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Traditionally people see more of a return on value on remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, but check out some indexes for the recent statistics.

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• Com·mu·ni·ca·tion—The exchange of thoughts, messages, or the like, as by speech, signals, or writing.  (From The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language).

• Communication is important.  During construction, poor communication can be very expensive.  One way or another, it is at the root of most construction problems (“Oh—that’s the wall you wanted removed!”).  So, if you’re contemplating a construction project of your own, here are a few ideas to insure that you and your contractor communicate effectively:

• Don’t choose a contractor that you can’t communicate with. Look for contractors invested in good communication—cell phones, e-mail, fax machines, receptionists, etc.  These basic tools indicate a commitment to good communication.

• Read the contract.  Don’t sign any legal documents you don’t understand.  If you’re not good with contracts, have your attorney review it for you.

• Study the blueprints, and have any questions explained to your complete satisfaction.  Many people find blueprints difficult to read, and intimidating.  You need to understand them, because they describe in detail what you are buying.  Have scale models built if necessary to convey the design clearly.

• Arrange a pre-construction conference to review the project schedule, budget, project details, and the like.  Explain what your house rules are regarding telephone, toilets, security, pets, etc.

• On large projects, schedule weekly meetings to monitor progress and get answers to questions on a regular basis.

• Set up a communication center on the job with a clipboard or corkboard.  Use it to transmit important information in writing.

• Ask lots of questions.  Don’t assume anything.

• Construction is full of trade jargon.  Don’t be embarrassed to ask for an explanation of any terms you don’t understand.  A helpful tool is www.Images.Google.com.  Type in a construction term, such as ‘soffit’, and get 179,000 examples, pictures, drawings, and definitions of soffits.

• Communicate important information or changes directly to the person in charge, not the craftsman on the job.  Likewise, don’t ask the craftsman about schedule or pricing.  They usually don’t have enough information to give you accurate answers.

• Be honest about your feelings.  If you’re mad or disappointed, communicate that right away so the contractor can address your concerns.  If you’re happy, please communicate that also.

• Be available to your contractor.  Give him/her all your phone numbers in case a quick decision is necessary.  Time is money—your money.

• If you must leave a phone message, make it as complete as possible to avoid the frustration of phone-tag.

• If the issue is not urgent, save questions for the weekly meetings, or at least once per day to make efficient use of everyone’s time.

• If you have something complicated or emotional to convey, do it in a letter or note.  At your own pace, and without interruption, you should be able to send an accurate and complete message—and the recipient can refer to it as often as necessary.

• A lot of communication is non-verbal.  Watch the “body language” of the person you’re talking to.  It will tell you more than their words.

• If your contractor sends you a satisfaction survey after project completion, please take time to fill it out.  It is a great time to communicate clearly, and your chance to make the contractor better.

• Like most worthwhile things, good communication takes time and effort.  It is one of the few aspects of construction you can control.  If you do it well, you can avoid a lot of problems, and save money.

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• By Larry Parrish, CR, CGR, CAPS, GACP

• I’ve had many clients through the years say they wish they had remodeled their homes sooner. Some built additions after the children were grown and gone, and wish the children had been able to enjoy the new space. Others renovated just before putting their house on the market, and regret not being able to enjoy the improvements themselves. In most cases, it was fear of the remodeling process that kept them from starting earlier.

• Does the thought of remodeling your home cause you to break out in a cold sweat and your eye to start twitching? If so, you may be one of the millions of American homeowners who suffer from Remodelophobia—fear of remodeling. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about—it shows up in the best of families. There is hope, however. With courage, persistence, and professional help, you can soon be on your way to remodeling your home with confidence.

• First, realize that fear is natural and healthy. It can keep you out of trouble. The problem with fear is that it may keep you from doing things you really need to do. Do you remember when you were learning to ride a bicycle. In my case, I don’t know which was worse–the fear of getting hurt or the fear of looking foolish in front of my friends. But, because learning to ride was so important to me, it forced me to work through the fear, and keep trying until I could ride. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

• Since remodeling is a complicated process, it is normal to be wary. It is common for people to worry about being “ripped off”, making bad decisions, spending too much, or being disappointed with the results. Start by making a list of your fears. You may find that your list is relatively short and manageable.

