If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
|
Posted by mr jones on May 25, 2008, 5:19 pm
what is the "customary", or "typical" procedure a homeowner
would take when doing a project as a basement finishing, or
remodel of say a wooden deck, or perhaps adding a room ?
specifically, say Joe Public, calls up several contractors
for quotes. they all survey the job, and write up their bids.
question - what level of detail should those bids encompass?
for example, adding a new room - should their bids include
the specifics of the foundation ? (ie. preparation, use of
wire reinforced mesh, gauge of mesh, or maybe rebar - distance
between rebar, PSI rating of concrete, gravel depth, type of
vapor barrier, etc, etc). how about details regarding the
type of hardware used on the studs or ceiling joists ? should
it spec out specific brands (ie. Simpson, or whatever) ? and
details such as types/sizes of nails to use.
i've read plenty of horror stories of clueless contractors
(and equally clueless homeowners), both parties having no idea
of proper industry practices.
is it customary to allow a contractor to go ahead and just
take it on faith (or perhaps their reputation), that they will
conform to accepted industry standards (code inspections not
withstanding) ?
OR - is the level of detail that i'm harping on something an
architect for a project, would be the only person who would be
involved in that level of specification ?
how do you decide if an architect should get involved (on say
a basement refinish project, or room addition), vs. having the
contractor work of a set of rudimentary drawings ?
what do typical contracts spec out ? - for instance, if later
down the road, nails start corroding - is it my fault for not
spec'ing out specific quality nails ? that's why i want to know
what level of detail is customary on a contract. do i have to
spell every little thing out, or are there accepted norms in the
building industry that competent contractors adhere to ?
|
|
Posted by Tony Hwang on May 25, 2008, 5:33 pm
mr jones wrote:
> what is the "customary", or "typical" procedure a homeowner
> would take when doing a project as a basement finishing, or
> remodel of say a wooden deck, or perhaps adding a room ?
>
> specifically, say Joe Public, calls up several contractors
> for quotes. they all survey the job, and write up their bids.
>
> question - what level of detail should those bids encompass?
>
> for example, adding a new room - should their bids include
> the specifics of the foundation ? (ie. preparation, use of
> wire reinforced mesh, gauge of mesh, or maybe rebar - distance
> between rebar, PSI rating of concrete, gravel depth, type of
> vapor barrier, etc, etc). how about details regarding the
> type of hardware used on the studs or ceiling joists ? should
> it spec out specific brands (ie. Simpson, or whatever) ? and
> details such as types/sizes of nails to use.
>
> i've read plenty of horror stories of clueless contractors
> (and equally clueless homeowners), both parties having no idea
> of proper industry practices.
>
> is it customary to allow a contractor to go ahead and just
> take it on faith (or perhaps their reputation), that they will
> conform to accepted industry standards (code inspections not
> withstanding) ?
>
> OR - is the level of detail that i'm harping on something an
> architect for a project, would be the only person who would be
> involved in that level of specification ?
>
> how do you decide if an architect should get involved (on say
> a basement refinish project, or room addition), vs. having the
> contractor work of a set of rudimentary drawings ?
>
> what do typical contracts spec out ? - for instance, if later
> down the road, nails start corroding - is it my fault for not
> spec'ing out specific quality nails ? that's why i want to know
> what level of detail is customary on a contract. do i have to
> spell every little thing out, or are there accepted norms in the
> building industry that competent contractors adhere to ?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Hi,
Then you have to write down what you want to be done in details and
show it to the contractor when he shows up for estimate. If he tries
to change things make sure it's for the better not the other way around.
Most of them try to be cheap and easy.
I haven't had done any renovation on my house but had 5 houses custom
built in my life time so far. After everything is discussed make double
sure you and contractor both are on same page. If mistake occurs during
project the sooner you catch, the better it'll be. My house always had
finished basement on same spec, as upstairs.
|
|
Posted by John Grabowski on May 25, 2008, 6:13 pm
> mr jones wrote:
>> what is the "customary", or "typical" procedure a homeowner
>> would take when doing a project as a basement finishing, or
>> remodel of say a wooden deck, or perhaps adding a room ?
>>
>> specifically, say Joe Public, calls up several contractors
>> for quotes. they all survey the job, and write up their bids.
