Homeowner s Guide for Hiring a Professional Remodeler

Transcription

1 Homeowner s Guide for Hiring a Professional Remodeler Before You Hire Any Remodeler Make Sure They Answer YES to These Questions Asking specific questions is a proven way to learn about a contractor s history, financial condition, operations, client satisfaction and much more. Essential Qualifications & Ethical REMODEL 1 Have you been in business for at least 20 years under your current business name? 2 Will you supply me with at least 20 local references I can call? 3 Do you maintain $1 Million of Liability, Commercial Vehicle & Workers Comp. insurance? 4 Do you hold an unrestricted builders license from the State of Massachusetts? 5 Do you provide comprehensive, fixed price proposals that provide for every aspect of our project, showing ALL project costs including plans, permits and all materials necessary to complete the project? 6 Do your agreements specifically spell out all contingencies regarding the price? 7 Do you have letters of good standing from your business bank and key local trade suppliers? 8 Do you have written testimonials from clients available online? 9 Have you earned the Best of Houzz award or a similar award multiple times? 10 Are you certified in Lead Safe Work Practices as required by federal law? 11 Do you use only reputable, experienced trade contractors? Are they licensed and insured? Remodeler 2 Remodeler 3 Continued

2 Homeowner s Guide, p. 2 Quality Standards Do you have detailed, written building processes describing exactly the steps you will follow in completing my project? Do you offer design services using CAD software to help homeowners visualize the project with 3D color REMODEL Remodeler 2 Remodeler 3 14 Is the owner on our project every day utilizing 60,000+ hours of hands-on experience? 15 Do you provide a six-year workmanship warranty? 16 Do you agree to a financial penalty if quality and service standards are not met? 17 Do you provide a comprehensive walk-through with the homeowner at the completion of the job? 18 Do you offer a one-year anniversary inspection after project completion? Client Care REMODEL 19 Do you have a firm policy to return morning calls by 1 PM and afternoon calls by 6 PM? Remodeler 2 Remodeler 3 20 Do you have a written daily clean up checklist? 21 Does the company owner have weekly meetings with clients to update them on project status? 22 Do you have a clear and easy to understand payment schedule in writing? 23 Do you specify all materials by brand, model and finish? 24 Do your agreements provide approximate start and completion dates in writing? 25 Do you guarantee in writing that our home will be left clean at the project s Proudly Answers YES to These Questions! We Will Provide You With Our Proof of Compliance. Getting the best value is every consumer s goal. We hope this Guide gives you the information you need to make the best choice when it comes to evaluating, hiring and working with a professional remodeling contractor. Before you consider hiring any remodeler ask them these questions and ask them to provide all the documents to support their answers. We live by our guide. We know this sets a standard that we can be proud of and that the majority of our competitors can t match. We will gladly provide you with our proof of compliance upon request. 25 Oyster Way, Mashpee, MA RemodelCapeCod.com

3 Our Bathroom Remodeling Process Many times homeowners have questions about the process of remodeling a bathroom. Below is a detailed preparation and installation procedure that involves a minimum of 80 steps for a typical bathroom remodel project. We believe our process will insure that your new bathroom will be completed on time, for the price quoted and your expectations will be met... if not exceeded. Project Agreement and Design Phase 1 After our initial meeting, we take about an hour to outline the scope of work for your project. 2 If applicable, we will spend at least 2-3 hours developing a floor plan or design for your bathroom. We will sometimes develop additional floor plans for your review. 3 We visit with our in-store designer and colorist and, with her assistance, select floor tiles, shower tiles and accent tiles if applicable We select a tub-shower or combination that will fit into the space designated for it. Sometimes we will visit one of the local showrooms to view and select just the right tub or shower base. There are many combinations and sizes to choose from! Then we research and select additional fixtures for your bathroom remodel. Items such as the vanity, countertop, toilet, faucets, shower controls, mirrors or medicine cabinets and towel bars, etc. These selections are made based upon your input at our initial meeting, i.e. color, style, finish etc. Each trade partner is sent a scope of work that we have written up for their portion of the project and a firm quote is required to be submitted. Often times we request quotes from the Electrician, Plumber, Plasterer, Custom Carpentry, Tile Setter, Countertop fabricator and Painter. If there is extensive tile work, we will work out the details. Is there a tile floor in the shower? How much tile is required to cover the walls. Is there a curb to be capped? Alcoves? Soap dishes? Corner Shelves? Once we have firmed up the details, we determine the quantity needed and write a quote request for the tile supplier. 8 We will select a shower door style and request a quote from the glass supplier. 9 A list of any required building materials is created and our lumberyard provides a quote All of the information that has been gathered is typed into a custom spreadsheet that has been developed and refined over the last decade. This custom spreadsheet ensures that we do not miss any items and automatically performs all of the required calculations to come up with the cost of each and every project. Once the scope of work is completed and all the specifics for your project have been firmed up, we then write up the project agreement that details all of the items required to build your project, as well as a complete payment schedule along with any other required items. 12 We file for required permits with your municipality.