• Fear is usually based in lack of understanding—fear of the unknown.

• Knowledge is power. Educate yourself about the process, and look for a mentor—a friend or acquaintance who has had experience (good or bad) to help advise you on what to expect, and what to watch out for.

• If you’re connected to the internet, there is a great deal of useful information available about home remodeling. Remodeling Magazine has a website called Remodeling Online, located at http://www.remodeling.hw.net, where you can find the Cost vs. Value report unter Facts & Figures. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s site is at http://www.nari.org. The final site is by the National Association of Home Builders, and can be found at http://www.nahb.com. All three sites have articles of advice on how to find a contractor, what remodeling projects cost, and advice on how to get started.

• The following phone numbers will connect you to the same organizations by phone: NARI—800-966-7601, NAHB—800-368-5242, and the Denver office of the Home Builders Association is at 778-1400. For a copy of articles on how to choose a remodeling contractor or how to live through a remodeling project, just call my office at 444-0032, and we’ll be happy to mail you a copy, or you can view several other blogs we have posted online by clicking on the categories to the right.

• If the education process outlined above seems too tedious, there are two other techniques used by mental health professionals to help people cope with anxiety—Systematic Desensitization, and Flooding. To implement the first method, you start by just saying the word remodel softly to yourself until you can do so without shaking. Next you might say the word confidently in public. Eventually, you could try a small remodeling project such as changing the knob on the bathroom vanity. The aim is to get accustomed to the idea in small incremental steps. Ultimately, you may be able to actually call a contractor.

• Personally, I prefer the Flooding technique. For this one, you would call a contractor immediately, and engage in a whole-house remodel right off the “bat”. This way, you are forced to deal with all your fears at once, and get them over with quickly.

• Remember, if you really need to remodel, consider starting now. Most things worth doing involve some risk. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can enjoy and benefit from the results. There’s nothing like the sense of accomplishment at conquering your fear, and accomplishing your goal.

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• I recently stumbled across a list of quotes from America’s favorite folksy philosopher, Yogi Berra. Yogi was a pretty good ball player, to be sure, but is equally famous for his twisted tidbits of wisdom. In reading through these, I found them simply profound and profoundly simple, pertinent to all walks of life, including construction. In the article that follows, I’ll sprinkle in a number of his sayings as they apply to the subject at hand. They’ll be identified by the preceding notation (RY), denoting Relevant Yogi-ism.

DIY projects may not end up saving you time and money in the end.

• I have a friend. He’s a very capable fellow, with a curious mind, advanced degrees, and a can-do attitude. When he set out to build a new home for his family, he decided to be his own contractor. He relished the challenge, and wanted to save money on the home by eliminating the contractor’s fee. He finished the home, it’s beautiful, and he’s justifiably proud. He confided, however, that he had no idea how hard it would be, and has a new appreciation for general contractors. In fact, he said he’ll hire a contractor next time, convinced they’re worth every penny. (RY) “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll wind up somewhere else.”

• My friend freely admits he didn’t really understand what a contractor’s job entailed. He had watched some construction before, it didn’t look too hard, and good contractors seemed expensive. Perhaps you’re planning a building project of your own, have had the same thoughts, and are trying to decide whether to do the work yourself, or hire a professional. To assist you, I’ll attempt to describe the various responsibilities of a general contractor. I hope this helps you decide which way to go. (RY) “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” 

• Contractor responsibilities include the following:

• Code compliance—there are many complicated regulations governing construction, administered by federal, state, city, county, and even neighborhood authorities. They govern such things as lot setbacks, solar access, bulk-plane requirements, egress, structural design, drainage, work hours, aesthetic design, lighting, building height, parking spaces, and many, many more. Mistakes can be extremely expensive. (RY) “I don’t want to make the wrong mistake.”

