Home Renovation Costs – Low bids and quality

Choosing a builder can be a difficult and often overwhelming decision. We may know a friend or at least heard of one who has a horror story about home renovations gone wrong, from a project scheduled for four months which took more than a year to a contractor who never showed up and kept the deposit. These stories make it hard for genuine contractors to find jobs and continue to hurt the industry.

Homeowners should always remember that not everyone who calls himself or herself a “contractor” has the carpentry skills and professional qualities required to run a successful company. In many states, including New York, there are few barriers to entry into the construction industry. While the department of consumer affairs has increased regulatory oversight and penalties in recent years, many people still enter the construction industry without any experience, professional qualifications, or the required license. Often, uninformed homeowners trust people who call themselves construction companies just because they have a business card, a branded truck, and a website. It is the responsibility of clients to conduct due diligence so that they do not fall prey to dishonest or incompetent persons operating a construction company.

Another common mistake that homeowners make when selecting a firm to do renovations in their homes is going for the lowest bid. Clients who look at a project through the rose-colored glasses of low price are simply too naive to notice the thorns. It is important to remember the quote by Benjamin Franklin “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten.” It is true that there will always be someone willing to compete on price; however, a prudent homeowner should acknowledge that the lowest price seldom results in a satisfactory outcome. Decisions on home renovations should first be based on reputation, skill and quality, and should be approach with a mindset that uncompromised quality rarely comes at bargain prices. Most homeowners will question the high price and not the low one without considering such important aspects as safety, functionality, and the intrinsic value of a quality finish as oppose to the buyer’s remorse associated with an eyesore finish.

The low bid system is inherently flawed because it encourages cutting corners, and more often than not, the cheapest contractor will overlook an important detail or simply use substandard or unsafe material in order to make a profit. As the adage goes “you get what you pay for,” it might be difficult to find the right contractor, but there are a few steps that can guide homeowners. First, one should Google the company’s website and check its online presence. Here is where they can gauge if the company is reputable, has competent management and what previous clients have said. For starters, a construction firm should be licensed, bonded, warranty their work, produce a safety certification, and have general liability insurance. Finally, it is advisable to look for references as past clients will generally be forthcoming about their experience with a contractor.

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