The Best Way to a Smooth Remodeling Project

The Temporary Marriage
Depending on their scope, remodeling projects can take anywhere from 10 days to 18 months, so getting along with your contractors is a must. Many people fall into the pattern of looking at contractors as their employees (after all, the homeowner is paying for this), and, as a result, they get a little bossy, question too many things, and don't allow contractors the space they need to create something terrific.

Remodelers are artists, and you can't just stand over an artist, hard at work at his easel, and ask "Why did you make that brushstroke? That's not the right color." And so on.

And to be fair, you wouldn't want anyone coming to your place of business and telling you how to do your job. The creation of a home addition or remodeling a room can be a messy process, and it might be difficult to see how the final product is going to look after each day. Try to be patient.

Ground Rules
But this isn't all about pleasing the contractor. You have rules, too. So let your contractor know what your rules are up front.

The Daily Schedule: Tell your contractor when is a good time to start in the morning, when you would like them to finish, if you prefer to have all messes cleaned up each night, if they can work Saturdays or Sundays, etc.

*Keep in mind that if you don't want them to start too early or work too late or on the weekends, your project is likely to take longer than usual.

Progress Schedule: See if you can work out a progress schedule with your contractor, perhaps a weekly meeting, where you can discuss progress, problems, changes, outstanding issues, etc. This will give you a chance to talk to your contractor without chewing up too much of his working time, plus it is a space where you have agreed to exchange information.

Accommodating the Location
On larger projects, the crew will likely have a dumpster for construction rubbish, and a port-o-john. To the extent that you can provide the crew with some spots on your property to set these items, they will be grateful.

To the same extent, if you can provide an outdoor hose, electrical access, and perhaps places they can park, this will also show contractors that you are aware of their needs.

The Little Extras
There are tons of nice things you can do for people who are doing work on your home. Lemonade, iced tea, or water on hot days; hot coffee in the morning; the occasional dozen bagels or box of donuts; or even a couple pizzas after a key portion of the work is complete.

Who wouldn't be appreciative of those kinds of small tokens of thanks? And while you're enjoying a bagel with the guys, it will give you a chance to get to know them a little better. Now they know who they are working for, who they are letting down when mistakes are made or deadlines are missed, and they know that the person they are working for appreciates all the hard work they are doing.