• Scheduling—running even a relatively simple construction project is like being an air traffic controller at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Christmas Eve. In other words, there’s a lot of activity from a lot of people that must happen at precisely the right time, or it’s going to get very ugly. The task involves managing material selections, coordinating material delivery, and proper sequencing of all the building trades to keep them out of each other’s way. (RY) “I knew I was going to take the wrong train, so I left early.”

• Selecting the Team—subcontractors are the specialty trade companies who perform a large percentage of the work on construction projects. While many general contractors have their own crews to perform general construction work such as demolition, framing, and finish carpentry, there are often dozens of crafts that are so specialized as to require experts in the field. This would include excavators, electricians, plumbers, painters, and carpet layers. These trades and related material suppliers are divided into 16 major categories by the Construction Specification Institute (CSI), and all of these 16 categories have many subspecialties under them. In fact, there are thousands of categories. Each of these subcontractors and suppliers will provide an important product or service on your project. Selecting the right one to be on your project team is critical. In theory, they should all play well together. (RY) “In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.”

• Budget Control—the general contractor has the ultimate responsibility for controlling project costs, and bringing the job in on budget. With hundreds or thousands of cost items involving dozens of suppliers, this is harder than it sounds,   One definition of a construction budget—a wild guess carried out to two decimal places. More than any other issue, this is the one that separates the best contractors from the rest. Even a great contract may not protect you if the contractor accidentally slipped a decimal point or overlooked something important. An accurate budget is hard to establish even for a seasoned veteran with an intimate knowledge of construction. (RY) “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.”

• Quality Control—this, also, is the general contractor’s job. Since there is no standard quality specification for various aspects of the work, the contractor must set and enforce the standards. For example: the strength of the concrete, the smoothness of the drywall, the tightness of a joint, the durability of the paint, etc. Some of these standards are visible to the homeowner. Most of the important ones are not. (RY) “You can observe a lot just by watching.”

• Risk Management—construction is a dangerous business—physically, legally, and financially. It is the contractor’s job to protect the homeowners from all of these risks, and more. This includes securing or requiring many types of insurance from all involved parties—general liability, automobile, performance bonding, workers’ compensation, builder’s risk, materials in transit, and others. If the proper controls are not in place, unsuspecting homeowners could find themselves liable for worker injury on the jobsite, having mechanic’s liens filed on their property, or having their foundation fail. (RY) “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”

• Interpret Design Intent—while most architects do an excellent job of detailing design intent on paper, both on blueprint drawings as well as written specifications, many construction activities require some interpretation by the contractor. Not everything that can be drawn can, or should, be built. (Have you ever seen an Escher painting?) One famous architect told me he was only responsible for the aesthetic concepts—it was the contractor’s job to figure out how to build it! Falling Water, a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s most famous architect, should rather be called Falling Down, because it is. In spite of the fact the contractor, against Mr. Wright’s wishes, secretly installed much more steel in the concrete than Mr. Wright specified. (RY) “You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn’t enough, in the second half you give what’s left.”

• Warranty—while most products and subcontractors will warrant their material and workmanship, it’s not always easy to sort out responsibility. Did the tile crack because it was defective, installed incorrectly, was the underlying structure at fault? There is no winner in The Blame Game. If you have a general contractor on-board, it doesn’t matter to you who is at fault, because ultimately it’s his responsibility. (RY) “The future ain’t what it used to be.”

• After hearing all this, if you determine to build or remodel your own home, great. I know it will come out just fine and we can still be friends. (RY) “This is like déjà vu all over again.”

• Special thanks to Mr. Berra for his inspiration. You can view his official website at   www.yogi-berra.com

• We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to ”Post a Comment” in the box below.

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Bathroom remodel by Parrish (Accessories by HW Home).

• If you’re thinking of remodeling your home, you’re in good company. According to the National Association of Home Builders, American homeowners will spend in excess of $100 Billion on professional remodeling this year. Empty nesters are converting unused bedrooms into master bathrooms, new owners of older homes are improving their new home before moving in, and many people are adding new apartments for an elderly parent.

• Homeowners who are remodeling for the first time are faced with the challenge of finding a reputable contractor who can get the job done with minimal disruption and at a reasonable cost. The following recommendations will help simplify the search and minimize any anxiety and confusion.

