TRC Contracts

5 Tips for Orchestrating a Smooth Home Restoration Project

When you decide to have work done at your home, the right preparations can help things go smoothly. Whether it’s a window restoration project, sash window repairs being done, or you are having more extensive restorations or refurbishments done, the following advice can help your project happen the way you hope --- safely, swiftly, and with a great outcome.

Tip #1: Do Due Diligence

Research your options. Various things need to be researched including the best options for your home’s renovations or restorations and researching options for the right company to do the actual work. Having a bit of knowledge about what needs to happen will increase your chances of making smart choices. Even if you’re not a subject matter expert, a little bit of research can help you get a general idea of what needs to happen. This knowledge can make the project go more smoothly.

Tip#2: Take Time to Choose the Right Company for the Restoration

It’s wise to obtain more than one quote on a home renovation or restoration project. When you reach out to companies, pay attention to their professionalism and the information they provide to you about the pricing and the process.

Don’t just look at the price on the quote alone in an effort to make a determination. What information is provided to help you prepare for the project? Do you know what’s going to take place from the time you pay the deposit until the time the work is complete? Full knowledge of the policies and procedures can help you make a choice about who to deal with as well as make necessary preparations so that you can help ensure things can happen according to plan.

Important Advice: Take the time to look at the companies you’re deciding among a bit closer. Look at reputation, look at their portfolio, and consider who they have worked with in the past. When you see an impressive list of current and past clients, this can put your mind at ease. A long list of happy and repeat customers can help you choose.

Pay attention to the process of quoting and look for key cues that you are dealing with a professional organisation. Whether you know what you want or want professional expertise about the sort of work that should be done a solid company will make a recommendation based on your needs and based your budget.

If a company has clearly laid out and established policies and guidelines, this is a sign you’re dealing with a professional company and is another area can help you be at ease as you will know what to expect, in sequence.

Tip #3: Get it in Writing

Get everything in writing and make sure you understand all facets of the project before you sign a contract.

Tip#4: Know What to Expect

Make sure you have a good understanding of the process and timelines around your project. When you know what to expect, things seem like they’re much more organised and streamlined. Having a schedule and sequence of events helps you, the home owner, be prepared and helps you stay out of the way so that work can commence.

Tip#5: Stay Out of the Way

It’s important that homeowners do try to stay out of the way, incidentally. This can maximise productivity and quality assurance. For the progress, the safety, and the quality of the work at hand, the team of renovation or refurbishment specialists needs to be able to focus. Don’t let your curiosity about the process result in slowing things down.

With all that said, you should be well aware of whom to speak with in the event of a question or a problem. A professional company won’t require babysitting but if anything seems amiss, don’t hesitate to speak to your contractor or the site supervisor. A company working on your home should be accountable to you for delivering what was promised.

In summary, discussing your project requirements with more than one contractor is a good idea. Assessing their professionalism, their reputation, and being prepared with full disclosure of the process, schedule, costs, and anticipated outcome can put your mind at ease about having someone do work on your home.

Note: There is always a chance that things won’t go 100% according to plan. But dealing with the right contractors will help minimise frustrations and maximise the chances of a successful restoration project with a great outcome.