Should I remodel or should I sell?
Why should I consider selecting a more recognizable
company like TBF and not the lowest price?
What positive things do I look for in a remodeling
company?
What negative things do I look for
in a remodeling company?
Do I want a contractor that will only work
with the required building permits and according to the current
building codes and regulations?
What type of contract should I expect from my contractor?
How do I finance my project?
Should I have a budget before I call a contractor
and should I tell him what investment I am comfortable
with?
Why do I hear so many horror stories about remodeling?
How concerned should I be about dust and dirt during
the remodeling process?
How do I go about selecting fixtures, appliances,
cabinets and the like?
Is our project manager on site every day?
Why
is remodeling expensive when compared to new construction,
for example?
Should I remodel or should I sell?
This sometimes difficult
decision should be considered cautiously with attention
to several key variables, such as real estate comparables,
remodeling activity in your neighborhood, the desirability
of your neighborhood because of good schools, shopping, tolerable
traffic, etc., and the net cost to you if you buy a larger
and more expensive home elsewhere.
Occasionally, the price tag for a significant renovation
is the motivation to hit the real estate ads and weekend
open houses looking for that perfect house that doesn’t
need a major remodeling job. However, before you run, you
should check with a trusted real estate agent on the value
of your home after the renovation; it’s often better
to remodel and keep your neighbors and the kids’ schools
than to buy a more expensive house elsewhere.
Most of us don’t want to own the most expensive house
on the street, but if your long-term plans allow you to stay
several years, a custom renovation is more likely to make
financial sense and give you the environment that works for
your family.
Why should I consider selecting a more recognizable
company like TBF and not the lowest price?
There are many compelling reasons to hook up with legitimate
remodeling companies with experience and credentials, the
same reasons you do business in other areas of you life with
organizations and individuals with a verifiable track record.
We are continuously amazed that so many people choose so-called
remodelers with no business structure or experience to alter
or add on to their single largest investment, their homes.
Good hands-on skills such as carpentry do not alone make
a viable company.
What positive things do I look for in a remodeling company?
Look for a company eager to give you solid, local references
and affiliations and to show you some of their work (even
in progress). You want a company who often does the kind
of work you are considering (Kitchens, Baths, additions,
etc.) and of the quality you hope for. The companies you
interview should readily explain how projects are run and
in some cases even introduce you to selected personnel. A
professional contractor is one who takes care of its employees
and operates as a business with appropriate documentation,
permits and licenses.
What negative things do I look for in a remodeling company?
You look for the same warning signs as you would for any
suspicious business. You should especially be concerned if
the company gives you a quick low price and is in a hurry
to start. Any pressure tactics are inappropriate and often
a red flag, and if you attempt to perform due diligence on
these types of companies, you’ll often find there is
no company at all. There are far too many competent, experienced,
legitimate remodeling companies in Atlanta for anyone to
have to fall into the hands of unethical outfits.
Do I want a contractor that will only work with the
required building permits and according to the current
building codes and regulations?
The short answer is YES. You are protecting yourselves
and your investment. Short cuts may seem expedient and harmless
on occasion, but exercise extreme caution before you decide
to step outside of the lines, and don’t trust a contractor
who appears interested in cutting corners. Remember that
building codes are constantly changing and only a reliable
contractor will stay abreast of these changes and implement
all changes as quickly as possible.
What type of contract should I expect from my contractor?
Fair and enforceable contracts do not always look exactly
alike, but they generally cover the same ground and always
require more than one page of double-spaced type. There are
too many provisions to cover here, but if you suspect that
the contract you have been offered is less than adequate
or worse, have it reviewed by a professional or get your
hands on a typical construction contract from a bookstore
or the internet and make a comparison. Contracts are important
for many reasons, not the least of which is that the offer
of a solid and fair contract indicates that you have made
a good choice in a remodeling company.
How do I finance my project?