• All building permits in Boulder or Boulder County require detailed construction drawings and structural design by a licensed engineer. Consider hiring an architect or contractor who offers design/build, which means that the same company both designs and builds the project.

• Design/build is a growing trend in the industry because it can save money, offers one-stop shopping, and single-point responsibility. Look for contractors that have licensed architects on staff, or partner with licensed architects.

• You’ll also need to decide whether to solicit fixed bids, or work on a cost-plus basis. The old rule was to get three bids and select the low bidder. Unfortunately, an accurate comparison between bids is almost impossible, and a bid situation puts the homeowner and contractor at odds from the beginning. Ask for a cost-plus contract. The contractor charges the cost of materials and subcontracts plus a markup for overhead and profit.

• Begin your search by asking friends and neighbors for recommendations. The best (and worst) ones will be known in the community, and referrals from happy customers are your best source. Also check the contractor’s reputation among the building trades. Ask lumber yards, electricians, realtors, and bankers. Make sure the contractor pays his bills on time.

• Ask the contractor for client references from similar projects—about twenty recent ones, and call half a dozen or so in random order. (The contractor’s happiest clients will probably be listed first.) Look especially for repeat customers.

• A commitment to professionalism and ethics is usually indicated by membership in professional trade organizations. Look for organizations such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) or the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and their certifications– Certified Remodeler (CR) or Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), respectively. Also look for professional awards and a local contractor’s license.

• Longevity counts. A long track record is a sign that your contractor will still be in business to address warranty problems. Look for someone invested in the community and his or her reputation. Good contractors should be involved in the community, service clubs, schools or church.

• Ask for samples of the contractor’s office paperwork as an indication of professionalism. Use of computers and computerized scheduling are good indicators. Bids, bills, and contracts should be clear and detailed. Changes in the work must be carefully documented.
• You’ll also want to know how efficiently a contractor’s office handles communication. Calls should be returned promptly. You’re looking for a contractor who will be available quickly, when needed. Good signs of accessibility are radios, pagers, cell phones, and a listed home phone.

• Your contractor should maintain at least $1,000,000.00 in Contractor’s General Liability Insurance and have all employees covered under Workers’ Compensation Insurance. This is necessary to protect homeowners from liability in case of injuries or accident. Ask for certificates of insurance coverage.

• Also ask if the prospective contractor has the capacity to handle the work committed. You don’t want them to be overbooked. Be patient if the contractor you want is busy–it’s a good sign. A contractor who will tear out a wall just to satisfy a start date, and then disappear until the other jobs are complete is no bargain.

• The quality of the contractor’s crew and subcontractors is important. Do they keep the joist clean? Would you be afraid to leave them alone in your home? Will they be bringing their dogs, friends, and boom boxes to your home?

• Trust your instincts. You will be entrusting a great deal of money to your contractor and working very closely with him or her. If you get “bad vibes” from the initial meetings, it will only get worse during the stress of construction.

• Once you finally choose your contractor, be clear about what you expect, and honest about your budget. Good communication is critical. Establish a schedule for frequent meetings during the job. A contractor needs your decisions in a timely manner to keep the project moving.

• There are many contractors with the experience and integrity you want. With a little care, you may soon be one of the happy clients on their reference list. We’re hoping you’ll be ours!

• We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to post in the “Comments Box” below.

• Pro•cras•ti•nate: to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done (definition by Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
  

  Parrish's 2008 Contractor of the Year winner for remodel

• This definition speaks to me on a personal basis. I’m a procrastinator from way back. In fact, I’m planning to join Procrastinators Anonymous one of these days. Really—I’m sure I’ll get around to it. (Their twelve step program takes 450 years to complete.)

• Have you been thinking of remodeling your home since the Eisenhower administration, but can’t seem to get the deed done? I’m sure you have a long list of great excuses—after all, you’ve had decades of practice. I’ve heard a lot of excuses, and I’ll bet I’ve heard yours. I’ve listed some common ones below. Let’s see if you recognize any of these:

• Excuse: “I’m not sure how long we’re going to stay in this house.”
  Reply: I’m not sure either, but I’ll bet it will be longer than you think. I used this excuse with my last three houses. I wound up living in each one more than seven years before remodeling, and always regretted not doing the work right away. I inevitably remodeled my home just before we sold, in time for the new owners to enjoy it. You might as well commence your remodel now, and enjoy it yourself. The most common comment I hear from clients after they remodel is “I wish we’d done this a long time ago.”

