SRP Contracting, Inc. - Remodeling, Handyman, Contractor

Being the General Contractor - Part 2 of 2

2011-11-28T21:27:00.001-05:00

In Part 1 of this 2 part series, we discussed a few reasons why a client should let the general contractor handle issues related to materials and suppliers. In Part 2, we'll take a look at reasons the client should avoid bringing in their own subcontractor to perform a portion of the work.

PART 2

Subcontractors:

A good general contractor will have a team of qualified individuals that he or she trusts to get the job done properly and without delay. When a client expresses his or her desire to bring someone in for a particular part of the project, it can make the general contractor uneasy, and with good reason. After all, the general contractor's name and reputation are on the line. He or she is expected to get the project completed within budget and in a timely manner. Hey.... what could possibly go wrong? Plenty.

The general contractor / subcontractor relationship is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. A general contractor without a reliable, qualified subcontractor, will most certainly experience problems - costly delays, poor quality, and overall client dissatisfaction to name a few.

Suppose a general contractor doing a kitchen remodel has agreed to bring in the client's subcontractor to handle the countertops. The general contractor has never done business with this particular subcontractor - it's a friend of the client's mother's coworker's nephew's neighbor. The countertop installation is scheduled for a specific day - Wednesday. The plumber is scheduled to come in and make all the plumbing connections the following day, and the cleaning crew is scheduled for Friday morning. And, that Friday afternoon, the project will be 100% complete.

Wednesday morning rolls around, and the general contractor receives word from the countertop installers that they will not be able to do the installation as planned. And, like a house of cards, the entire schedule falls apart. Although the countertop installers have promised that they will be able to install the following afternoon, the plumber (whose schedule is completely jammed) won't be able to come in until Monday of next week, and the cleaners can't reschedule any sooner than Wednesday of next week. So, the project that should have been finished on Friday, will not be finished until next Wednesday. Meanwhile, the general contractor has a significant disruption to his or her schedule, both on this job and possibly the next one. These delays are unnecessary and could be billed to the client.

The general contractor brings in subs that he or she knows are reliable and do quality work. When people hire a general contractor, they do so with the understanding that that person will be able to get the project done on time and within budget. What they don't realize, is that they are actually hiring a team of contractors (general and subs) that have developed a successful system that yields positive results. And, that is what we all want.

Being the General Contractor - Part 1 of 2

2011-11-06T23:49:00.000-05:00

From time to time, I meet clients that wish to use their own resources for parts of a project I'll be doing for them. Sometimes, the client wants to provide their own materials to avoid paying a small mark-up. Other times, a client will want to bring in a particular individual or company to do a specific job within the project. For example, they know a glass guy that did their mother's friend's uncle's sister-in-law's shower enclosure, and they heard he was the best and cheapest in town. Or, maybe their co-worker's bff's boyfriend's parents had granite counter tops done in the kitchen, and they think they can save a few bucks by bringing them in. You get the idea.

Many contractors out there will not allow this. And, there is good reason for a contractor to have objections to these types of requests. I've known contractors that will walk away from a project, rather than deal with a client's subcontractors and / or material suppliers, and I don't blame them. It can make a project more difficult than it should be. And, although I will do my best to accommodate my client's requests, here's a few good reasons why the client should allow the general contractor to be in charge and do his or her job.

PART 1

Materials:

Part of a general contractor's responsibility is to make sure the materials are available when they're needed, in acceptable condition, and meet the specifications as required. The contractor should make every effort to spend only as much money as is required to complete the project on time and within the proposed budget.

As a general contractor, I can tell you that no one wants to complete the job on time and within budget more than the contractor. First, we want to keep the client happy. A homeowner that has their kitchen out of commission for 2 weeks longer than expected is an unhappy client. Same goes for a homeowner whose contractor blew the budget. Second, we have to do our best to stay on time in order to keep our scheduled start date with our next client. No one wants an unhappy client. The general contractor wants the client to come back for their next project, and refer him or her to their friends and family.

When a client takes away from the general contractor the responsibility of handling materials on a project, they are putting the schedule and budget in jeopardy. And, the few bucks the client tried to save by doing so, could easily be wiped out by unnecessary delays to the project. An interruption to the contractor's schedule caused by the client could easily translate into hundreds of dollars in additional charges to the client - blowing the schedule and the budget.

Material delays can happen for any number of reasons. For example, the client might mistakenly purchase the wrong size cabinets. Or, the client didn't order enough of that special order tile that took a week and a half to get. Maybe the client didn't check the lumber for warps and imperfections at the lumber yard. What if those nice faucets the client found on sale online arrived on time, but they were damaged and had to be sent back for replacement. In each of these scenarios, a delay was caused by the client's inability to have the materials on the job as required, causing unnecessary delays to the general contractor's schedule. And, time is money.

A good general contractor is not as hard to find as most people think. It just takes some homework on the part of the client. And, provided the homework has been done, the client has selected his or her general contractor based in part by reviews and recommendations from happy clients. That general contractor will have the know-how and resources needed to run the job smoothly, within budget, and without delay. A client will likely be better off if the general contractor is allowed the control necessary to do the job properly.