There are, naturally, several methods to choose from in
financing your remodeling work. When interest rates are favorable,
one of the most popular avenues is to acquire a construction
loan based on the appraised value of the remodeled home and
then refinance the existing mortgage and the loan into a
new mortgage at the prevailing rate. Smaller and moderate
projects can be financed from savings, home equity lines,
home improvement loans, selling your Microsoft stock, or
a combination of the above. Many own properties with significant
equity, which can be used as a sound basis for project financing.
Should I have a budget before I call a contractor and
should I tell him what investment I am comfortable with?
Well, the answer to this one is not altogether simple.
First, you always have some idea of what you want to spend,
and almost always you know the upper limit of what you can
spend. Second, you are usually not well equipped to guess
how much your renovation should cost. Our advice is to first
concentrate on finding a contractor who meets your criteria
and with whom you are comfortable. Then it is appropriate
and helpful to at least share some investment parameters,
if not exact figures, so that design work can be accurate
and reasonable. So many times nothing is said about “the
budget” until the 15 pages of plans are complete and
the estimate is twice what the silent budget is. This is
avoidable.
Why do I hear so many horror stories about remodeling?
Because there are unfortunately many to hear; because stories
about projects gone bad get more attention than the quiet
successes, and because, in large part, contracting in Georgia
remains an unregulated, unlicensed activity except for local
codes and regulations. In other words, you can be a contractor
by calling yourself one, getting a business license (which
requires no testing or background check) and going out and
getting a job. This is the most compelling reason to focus
your search on established companies.
Fortunately, legislation
putting state regulated licensing in place has passed and
is waiting funding. Meanwhile, Contractors who have certification
from NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry)
have passed a comprehensive industry exam.
How concerned should I be about dust and dirt during
the remodeling process?
The amount of dust and airborne particles generated is
obviously a function of the scope of the project. Major remodeling
projects are in a state of constant agitation and dust is
pervasive. On more limited projects, especially where there
is less structural and drywall work, dust is still an issue
but on a more predictable basis. We always make the best
effort we can to seal off the work area(s) with products
made specifically for this use, including plastic doors with
zippers and other protective products for floors and stairs.
No matter how carefully barriers are installed, unless the
work area is completely sealed off from the rest of the home,
dust will migrate. Regular project cleaning helps, and minimizing
traffic between areas certainly minimizes dust and dirt shifting,
but patience with the process is also required.
How do I go about selecting fixtures, appliances,
cabinets and the like?
Though it is always a good start to “window shop” and
study magazines for starters, you will most likely need a
guide through the jungle of products and vendors before all
is said and done. Once we know what kind of look and price
range you are comfortable with, we can set up appointments
with our selected vendors so that you have the opportunity
to learn about the products you are considering. We believe
that this educational process is vital when faced with so
many alternatives. Hopefully, we can save you time and assist
you in confidently making your selections.
Is our project manager on site every day?
Yes, the project manager will be on site every day, and
if he is on vacation or ill, we will assign someone to fill
in. Keep in mind that the project manager has responsibilities
that may involve running errands, dropping by the office,
or dealing with another project. We limit the workloads of
our project managers to allow them to fulfill their responsibilities
to each client, and we strive to keep projects geographically
convenient as well. We strongly believe that ongoing, open
communication with our clients is critical to project success.
You can find us when you need us.
Why is remodeling expensive when compared to new construction,
for example?
Grab a cup of coffee and we can talk for a while. Seriously
though, remodeling may look and smell and sound like new
construction, but it costs more and takes longer. In remodeling,
we are much more involved with existing conditions beyond
the lay of the land—existing foundations, walls, roofs,
mechanical conditions etc. We have to work almost always
in circumstances where our clients still have to get up,
have breakfast and head out to work. We often have to match
existing finishes and blend into them, not to mention unlevel
floors and unplumb walls. A better comparison might be to
restoring an old car, and, on the upside, you didn’t
want to have to move anyway, so the results can be very gratifying.
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