that need to be addressed? Do you have pets or children? Many contractors, particularly when moving materials into a home, will prop the door open for ease of access. That means the kids or animals could slip out if they are not kept out of the work zone. Of course, there are also the safety issues to consider. Some pets will become aggressive when a stranger enters their territory (small dogs seem to have a particular aversion to large men in their space), so, for the contractor’s and pets protection, they should be isolated during the project. And, of course, children should never be allowed to play around the work area – there are too many sharp or heavy objects around that could cause injury.

You may think that your contractor should notice most of the above situations when they come to give you your quote, but not all of them are obvious, particularly if they are there in the evening when obstructions may not be visible or during hours when children are at school or daycare. And, let’s face it, we’re only human. We can’t think of everything. We need your help to make your project as painless as possible. So, consider your special circumstances before you get a quote, and point them out to your contractor so they can address them. Make sure any special considerations are addressed in the quote and contract to be sure they will be properly dealt with throughout your project.

Here’s to a smooth and successful remodel!

Rae the Renovator

We have all heard that this summer’s drought is likely to cause price increases at the supermarket, although no one seems able to say exactly how much. You hear everything from “minimal” to “substantial” increases, depending on who is talking. But, will the drought have an impact on home improvement prices? My sources tell me this is a very likely scenario.

Think about it: Wildfires destroyed millions of acres of timber, used in everything from framing to decking to windows and doors. What may surprise you is that there are a number of products used in the home improvement industry that rely on corn production. Did you know that corn is one of the major ingredients in fiberglass, used to make, among other things, insulation, bathtubs, and windows and doors? So, between the loss of all that wood and the reduced supply of corn, consumers are in all likelihood facing increased prices on a wide variety of remodeling materials.

So, what’s a consumer to do if he is thinking about a home improvement project? My recommendation is to think faster. If you can find a way to schedule your project before the end of 2012, it would probably be in your best interest if you are looking for a lower price, and who isn’t looking to save money these days? Based on communications Evergreen Door & Window has received from major manufacturers and suppliers, odds are high that there will price increases coming by the first of the year. Granted, not all of these increases are caused purely because of the drought and wildfires this past summer, but they are certainly the deciding factor. Most manufacturers have been swallowing price increases for fuel and materials, knowing that everyone is in a tough financial situation these days, and trying very hard not to pass on every cost increase they have, instead maintaining lower margins to keep their companies running, hoping for an economic turnaround. However, with this final straw of another increase to cost of goods, many manufacturers can no longer afford to hold off on price increases and still maintain their workforce at current levels. They are facing the decision of having to increase their prices to contractors in order to keep their heads above water.

Since most remodeling companies operate on low margins as it is, they cannot afford to absorb these prices increases without either passing them on to their customers or laying off some of their own staff. It’s a vicious cycle that ends, unfortunately, with more having to come out of the homeowner’s pocket sometime in the near future.

So, take my advice – schedule that home improvement project now, before the inevitable jump in prices. Look at it this way; you’ll get to spend the winter enjoying your improved home, and you’ll save money in the long run! What could be bad about that?

Remodel on!

Rae the Renovator

With more than 8,000 window and door manufacturers in the United States, each offering perhaps hundreds of product options, how can you as a homeowner possibly know where to begin to find the right product for your remodeling needs? The golden rule in renovation is to find a contractor that has a lot to lose by not taking good care of their customers, and who has a reputation to uphold, and they will bring you their best products and services for your project. The key is that they have done the shopping for you with years of experience and a trained eye.

The best remodelers will have certain criteria that have to be met when choosing a product to offer their customers: The best and latest design and technology, strong after the sale support, and a commitment to the right vein of distribution so their product is handled properly.

1.)  First, the product itself must be of the latest technology and design which will ultimately perform best over time. This is where the trained eye and years of experience of your remodeler of choice plays an important role in product selection. They will have feedback from their installation crews; know the reputation of the manufacturer and how their products typically perform over time.  The cost of these products is typically higher, but over the long run is the best value for the consumer.

2.)  Second, after the sale support and warranties: Does the manufacturer or fabricator, have an in house service technician? How a supplier performs when there is an issue with a product, after it has been in service, plays a great part in product selection. Have they made an investment in supporting the product in the field? This is remodeling, and things happen, especially when you’re dealing with items that contain glass and moving parts like windows and doors. The best remodelers rely on referral business and cannot afford to be working with a product that is not well supported by the company that makes it. Their future depends on it.

3.)  Where is the product sold? If the supply chain includes anyone with a hammer and a pickup truck, than the supplier can lose control over the satisfaction of the end user, you the customer. Manufacturers and distributors who focus their business on supplying the professional remodelers then the odds are much higher that their product will be handled and installed correctly for the greatest customer satisfaction, and future growth for the supplier. They will also be looking for their brand to be identified with happy customers, which helps build a good reputation and repeat business, which is what they need to survive.

So, unless you spend your time installing windows and doors, and know the ins and outs of the business, tread lightly and seek out the right company with a strong service record in your area that has been around longer than 5 years, the normal survival rate of a contractor in our industry, and you will get the best results for your investment.

Rae the Renovator

with Kevin Sullivan, Operations Manager

Evergreen Door & Window

If you’ve ever talked to anyone about a less than successful renovation project, you probably heard all about what the sales person promised that didn’t come about, how messy the installer was, that nobody made it clear what would happen and when… And, there are indisputably companies out there who do not come close to delivering on their promises.

