We make every step in our budgeting process as simple as possible in order to help our clients with as much thorough understanding of the remodeling process without little surprises along the way. We communicate costs so that there is an understanding of what each project will entail.

Budget
Beginning a project with Help Around the Home entails a first consultation for an in-depth conversation about the issues you are hoping to solve, the scope of work, and what budget you may have already established. We will involve members of our design team to provide budget information after early site visits. We take a collaborative approach that allows us a tighter handle on the unique issues that we need to consider for your project and to get a realistic budget early in the process.

Design Agreement
One of the first steps in the budget process is to enter into a Design Agreement. The purpose of this Agreement is to provide the homeowner with important planning and design services while allowing the free flow of information and cost analysis. Help Around the Home will provide a working drawing and design for the purposes of finalizing a budget and contract to remodel the proposed project. The design fee will cover interior floor plans, elevations and perspectives. Help Around the Home will also provide material and color selection services to help coordinate the materials used for flooring, cabinets, counters and walls. Once the completion of the preliminary plans is proposed a cost budget will be drafted. This will be refined with the homeowner and the design to reach an acceptable job budget.

Contract
The final step in the budget process is to create the project contract that contains all the items and specifications agreed upon in the Design Agreement phase.

Homeowners planning to remodel, want nothing less than a professional job. Homeowners expect the best quality in terms of workmanship and materials when it comes to improving their most prized and valuable asset. The dilemma that confronts many homeowners is their desire for a top-notch job at the lowest possible price. However, when it comes to selecting a remodeler, too many buyers conveniently forget the time-proven adage “you get what you pay for.” With price as their primary focus, they ignore other criteria that may carry more weight in producing a successfully completed project and a smooth working relationship with the remodeler.

The nature of remodeling as a service that becomes even more pronounced when you consider that you’ll be sharing your home with the remodelers’ crews for weeks or even months, depending on the scale of the project. Considering that remodeling involves some degree of inconvenience, but inconvenience can turn into an ordeal if your remodeler doesn’t put your family’s concerns and comfort first.

Rather than selecting a remodeler based on where one bid falls compared to others, turn your attention to finding a professional and reliable remodeler. A professional remodeling firm will offer you important services – years of experience, cost estimating, scheduling and the most current construction techniques, a network of suppliers and trade contractors, and an in-depth understanding of legal regulations. When you find an experienced remodeler that you trust and are happy with, but the bid is higher than what you budgeted, work with them to decide where you can cut down or what you can delay to reduce the cost. You can always have the remodeler frame in a fireplace to be installed later, but they can’t upgrade the company’s customer service and workmanship if there wasn’t any to begin with.

To ensure that you hire a professional remodeler, keep in mind the following qualifications as recommended by the National Builders Association:

Experience – How long has the remodeler been in business? The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracked business enterprises in ten major industries from 1998 to 2005. They found that 57% of new construction firms were no longer in business by the end of their fourth year and 70% had failed by the end of their seventh year. Longevity suggests financial stability, critical in this economy, which is necessary for the remodeler to finish the project and still be available if problems come up after the job is completed. Also, the more jobs the company has done, the more expertise the remodeler will bring to your job and the hidden surprises that remodeling typically involves.

Reputation – A remodeler’s former and current customers are the best source to gauge the company’s reputation. Ask for the names and phone numbers of customers you can call to find out their evaluation of the company’s work and customer service. If possible, get references from customers whose projects were similar to the one your family is planning and visit to see the work done. You can also go visit a job in progress to see how the company manages the construction process and how clean they keep the job site. Inquire as to whether these homeowners would hire the remodeler again.
Business Credentials – Find out which professional associations and groups the remodeler belongs to. Groups like these help to keep their members informed about new products, construction techniques, business practices and industry issues. Participation demonstrates a remodeler’s commitment to professionalism and to the remodeling industry.

License and Insurances – Ask for the contractor’s license number and then go online to the state licensing board to make sure it is under the correct name, is current, is the proper license for your type of project, and to find out if there are any unresolved complaints against the company. The address for California is www.cslb.ca.gov. This site will also show you the contractor’s bond and workers compensation insurance information. In addition, it is also important to verify that the contractor carries liability insurance. Have the remodeler show you copies of both their worker compensation and liability insurance certificates to protect yourself from legal responsibility in situations involving job site injuries or property damage resulting from the work being performed on your home. See below for further information on the importance of proper insurance coverage by your contractor.

More Information on the Importance of Contractor Insurance Coverage

According to Laura Olson, CISC (Certified Insurance Specialist in Construction) from GMGS Insurance in Irvine, CA, general liability insurance coverage by the contractor protects the homeowner for the following:

Property Damage – These are damages to the homeowner’s property that occur while working on the job site. Examples would be a drill dropping on the tile floor and breaking the tiles to breaking a water pipe and flooding the home. A contractor’s liability policy would pay to replace the damaged property and any costs incurred for clean up.

Bodily Injury – This covers injuries to a third party, such as a guest of the homeowner, that are caused by the construction going on in the home. An example of this might be a guest that trips over a ladder left out or an electrical power cord and injures themselves. If the contractor is not covered, and the injury is severe enough, the third party may then sue the homeowner.

Completed Operations – This covers defects that occur after the project is completed. This could be several months or several years after completion. Leaking windows that cause damage to walls or foundations from an addition that starts to move causing cracks and stress on the original structure are examples. Completed operations is the most important coverage a contractor can have.

The most common recommended limits for liability insurance are $2 Million General Aggregate, $1 Million Products/Completed Operations Aggregate and $1 Million each occurrence. Auto liability at $1 Million is also recommended.

In regard to workers compensation insurance, it is mandatory that an employer provide coverage for its employees. If a contractor does not carry workers compensation, then they are not in compliance with California state law. If they are not carrying the coverage and one of their employees is injured on the homeowner’s premises, the homeowner could be drawn into a lawsuit and be liable for medical expenses.