>>
>> question - what level of detail should those bids encompass?
>>
>> for example, adding a new room - should their bids include
>> the specifics of the foundation ? (ie. preparation, use of
>> wire reinforced mesh, gauge of mesh, or maybe rebar - distance
>> between rebar, PSI rating of concrete, gravel depth, type of
>> vapor barrier, etc, etc). how about details regarding the
>> type of hardware used on the studs or ceiling joists ? should
>> it spec out specific brands (ie. Simpson, or whatever) ? and
>> details such as types/sizes of nails to use.
>>
>> i've read plenty of horror stories of clueless contractors
>> (and equally clueless homeowners), both parties having no idea
>> of proper industry practices.
>>
>> is it customary to allow a contractor to go ahead and just
>> take it on faith (or perhaps their reputation), that they will
>> conform to accepted industry standards (code inspections not
>> withstanding) ?
>>
>> OR - is the level of detail that i'm harping on something an
>> architect for a project, would be the only person who would be
>> involved in that level of specification ?
>>
>> how do you decide if an architect should get involved (on say
>> a basement refinish project, or room addition), vs. having the
>> contractor work of a set of rudimentary drawings ?
>>
>> what do typical contracts spec out ? - for instance, if later
>> down the road, nails start corroding - is it my fault for not
>> spec'ing out specific quality nails ? that's why i want to know
>> what level of detail is customary on a contract. do i have to
>> spell every little thing out, or are there accepted norms in the
>> building industry that competent contractors adhere to ?
>>
>>
>>
> Hi,
> Then you have to write down what you want to be done in details and
> show it to the contractor when he shows up for estimate. If he tries
> to change things make sure it's for the better not the other way around.
> Most of them try to be cheap and easy.
> I haven't had done any renovation on my house but had 5 houses custom
> built in my life time so far. After everything is discussed make double
> sure you and contractor both are on same page. If mistake occurs during
> project the sooner you catch, the better it'll be. My house always had
> finished basement on same spec, as upstairs.
I agree with Tony. The more details that you supply, the better your
chances of getting what you want. It is important when soliciting bids that
each contractor is bidding on the same plans and specifications so that you
can compare apples to apples and know that you are getting a good price. If
you leave everything up to each individual contractor there is no telling
what you will wind up with. Spend a few weeks doing research and writing
down what you want. For a basement remodel you could get away with some
hand drawn floor plans. For an addition to a house you will probably need a
set of plans to submit to your town for approval. Also be sure to get
permits and inspections for the job and make sure that your contractors know
that. If someone balks about permits or says that you don't need them,
that's a red flag and you can cross them off your list. Don't be shy about
asking if the contractor is licensed and insured. Those are legitimate
questions. Also ask what kind of warranty the contractor gives. It should
be at least one year.
If you are absolutely clueless about what you want and materials to use,
tell that to each contractor and welcome their input. Then formulate your
final drawings and specifications.
|
|
Posted by aemeijers on May 25, 2008, 6:37 pm
Tony Hwang wrote:
> mr jones wrote:
>> what is the "customary", or "typical" procedure a homeowner
>> would take when doing a project as a basement finishing, or
>> remodel of say a wooden deck, or perhaps adding a room ?
>>
>> specifically, say Joe Public, calls up several contractors
>> for quotes. they all survey the job, and write up their bids.
>>
>> question - what level of detail should those bids encompass?
>>
>> for example, adding a new room - should their bids include
>> the specifics of the foundation ? (ie. preparation, use of
>> wire reinforced mesh, gauge of mesh, or maybe rebar - distance
>> between rebar, PSI rating of concrete, gravel depth, type of
>> vapor barrier, etc, etc). how about details regarding the
>> type of hardware used on the studs or ceiling joists ? should
>> it spec out specific brands (ie. Simpson, or whatever) ? and
>> details such as types/sizes of nails to use.
>>
>> i've read plenty of horror stories of clueless contractors
>> (and equally clueless homeowners), both parties having no idea
>> of proper industry practices.
>>
>> is it customary to allow a contractor to go ahead and just
>> take it on faith (or perhaps their reputation), that they will
>> conform to accepted industry standards (code inspections not
>> withstanding) ?