However, as a party to any contract, it is also your responsibility to be certain you understand all the details, and that your contractor knows your expectations and is able to meet your requirements on a renovation project. In an effort to alleviate some of the potential conflicts that come as a result of misunderstandings in a contract situation, I would like to put forth some responsibilities of each party to the contract.

Customer’s Responsibilities

1. Define your expectations before you meet with any contractor. Know exactly what you are seeking to accomplish. A contractor cannot meet your needs if you don’t know what they are.
2. When you make an appointment with a contractor to discuss you project, make sure you are on time and able to give them your undivided attention throughout the meeting. This might include getting a sitter for the kids, asking someone to watch the dog for an hour or two, and turning off your cell phone and turning on your answering machine so that you are not constantly interrupted by phone calls.
3. Before signing any contract, make sure that all of the details are included – colors, sizes, schedule, and what is not a part of the scope of work.
   1. A special note when selecting anything that involves natural products (wood, stone, etc.) – don’t just look at a small sample and assume that you are going to be satisfied with a larger project. For instance, natural stone or granite has huge variances in veining and color. If you are having a large countertop done (such as an island in your kitchen), be sure to see the full slab of stone that will be used so that you will know what to expect from the finished project. The same when working with wood – graining varies from board to board, and each piece responds differently to sanding and staining, so never assume that your new wood cabinets are going to look exactly like the small block of wood that the contractor shows you.
   2. If you are asking for a stain match to existing wood, it is your responsibility to provide all of the pertinent details – manufacturer and color of original stain, type of material the stain has been applied to, etc., to the best of your ability.  And remember, even if your contractor uses the exact materials that you specify, the match may not be PERFECT (in your opinion) due to variations in manufacturing processes, environmental conditions, and even age of the original project. You cannot expect to get an exact match to an antique cabinet when the same finish is applied to new wood. Your contract should specify that any matching will be done “to reasonable standards” or “as closely as possible” or words to that effect. And, before the project is begun, it would be in your best interest to ask to see a sample of the finish using the same materials that will be used on the final project.
   3. Bear in mind that many contractors will not even offer to stain match or color match on a project, because they do not have access to someone with the necessary skills. In this case, your contract should specify that the customer is responsible for all staining or painting upon completion of the contract.
   4. If you are replacing windows, it is your responsibility to remove any window treatments, and to reinstall them on completion of the project. Remodeling contractors are not trained for this type of installation, generally, and you will be much more satisfied if you do it yourself or have a professional window treatment installation done. In the rare event that this is included in the scope of work, make sure it is specified in the contract.
   5. Never accept verbal changes to a contract. If you are promised something by a sales person, make sure it is spelled out in the contract. If it is not in writing, it is almost legally impossible to prove it was ever a part of the contract. Review all the details of the contract and be certain that everyone is in complete agreement as to expectations before you sign anything.
   6. Understand the payment schedule for your project, and honor it. Depending on the type of work being done, you will be expected to pay 1/3 to ½ of the contract value prior to start of work (to pay for materials), then, depending on the timeframe, may need to make an interim payment at a specific completion point, with final payment due when final work is completed. In the case of a short time frame project (such as windows and doors), a first payment and final payment will generally be the rule of thumb. Have your check ready on the day of completion to give to the installer, unless the contract specifies otherwise. (Obviously, if you are financing your project, the payment schedule will have been established at the time the financing paperwork is signed).

Contractor’s Responsibilities

1. Start with the basics – be sure that all customer contact information (name, address, telephone number – including alternate phone – best time to contact) is completely accurate. It doesn’t do anyone any good if you have the customer’s home phone number if everyone works and no one is there to answer – if mobile phone is the best way to communicate, be sure that is included, and prominently, on the contract.
2. Make sure everyone is on the same page – before you sell something, you have to be certain this is what the customer wants. If you are selling granite and they want marble, but everyone simply says “stone”, what is going to happen when the material arrives and the customer says that it is not what the ordered?
3. Double and triple check the details – count windows, recalculate square footage for flooring, identify color and style selections – with customer sign-off for each detail, to assure that everyone agrees.
4. Make sure all promises are in writing – extra touches that are not part of a normal installation (such as pre-staining, color matching, reinstallation of window treatments), and that the contract spells out what must be done in the event of a change to the scope of work (change order signed by customer and contractor – no verbal changes without written confirmation)
5. Specify who is responsible for providing any work permits required for the project – and that they must be posted from beginning of project through final completion. Be sure any necessary inspections are scheduled with local governing bodies – there’s nothing like holding up your renovation because you forgot to schedule the electrical or plumbing inspection prior to planning drywall installation.
6. Explain payment schedules, terms and conditions (such as cancellation fees, etc.), and all labor and material warranties, whether provided by the manufacturer or the contractor.
7. With the broad range of cultures and languages in our area, it is particularly important to be sure that nothing gets “lost in the translation” – be positive that the customer understands all aspects of the contract exactly as they are intended. If in doubt, review and ask for assistance.

If you as a homeowner are diligent in assuring that you meet all of your responsibilities, and that you are familiar with the contractor’s responsibilities to be certain that they also honor these duties, your remodeling project should go much more smoothly from the outset, and everyone will end up much happier. That isn’t to say everything will be perfect every time – the number one rule in remodeling is that there is no such thing as perfect, if you are a homeowner – but it is much simpler to identify real issues if you know what to expect from the beginning.

Rae the Renovator