Well, most of them. I can count on one hand the number of contractors that I've ever liked to do business with. But they're the life blood of any renovation project, so you're gonna have to learn how to deal with them - sooner or later.
You may have a background in construction or have super-amazing God-given Do-It-Yourself talents. You might be able to do framing, masonry, drywall and roofing with equal skill and ease.
You're still going to have to deal with contractors from time to time, for four inescapable reasons:
- You don't possess all the skills needed to do every task in a renovation job
- Some tasks require licenses, permits and inspections
- Some tasks require specialized knowledge and equipment
- You don't have enough time in the day to do every task all by yourself
Even a light renovation can include flooring, paint, cabinetry, and upgrades to mechanical systems. Heavy "full-gut" renovations require the skills of every type of contractor involved in new home construction - and perhaps even more.
Contractors will make or break your project. Dealing with a good contractor can make your project a joy. A walk in the park. Like going through a revolving door on someone else's push.
A bad contractor will have you fantasizing about scenes from Criminal Minds.
Part of the problem is that novice investors just don't know how to find, hire, and work with contractors. They hire the wrong people, don't provide specific requirements, don't manage the work properly, and then wring their hands when the project schedule and budget fall to pieces.
The next several posts are going to show you how to find, qualify, hire and manage contractors. We'll also talk about finances and contracts.
Remember, you can post comments and ask questions below. If there's something you really want to know, post a comment and I'll either answer it, or cover it in a future post.
Contractors will make or break your project. Dealing with a good contractor can make your project a joy. A walk in the park. Like going through a revolving door on someone else's push.
A bad contractor will have you fantasizing about scenes from Criminal Minds.
Part of the problem is that novice investors just don't know how to find, hire, and work with contractors. They hire the wrong people, don't provide specific requirements, don't manage the work properly, and then wring their hands when the project schedule and budget fall to pieces.
The next several posts are going to show you how to find, qualify, hire and manage contractors. We'll also talk about finances and contracts.
Remember, you can post comments and ask questions below. If there's something you really want to know, post a comment and I'll either answer it, or cover it in a future post.