>>
>> OR - is the level of detail that i'm harping on something an
>> architect for a project, would be the only person who would be
>> involved in that level of specification ?
>>
>> how do you decide if an architect should get involved (on say
>> a basement refinish project, or room addition), vs. having the
>> contractor work of a set of rudimentary drawings ?
>>
>> what do typical contracts spec out ? - for instance, if later
>> down the road, nails start corroding - is it my fault for not
>> spec'ing out specific quality nails ? that's why i want to know
>> what level of detail is customary on a contract. do i have to
>> spell every little thing out, or are there accepted norms in the
>> building industry that competent contractors adhere to ?
>>
If you are clueless on home remodeling (no shame in that, if you didn't
grow up in the business like many of the people on this group), I
strongly recommend getting a professional designer involved, to create
buildable plans and a materials take-off sheet. Unless local codes
require it (like much of New England), it doesn't have to be an actual
architect with the expen$ive stamp for the plans. Ask friends,
neighbors, and coworkers who they used to design their remodels. Odds
are the same name will start popping up. Independent designers may have
a yellow pages listing, but the good ones usually don't advertise much,
since word of mouth gets them all the work they can handle. Many home
remodel companies say they offer design services, which is fine, but if
you want all the bidders to be bidding on the same work (and not apples
and oranges), it is best (IMHO), to have your own design in hand. A
licensed contractor (versus a place that sends out a salesman with shiny
brochures, but subs out the actual work) will know the local codes and
customary practices, and have a good working relationship with the
inspectors, or he won't be in business long. If a company has been
around 10-20 years, you are probably okay. Your call if you want to pay
the designer extra for site visits and any needed consultation once the
job is underway. The designer can give you names of local contractors
they have worked with before, and had good results with. Note that if
you are getting a loan to do these upgrades, bank will be happier if you
have an actual designer, as will your insurance company. Yes, this will
add anywhere from an extra few hundred, to a couple of thousand, to the
price of the project, depending on the complexity. But you will likely
end up with better results. Look at it as cheap insurance- if a hack
puts up something unsafe, or not to code, you could be looking at <tens>
of thousands if inspector says 'rip it out', or worse yet, the place
falls down in a storm and somebody gets hurt.
--
aem sends....
|
|
Posted by Rudy on May 25, 2008, 7:02 pm
>>> what is the "customary", or "typical" procedure a homeowner
>>> would take when doing a project as a basement finishing..
Bsmt finishing usually involves: Electrical, plumbing and sometimes
structural details if "posts/beams" need to be moved.
The 3 of those things can "open a can of worms" if you-
>>just take it on faith (or perhaps their reputation), that they will
>>> conform to accepted industry standards (code inspections not
>>> withstanding) ?
especially if you don't know what the Codes require so, in getting a
basement done, I would recommend having a 'plan' drawn up with "specs" on
electrical/plbg/structure fully detailed" and get written bids based on
that. Permits are normally involved although some contractors will say
"(You) he doesn't need a permit" Don't fall for that ! You may need the
plan to get your permits anyway.
|
Page 1 of 2 1 2 > last >>
| Similar Threads | Posted | | Home Remodeling Blog (My Five mistakes to avoid) | December 26, 2007, 12:57 pm |
| general question about working with a remodeling company | July 17, 2008, 4:11 am |
| Home Remodeling Blog new blog from Toolmannet | January 18, 2008, 9:26 pm |
| Kitchen Remodeling | March 25, 2007, 11:35 pm |
| Remodeling Inspection Help/Advice Needed, please | March 2, 2008, 1:55 pm |
| Re: Remodeling Inspection Help/Advice Needed, please | March 2, 2008, 5:30 pm |
| Re: Remodeling Inspection Help/Advice Needed, please | March 2, 2008, 7:55 pm |
| Basement Remodeling Begins With Dependable Waterproofing | September 21, 2007, 2:24 am |
| Foundation question for a modular home | August 30, 2006, 1:28 pm |
| Silly question but... Is a toilet required in a home?? | August 19, 2008, 2:03 am |
|
|
Yahoo! 
Google 
Windows Live 
del.icio.us 
digg 
Netscape 
XML Sitemap