ALAMEDA — When working with a contractor to complete a home improvement project, there are ways you can help foster a good relationship and a positive overall experience. Consider these tips:
Maintain leverage. Put simply, the only leverage you have with a contractor is money. Payments in construction are typically tied to the completion of certain phases of the job, which means the contractor only gets paid for the work they have completed. If a contractor asks you for money up front, even to buy materials, this is a red flag. You should never pay a contractor for work they haven’t completed yet, because this gives them the leverage in the relationship. That’s when they don’t show up, your project starts to lag and the relationship starts to go south. So, maintain the leverage in the relationship by only paying for completed work.
Insist on a clean jobsite. When it comes to construction, a clean job is a happy job. Expect your contractor to keep their tools and materials stored neatly, and to remove debris from the worksite daily. Not only does this make for a safe work environment, it shows that the contractor respects you enough to keep things clean for you. Plus, when the worksite is clean, the job will run more efficiently, as things will be more organized and the workers won’t need to walk over materials or debris. Furthermore, it’s a much better look to your neighbors when the jobsite is clean.

Learn essential tips for working effectively with contractors to ensure your home improvement projects run smoothly and efficiently.

2 Tips for Working With a Contractor by George Walton

By George Walton of {BR} Alameda Structural, Inc.

2 Tips for Working With a Contractor

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