Your experience with contractors and remodeling?

[Gas-man]

Are all of them such incredible f-ups?

They promise you the world, then don't show up.

They cut every corner they can.

They can't communicate to save their lives.

Is my experience the exception or the norm?

[The Funk]

My tiny kitchen remodel was supposed to take 2 days. Just new cabinets, new appliances, and new countertop. Not even rearranging anything.

It took 2 separate contractors and 9 weeks to finisg

[neil99]

Putting on a 12x26 addition, two floors and a full basement right now. The contractor is fantastic. He did another addition for us a few years ago, did exactly what he said he would, when he said he would and worked out issues that came up to our satisfaction. When we started researching this project we went with him right off the bat. Anyone in the area needs a contractor, I would happily recommend him without hesitation.

(Added bonus, found out after the job started one of the guys on the job is an esteemed TGP member, Hey Paul!)

[Mudder]

Check out a TV show called "Holmes on Homes". This guys goes in after contractors and essentially does everything they should have (and a bit more, it's TV). There are some flat out dangerous situations to be remedied.

[RCM78]

The reality is you either get a good business man and poor craftsman, or good craftsman and poor business man. Most home improvement businesses are small operations so the owner is usually out there swingin a hammer. The ideal situation is to find a company that is owned by a good business person that employs excellent craftsmen...

If the work is being done properly I wouldnt push the time issue too much.

[GovernorSilver]

So far I've found my subscription to Angie's List to be worth every penny.

The first contractor I hired did a lot of decent work, but also some annoying screwups, like not installing a seal on the hot water faucet in the bathtub (constant drip), not putting back all the dirt that he dug up for the French drain to solve my flooding problem, sloppy electrical work, etc.

Through Angie's List, I found a plumber to fix my leak and repair the outdoor faucet that the contractor broke, an electrician to fix up the wiring, etc. All were relatively trouble-free to deal with.

[agradywills]

In a word they're along the same lines as car salesman and attorneys. Just recently got ripped for about $2400 worth. There is a special place in HELL for shady contractors/home improvement workers.

[karmadave]

Contractors will usually under-bid and over-promise to win jobs. That's why they are usually late and over-budget...

[whitehall]

When I was younger I lived for a few months with a buddy of mine who was a roofer. Everyone that hung out at his house was some type of construction worker. The amount of drugs and alcohol comsumed by those guys on a regular basis was pretty staggering. A lot of really funny shit too I must say. You would be surprized how many of the guys on the road in those white work vans are blitzed by 7 am.

[jtm622]

1) NEVER pay for anything in advance... NEVER...
2) Pay for all of the materials used in the project yourself... Cut that check DIRECTLY to the supplier...
3) If you want the job to be done correctly and as planned, ALWAYS be around yourself to observe; take off from work if you have to...

[Luke]

Most self employed contractors are self employed simply because no one else would put up with them.

No boss would allow you to show up two hours late, using the excuse I had to pick up materials. When you said you would be here at 8am, I ASSUMED you would be here at 8am WITH THE MATERIALS in hand, as in, you got them at 7am today or last night.

Also, I know you're kid wasn't sick yesterday, but that you either started another job to get it, or finished a different job to get paid.

I have a few good contractors now, but it was a process of elimination that took 20+ years to develop the list.

[Gas-man]

Originally Posted by jtm622

3) If you want the job to be done correctly and as planned, ALWAYS be around yourself to observe; take off from work if you have to...

This is what I'm discovering too.

You have to inspect everything they do and insist they do it right if they aren't (which is frequently).

My Mother-in-Law is having work done too and they are taking advantage of her timid nature by taking the easy way and hoping she doesn't say anything.

[DavidG]

My neighbor is a contractor. Thought I would throw a little work his way..kinda having 2nd thoughts about it. At the same time, I hate to not use him after talking to him about some work I need done. At the very least I might let his crew do some painting. Guess I didn't add much to this thread..

[Blue Fin]

Definately watch a half dozen episodes of "Holmes on Homes" before even considering a remodeling job.

[Doug's Tubes]

Originally Posted by Gas-man

Are all of them such incredible f-ups?

They promise you the world, then don't show up.

They cut every corner they can.

They can't communicate to save their lives.

Is my experience the exception or the norm?

It seems to be a dodgy business with lots of dubious companies. It's best to research your local dept of consumer affairs and be sure to use a licensed contractor. That doesn't even assure guarantees. We purchased a house in Nov 2007 that needed a complete overhall. We decided to do a full dormer and hired a licensed contractor where the principal was also a licensed architect. This accelerated the permit process greatly. We signed a contract which provided for percentage of completion payments, and overall I was completely satisfied but that still doesn't mean there weren't glitches. I've found that even with a general contractor it was still necessary to make frequent(if not daily) visits to assure yourself that corners aren't being cut and that things go according to plan. Of course there are always changes made during construction, and this seems to be the biggest area of concern.

The ground floor was completely gutted, but I took over that project myself as the general contractor purchasing all the materials along the way, with a great carpenter/tile guy, licensed electrician and siding contractor. My son and I handled the insulation, flooring and painting. Outside of taking forever, it's worked out beautifully and my own kitchen will be next!

Good luck!