4 Our Bathroom Remodeling Process p.2 Demolition and Prep Phase A dumpster or small debris trailer will be parked on site. Usually demolition will only take about one day to complete and then we will remove the dumpster/trailer. Prior to starting work, we cover the floors with protective paper that even stops liquids from seeping through. Carpeting is covered with a plastic film that sticks right down and does a great job of protecting your carpets. 15 Any furniture etc., is covered with a filmy plastic that is made to attract dust. 16 We will remove any pictures and wall coverings and relocate them to a safe place. 17 When required, we will set up a plastic dust wall and install a zipper door. 18 When needed, we set up an exhaust fan in a window to draw dust out of the workspace. 19 All fixtures and fittings are removed for disposal. 20 Wood trim is removed as needed. 21 Tile and drywall is removed as required. 22 Flooring is removed. Usually down to the sub-floor. 23 All plumbing is cut as needed. Water lines are cut and capped. 24 A complete cleaning is performed at the end of the demo work. Framing and Rough-In Phase 25 Existing framing will be checked and any minor issues corrected. 26 Plumber will install new shower valve and all pipes are secured to minimize pipe movement and noise. 27 If required, tub or shower drain will be relocated and new trap installed. 28 Prior to installing new tub or shower base, we will often install a new layer of plywood to strengthen floor underneath. This plywood is screwed down in place. 29 Over this layer of plywood we will fasten a layer of wire mesh to ensure that the layer of mortar will retain its structural strength. 30 The tub or preformed shower base is set in the structural mortar that is sitting on the mesh as noted above. Doing so ensures solid support underneath and that there is no give when one-steps into the tub or shower. 31 Electrician will demo any outdated or unsafe electrical devices within the bathroom. 32 If needed, the Electrician will install a dedicated service line to the bathroom for the wall receptacles as required by MA code. 33 New service boxes and wiring are installed as required. 34 Additional lighting is roughed in as required. 35 A new exhaust fan is installed. Ductwork is vented to the exterior in the shortest run possible for best efficiency.

5 Our Bathroom Remodeling Process p.3 Plaster and Tile Phase 36 If we are installing a tile surround on either the tub or shower, we do the following: 37 Blocking is installed at all cement board joints. 38 Wood blocking is installed for grab bars. 39 Wood blocking is installed at attachment points for shower doors. 40 Sticky membrane is installed in corners down to the tub or base. This is insurance against seasonal movement of framing that may open up joints or seams. 41 Walls are checked for any bowed studs and corrected. 42 Cement board is installed and secured with special screws designed for use with same. 43 At this point, plasterboard is usually installed on the walls and ceilings. 44 All joints on the plasterboard are taped and filled. 45 Plaster is skim-coated over all walls and ceilings. Finished smooth. 46 All debris etc. are cleaned up and removed. 47 Returning to the tub/shower walls, all seams in cement board are filled and flashed. 48 Two layers of Laticrete Hydro Barrier are rolled onto the cement. This creates the waterproof barrier against water infiltration Any alcoves for bathing sundries are installed or in some instances custom built and water proofed in the same manner as noted above. The tile pattern is carefully measured and laid out. Locations of all fixtures, shelves and accent tile are taken into consideration to create a pattern that is symmetrical and pleasing to the eye. Finally the tile and accent tile is installed straight and consistent according the desired pattern. Note: all of the tile is installed using thinset mortar rather then tile mastic that is used as a shortcut by some tile installers. Mastic is best used in areas that are not subject to water infiltration. Once all of the tile is installed, the next step will be to grout all of the tile joints and caulk with color matched caulking any joints that are between two different materials. i.e. where the tile meets the shower or tub surface. 53 Once the grout is dry, the tile surfaces are buffed clean and if required, a sealer is applied The next step is to prepare the floor for tile. The first step is to re-secure the subfloor by screwing the subfloor at all joists. This tightens the floor up from seasonal movement. Over this subfloor, we install a product called Strata Mat, which is a tile isolation membrane that allows for thinner floor thicknesses and better support under all types of tile. This mat is secured to the subfloor with thinset. Once the Strata mat is in place, the tile installer will trowel down a layer of thinset to fill the cups in the Strata Mat. These cups form support columns under the tile. The tile installer will then install the floor tile according to the pattern agreed to by the homeowner and will take care to ensure tiles are set flat into the thinset as even as possible. Once all of the tile is installed, the next step will be to grout all of the tile joints and caulk with color matched caulking any joints that are between two different materials, i.e. where the tile meets the shower or tub. 58 Once the grout is dry, the tile surfaces are buffed clean and if required, a sealer is applied.

