The Truth About Contractors and Scheduling

Ever wonder why contractors have the reputation of not calling back right away, not showing up, or being late. No, it’s not that they’re lazy or too busy playing golf at every waking moment. Contractors typically are juggling more things in a day than a circus act performer. There are appointments for prospective jobs, estimating jobs, employees and jobs to manage, materials to order, pick up and get delivered to the job site, and multiple of other tasks associated with running a business.

Contractors typically are juggling more things in a day

than a circus act performer.

No remodeling project is the same, the estimated time a project will take is not an exact science and sometimes things just take longer than expected. This can throw an entire day of scheduling off. But the biggest offender of a schedule killer is an unexpected discovery of something that needs to be fixed or dealt with during a remodeling phase before that project can continue (like dry rot). It’s a rippling effect on a day’s plan that can literally drive a contractor one step closer to the “nutty” farm. But good contractors will make every attempt to keep their schedule with you, at the very least keep you informed if there is a delay. But, they are after all only human and sometimes things are simply out of their control. So next time you think your contractor is ignoring you, chances are he’s not, he’s simply taking care of someone else’s problems just like you’d want him to take care yours if and when they arise with your project.    

Small Changes Helped Sell This Home Fast

We recently finished this small bathroom remodel for some wonderful friends who were selling their home. The original tub and surround were never level which caused water leakage at the back corner ledge each time the shower was used. We replaced the tub and shower stall and hardware, re-sheetrocked the entire bathroom in moisture proof board, took out the old medicine cabinet, and replaced the old “Diva” vanity light with a new updated one. The old vanity was repurposed and repainted by the homeowners and we installed a new all in one cultured stone vanity top to complete it. The client painted the walls and staged the new towel holders with white fluffy towels. The result? The house sold in 5 days!   

Planning For A Home Remodel

The best home remodeling ideas are the ones that promise to improve your quality of life. Bathroom and kitchen remodels may have the highest average financial return on your investment, but any home remodeling project will likely add to your property value. BIG or SMALL, it’s YOUR hard earned money and that’s why we prefer to spend ample time with you in determining what you want, the size of the project budget, and how to achieve it. Naturally you don't need to have all the answers, that’s what we’re for, but with a clear understanding about what a project may entail and options available, the better equipped you will be for ultimately making the best decision.

Our approach is in the details, remodeling an existing home is a whole different animal than new construction. It requires experience, knowledge, and problem solving skills. Many homeowners are simply ill-prepared when they go into a project. This often leads to higher job costs, low-quality work, or even non permitted work done by unlicensed contractors which can lead to a whole new can of worms for the homeowner. Regardless of the home area you choose to remodel, by planning ahead the more efficient and hassle free your remodeling project is likely to be.

Is The Notice To Lien Document I Received Mean My House Has Lien On It?

Your contractor is required by law to provide the Information Notice About Construction Liens when presenting the initial bid for projects estimated for over $2000. Typically upon ordering materials some vendors will send out a Notice of a Right to Lien document. This notice does not mean your home has a lien on it. It’s only a notice that if they are not paid they can apply a lien on your home. Unless your contractor is a crook and does not pay the owed amount, it’s merely a precaution by vendors who have a substantial amount of money invested.

In Oregon, construction liens generally need to be recorded within 75 days from the date the project was substantially completed, or 75 days from the date that the lien claimant stopped providing labor, material, equipment, or services, whichever happened first. If these potential lien holders have not been paid 75 days after a job has been completed than your contractor is not operating his business ethically. To enforce a lien, the lien holder must file a lawsuit in a proper court within 120 days of the date the lien was filed.

Contractors who have accounts set up with vendors will have specific terms and dates each month that require balances to be paid. If you’re concerned about your contractor’s track record call the vendor who has sent you a notice and ask them if your contractor has been delinquent.  Chances are if your contractor submitted the Notice To Lien Document with his bid he’s a legitimate and responsible contractor, only in rare cases do these liens actually happen.