• Excuse: “I can’t decide whether to remodel or move.”
  Reply: What will it take to help you decide? Would it help to arm yourself with a few facts? First, collect some information on what it would cost to remodel your existing home to meet your needs. Then investigate it would cost to buy an existing house of the same specifications. This will give you an idea of the relative cost of remodeling versus moving. Next, make two separate pro and con lists. First, for the “remodel option” ledger, list the advantages of remodeling your present home on one side of the page, and the disadvantages on the other. Do the same for the “moving option”. Remember to factor in hard costs such as realtor fees, closing costs, packing and moving, etc. Also weigh the intangibles such as convenience, neighbors, sentiment, and landscaping, as well as dust, disruption, and time. Sometimes, the appropriate answer will almost jump off the page. I’ve noticed that all the Realtors I know have opted to remodel their own homes.

• Excuse: “I’ve heard too many horror stories about remodeling.”
  Reply: I’ve heard a few myself. But I’ve also heard them about buying homes and moving. Most things worth doing involve risk. The key is to manage the risk, and increase your odds. When the stakes are high, it makes sense to take time to do a thorough process of due diligence. Ask for referrals from your associates, check references, and do whatever it takes to get comfortable with your selection.

• Excuse: “If I wait just a little longer, avocado colored appliances and bright orange Formica will be back in style, and I won’t have to remodel.”
  Reply: OK, maybe. You’ve got me (and if you want them to come back, you should keep them.)

• Excuse: “We’ll add a room when we start a family.”
  Reply: Families have a way of starting themselves, whether you’re ready or not. Growing a family is difficult enough without the added stress of remodeling a house thrown into the mix. It would make a lot more sense to add the room first, then the baby, instead of the other way around.

• Excuse: “I’m concerned we’d never get our money back.”
  Reply: Chances are you won’t get all your money back if you sell your home soon after remodeling. According to Remodeling Magazine’s annual “Cost versus Value” report, typical remodeling projects recoup from 67% to 94% of their cost at resale, nationally, depending on the type of project and the region you live in. If you plan to sell the home soon, remodeling may not make sense for you. On the other hand, if you plan to live in your home for five or more years, and you amortize the difference over the that time, and factor in the increased comfort and enjoyment, the remodel may be a bargain. The report in Remodeling Magazine clearly pointed out that “high end” remodels consistently recouped a higher percentage of the cost at resale. In some cases more than the cost. This was due to the buyer’s perception that the higher quality house justified a higher price. In one case cited, a Realtor said ten thousand dollars spent on granite countertops may yield an extra twenty thousand dollars in sales price due to this phenomenon. You can find the “Cost Versus Value” report online at: www.remodeling.hw.net

• Excuse: “We’ll have more money when the kids leave home.”
  Reply: Haven’t you been paying attention? You can’t count on kids ever leaving home these days! Even if they leave, they may be back. Consider building them their own wing now, so at least they’ll be on the other side of the house. The second most common comment I hear from clients is “I wish we’d done this while the kids were still home.” Not surprisingly, the kids say the same thing.

• Excuse: “I’m waiting for the interest rates to come down.”
  Reply: Don’t wait too long, or you’ll miss out on the lowest rates in generations. It’s not likely to get much better than this. If you’d like to test the numbers, there is a handy amortization calculator online at http://ray.met.fsu.edu/~bret/amortize.html  Carpe dinero. Seize the cash.

• Excuse: “Remodeling is expensive, and the economy is too uncertain.”
  Reply: Construction can be expensive, but it’s not getting any cheaper. In these uncertain economic times, many people are choosing to invest in their homes instead of the market. The government subsidizes this choice with favorable treatment at tax time. Not only has real estate been a good investment historically, but you get to enjoy your investment on a daily basis. People are retreating to their homes as a sanctuary, and want them to be as comfortable as possible. I wish that my money which evaporated on Wall Street over last two years had been invested in my home instead.

