You can slice the Renovation experience any way you like, but the fact is, you simply cannot predict ALL of the costs that are going to be incurred in a renovation, even a simple one. Like buying a pair of pants at the store that are your “regular” size without trying them on first. The truth doesn’t really come out until you are sliding those new Chino’s on at 5am, getting ready for work only to discover you have rudely been indoctrinated into the world of “skinny jeans” without having a choice!
Alas, the good news is, planning for disaster ( and if you have ever tried to pull “skinny Chinos” on in a hurry – “disaster” is not an overstatement) is as simple as planning for success, albeit a little more painful on the “front end”.
I am always encouraged when I have clients that are “shocked” by the amount of the first of five steps in our quoting process at JWS, the all encompassing, “Preliminary” budget. I am happy because it means they won’t be shocked by the final step, the bill.
A project or a renovation in your home, by its very nature is an exciting experience. We are buying something new, something fun, an experience and promise of positive change and growth. As a renovator, it is far better to educate and inform clients of ALL of the possible costs involved in a project, rather than “low ball” potential customers on a sell and hope process. Personally, I am always shocked a bit myself when clients have dealt with other contractors in the past without knowing the “costs” of their projects were until the end. In my mind, good planning is the pre-emptive strike in the battle against disappointment in renovation, and it is the hallmark of every single contractor worthy of hiring.
The process of planning is simple and can be broken down into four main areas:
1) Plan for the True Cost:
Most good contractors will provide fixed costs on a “final estimate” once all the trades involved in your quote have returned all of their detailed quoting to your contractor. If your contractor does not include this step, ask them to and work with them towards working on a “reasonable fixed cost” model for the contract. Planning on all of the costs ahead of time and resolving to stick to the plan, leads to a successful reno every time!
2) Plan on a Contingency Fund:
Don’t mistake my tone here, I am in no way making excuses for general incompetence or sloppy quoting. We can all get on our soap boxes and talk about how we “should have” known about that hidden junction box or those hidden pipes or the leaky cast iron stack that needs replacing, OR we can plan for it. Experts say 10%, I say 10-15% of the total cost, hidden under the mattress, just in case. You’ll sleep better on that bed anyway and have something for all the cool new stuff you’ll want after the reno.
3) Plan on Two- Way communication:
Renovations should be something that happens WITH you, not TO you. You can often tell a good contractor from how fast they get back to you and how easy they are to communicate with. A contractor that is hard to get in touch with because he is “busy” isn’t a “busy” contractor, he is an overwhelmed one. I can name five of our competitors in the KW area that are amazing that if I called right now, would be back to me within the work day for sure, and they are always “busy.” Plan on having someone work with you that is reachable. We have an online collaborative system to share vital information and insights in up-to-the minute budget changes, change orders or work site plan changes, that we offer to our clients so they can be part of the plan, always.
4) Plan on Getting what YOU want:
Designers and Carpenters can be an excitable and pushy lot! Make sure that in your reno, you are getting what YOU want. Hire someone who “guides” you in a process rather than steam rolls you with another one of THEIR dream kitchens. You can’t spend enough time planning on design details and choices. Make sure you and your contractor have an avenue for “writing down” all your choices be it on paper or through the various apps and online resources designed for collaboration. Write it all down in a plan and things will be fine.
So there you have it! The Secret is out, if there is good planning, there shouldn’t be a shocking bill! If you select a contractor that has your best interests in mind, and is running a business for profit model, in spite of any changes, there should be NO shocking bill….plan on it!
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