Check back soon for Part 2 of this discussion, where we'll talk about subcontractors. Better yet, subscribe to this blog, and don't miss out! :-)

Avoid The Risk

2011-10-25T12:54:00.000-04:00

A significant portion of my business focuses on minor "handyman" repairs. Sometimes, it's a few pictures hung or a shelf put up in a closet. Other times, it's replacing a window treatment or putting up a safety grab bar in a shower. Often times, a client will gather a list of items over a period of time and call me to come in and take care of it all at once.

A common misconception amongst prospective clients is that they don't need to hire a properly licensed and insured individual to handle minor repairs. They figure they'll save a few bucks by not hiring a licensed professional. After all, what could possibly go wrong by having Handyman Joe put up some curtain rods around the house? He doesn't need a license and insurance for that, right? Well........

The fact is, homeowners that hire unlicensed people to work on their property are putting themselves at serious risk. Here's a couple reasons why you should not take the risk of hiring an unlicensed individual to work in your home.

1. A licensed contractor has been vetted by the construction industry licensing board, and he or she has received a certificate of competency in their trade. In addition to being tested on his or her knowledge in the trade, laws, and safety requirements, individuals must pass a strict criminal background check.

Ask yourself: Would I invite someone into my home if I knew they had been convicted of a crime? I would imagine your answer (wisely) is NO. Why on earth would anyone take a risk like that?

Unlicensed individuals that perform home repairs and renovations are simply:

(A) not ABLE to pass competency and/or criminal background checks, or

(B) do not respect the laws that govern the construction industry in which they work.

2. Licensed contractors are REQUIRED to carry liability and worker's compensation insurance. This is for your (the homeowner's) protection. Let's say a homeowner decides reason #1 above is just not that big of a deal, and he or she goes ahead and hires Handyman Joe (unlicensed / uninsured) to put up those curtain rods. Here's the risk that homeowner is taking:

(A) Handyman Joe drops a hammer and breaks a tile - or, maybe the hammer landed on that glass table top and shattered it. Handyman Joe is liable, right? Not so fast!

Did you know that contracts involving unlicensed contractors are unenforceable? This means that by hiring an unlicensed individual to work in the home, Mr. Homeowner is assuming all responsibility for the outcome of the work and any damages that may result.

(B) Handyman Joe falls off the ladder he's working on and breaks his arm - or, maybe he just took a wrong step coming off the ladder and twisted his ankle. As a result, he'll be out of work for a few weeks. Too bad for Handyman Joe, right? Not quite!

Did you know that by hiring an uninsured individual to work in his or her home, Mrs. Homeowner is exposing herself to medical bills and lost wages that may result from Handyman Joe's little work accident? Well, it's absolutely true - even if the accident was clearly Handyman Joe's fault.

So, next time you are looking to get some things done around the house, make sure anyone you hire is licensed and insured. All licensed contractors are REQUIRED to include their license number on all advertisements. Get a license number, a certificate of insurance, and proof of worker's compensation coverage or a valid exemption. Verify the information you are given. You really cannot be too careful when you hire someone to work on your property.

The RIGHT Contractor

2011-10-11T10:09:00.000-04:00

So, you've been dreaming of remodeling your bathroom for some time now. You feel your bathroom is dated and uninspiring. Maybe it's original to the house, and it has that wonderful 1982 wallpaper. As you flip through the channels, you inevitably find yourself watching HGTV, wondering how they make the renovation process look so simple.

Well, remodeling a bathroom doesn't have to be complicated. I honestly believe a good contractor is the most important piece of the renovation puzzle. The right contractor will use his or her knowledge and experience to make the process as quick and easy for you as possible. But, how do you find the right contractor for your project?

Here's a few tips to help guide you to the right contractor...

1. Ask your family, friends, and neighbors for recommendations. It's possible that they have hired a contractor in the past, and if their experience was a good one, they will be more than happy to tell you about it. On the other hand, if they were unfortunate enough to have a miserable experience, you'll know whom to steer clear of.

2. Search online. Never has there been so much information available right at our fingertips. Visit contractor websites. Look for pictures of their work and client reviews. Gather as much information about the selected few you would like to meet with. The more you know, the better off you will be.

3. Make sure the contractor is properly licensed. Ask for his or her license number and VERIFY the information online. Every state has an online database where you can look up a license number. If you live in Florida, head over to the online database , type the license number into the appropriate field, and click the search button. Immediately, you will know if the person is licensed. Stay far away from unlicensed contractors!

4. Plan on interviewing at least 3 contractors. Invite them to your home and have them provide you with a written estimate. While they're at your home, ask lots and lots of questions. This will give you a pretty good indication of whether or not you might enjoy dealing with this person during the weeks it may take to complete the job. A good contractor will appreciate your interest in the process, and will gladly answer all of your questions and concerns. I've always found my best experiences to be with inquisitive, well-informed home owners.

Using these tips will help you find the right contractor for your project.

Welcome!

2011-09-15T23:08:00.000-04:00

First and foremost, thank you for taking a few minutes to explore this tiny corner of the blogging universe. It's my first venture into the blog-o-sphere, and I look forward to (hopefully) entertaining you while passing along some useful information regarding the Home Improvement Industry.

Here you will find a collection of thoughts on various home improvement related subjects. I'm looking forward to discussing a number of topics ranging from DIY tips for all you weekend warriors, to industry trends, to planning and budgeting a renovation, to how and WHY you should avoid unlicensed contractors - basically, anything and everything related to the home improvement industry.

I hope to read some comments and suggestions from you.

Sincerely,
Robert Pereira
SRP Contracting, Inc.