• Excuse: “I’d love to remodel, but my dog ate the plans.”
  Reply: That excuse makes perfect sense to me. Sounds like one I’ve used myself !”

• So what are you waiting for? Give us a call: 303-444-0033

• We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to post in the “Comments Box” below.

Consider the homeowner. He or she is the patron of the arts who has commissioned a great work to be written and played. As the patron, he pays the bills, bu talso calls the tune. He must be clear about what kind of music he likes, and have examples of music that illustrate his taste. He must also clearly divulge his budget.
The construction project is like music—music that takes weeks or months to play. The best melody not only sounds good to the patron, but to everyone who isn’t tone deaf.

The architect or designer is the composer, responsible for creating a masterpiece that meets the needs and constraints of the patron. The composer should not write a symphony when the client wants a jingle. If he does his job thoroughly, the details and nuances of the music are set out on paper that any competent musician can read and execute, and the composer’s work is done. In other words, the blueprints are like sheet music, amply annotated.

The general contractor is a conductor (whose orchestra will play the concert outdoors, subject to the weather). He studies the music, hires competent musicians, and assures that each note is played by the right musician at the proper time. Occasionally consulting with the composer, if available, the conductor interprets the music. He must command the attention and respect of each musician, and likewise must discipline or replace musicians that don’t play their notes on time, or in tune with the others. The conductor also makes sure that all musicians are paid on time so they show up on opening night.

While some conductors specialize in a particular type of music, the best can conduct a variety. Do not judge a conductor on the basis of one concert. After all, he didn’t choose the music.

A Design/Build contractor is like a composer/conductor that conducts his own music. Some patrons prefer to hire a composer/conductor to save money and time, and to be confident that the notes played will match the sheet music. Read more about our Design/Build Services.

The contractor’s employees and subcontractors are the musicians. They must be accomplished at reading music and skillful with their instrument. They must also keep their eye on the conductor, and be committed to playing their part in harmony with the other musicians. While every orchestra wants virtuoso musicians, all the musicians must play well together.

A new employee or subcontractor is like a guest artist. The classically trained ones are best, but must still tune up and practice with the whole orchestra in order to perfect the timing and pitch. Most conductors prefer to work with their regular musicians.

Like all artists, musicians can be temperamental. Keeping them together is sometimes like herding cats. This explains why so many conductors have white hair.

The moment of truth is opening night. When the lights come up and the concert begins, there is magic in the air. Each artist plays his part with skill, the notes ring clear and true, and the music is inspiring. When the last note has sounded, and the audience springs to its feet in enthusiastic ovation, everyone revels in the joy of artistic creation. And the Conductor takes a bow.

We welcome your comments below. For immediate questions, or to submit a question to Larry for a future FAQ blog, e-mail info@ParrishBuilt.com

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While there is a small fee for inspection services, the delay in getting started is often the biggest problem. Boulder County is currently quoting two to six weeks to issue a permit for remodeling, and the city of Boulder is quoting up to four weeks. Please understand if your contractor can’t start work before the permit is issued. If you are tempted to ignore the regulation, don’t! And please don’t ask your contractor to do the work without a permit–his license and livelihood are on the line. If your contractor agrees to such an arrangement, he is not professional, and that should make you nervous.

If you’re thinking of doing work yourself without a permit, consider the owner’s disclosure statement that Realtors require sellers to sign upon listing a property. When you sell, you will be asked to sign a legal document disclosing (among other things) if you have knowledge of any work on your home that was done without a permit. If you disclose such work, rest assured the prospective buyer will require you to have the work inspected, and correct any non-conforming work at your expense. You might as well follow the rules up-front, and enjoy knowing your project is done safely and legally.

• If adding or moving electrical, plumbing, structural members, gas lines, or heating.
• Bathroom remodels other than simple replacement of finishes.
• Finishing a basement or a room in the basement.
• Moving walls or adding rooms.