6 Our Bathroom Remodeling Process p.4 Woodwork and Vanity Top 59 Any cabinetry such as the vanity is set plumb and level. If we are installing a linen tower, molding is usually placed at the top to finish the cabinet. 60 Doors and draw fronts are adjusted to ensure they line up and are consistent. 61 Knobs and pulls are installed on the vanity. 62 The vanity top is fitted and set in placed secure with silicone. A matching backsplash is also installed. 63 Typically we will install new door and window trim as needed. 64 Wood baseboard is scribed to fit and installed. 65 If needed, we will trim the bottom of the door to ensure clearance. We also check to make sure the door closes properly and adjust as required. 66 If required, a wood transition strip is installed at doorway. Painting 67 Plaster walls and ceilings are lightly sanded and touched up with compound. 68 Walls, ceilings and woodwork are primed as required. 69 All holes are filled. Flexible caulking is applied where needed Walls, ceiling and woodwork are painted with minimum two coats of finish paint. Note: we use Benjamin Moore bath paint that contains ingredients designed to inhibit the growth of mildew. We always require our painter to paint the outside side of the bathroom door including the trim. So when you stand in front of your new bathroom, everything looks fresh and new from the outside in. Plumbing and Electrical Finish Plumber will install new shut offs on all fixtures. Set and level toilet. Install faucet and drain at vanity. Complete tub/shower trim install. Seal all possible water penetration points. Electrician will install new switches and plugs. A timer on the ceiling exhaust fan is installed. New wall or ceiling light fixtures are installed. All connections at the service panel are completed at this time. Fixtures and Fittings Install 74 Install towel bars, paper holder, robe hook and towel rings. 75 Install medicine cabinets or mirror on wall. 76 Change out door hinges and install new knob set at the entry door. 77 Fit shower door. Seal and caulk as required. Clean Up and Demobilization 78 Load out all debris and packing materials. 79 Transport debris to C&D landfill. Minimum of two trips. 80 Recycle cardboard at local transfer station 81 Touch up painted surfaces as needed. 82 Completely clean entire bathroom and leave ready for use. 83 We conduct a final walk-through with you.

7 An Experienced Team of Professionals Most our bathroom remodeling projects utilize the following primary trades: Quite often this carpenter has years experience and quite adaptable to the different tasks required to successfully remodel a bathroom. A Licensed Master Plumber will plumb waste and water lines as well as heating and cooling systems. A Licensed Master Electrician is able to assess the existing condition of your home s wiring and be able to fish wires with minimal holes poked in your walls and ceilings. Carpenter Plumber Electrician Tile Setter Plasterer Painter Minimum of 10 years of real experience. A great tile setter is an artist that works with a heavy medium to create looks and patterns that are pleasing to the eye. This is usually a team effort with various levels of experience and skills. Clients are frequently amazed at how quickly and smoothly they can create great finished surfaces on the walls and ceilings. Minimum of 10 years experience. Great painters are artists with bigger brushes.