 | Art Bryan
is president and owner of Southwestern Remodeling Contractors, Inc. Art started Southwestern Remodeling Contractors in 1970. Southwestern is a fully-licensed residential and commercial licensed general contractor in Wichita and the surrounding counties. Art has been a member of the Wichita Area Home Builders Association and the National Remodel Council since 1974. In mid-2000 Southwestern received the distinction of being named one of the "Top 25 Most Diversified Remodeling Companies in the United States.” Southwestern is listed as the 84th Top Remodeler in the country by Qualified Remodeling Magazine. Art can be contacted at his office at (316) 263-1239, fax at (316) 263-6230, or you can e-mail him at ARTSWR@aol. Com |
Home Improvement
2005-01-01 08:42:00
What could/should we have done?
: Recently we entered into an agreement with a remodeler, to remodel our kitchen and great room, and to build a new attached garage. The total came to $134,000. After 6 months and a dozen or more delays in construction, the remodeler basically went into a 'stall'. We have paid this remodeler $96,000 to date. Now he will not return our phone calls and there has been no one on the job for several weeks. We have hired an attorney and it looks like it's going to be a 'nightmare' to get it resolved. We hired another remodeler who we checked out a bit more thoroughly. It’s going to cost $90,000 more to finish the job. My questions are: How can something like this happen? What should we have done?
ANSWER: The remodeling industry is no different than any other industry. As a whole, it is a tremendous industry, providing millions of jobs throughout the country. However, as with any industry, there are those who are less committed, and care more about serving themselves than their customers. Things like this might be a little more glaring than most industries, because the price of errors is so high. My answer should work for both questions. While there are several 'watchdog' agencies that can assist in precluding a 'nightmare' such as this from happening, the ultimate responsibility will always rest with you… the customer. Each remodeler is required to have a license for the area in which he/she remodels. There are 'guild' groups in the market like Wichita Area Home Builders, and the Wichita Remodeling Council, that do a wonderful job of policing their own and putting out guidelines for their members. But they can only go so far. The biggest thing you have to do is what is called in any industry… 'due diligence'. Here is what I would recommend anyone do before signing an agreement to have work performed. • Decide whether it makes a difference to you if the remodeler has employees or sub contracts out all of the work. In the case described above, if there is a problem, you will deal with the remodeler only if his/her employees do the work. If he/she sub contracts out the work, you might be dealing with several entities… and never get anything resolved. • Ask the remodeler to show you his remodeling license for the area you in which you live. • Ask the remodeler to show you proof of affiliations with different guilds in the market. • Ask the remodeler to show you at least 5 different jobs he has done in the last 12 months, in the area you are remodeling. For example, if you are remodeling a kitchen, ask him to show you five kitchens he has remodeled in the last 12 months. Ask if you can contact these homeowners. If he/she has not done at least 5 jobs like yours, do you want him/her to do yours? Some remodelers tackle jobs they should not, but do because they are a remodeler and they figure a remodeler should be able to do everything. It may also be useful information for you if they do not want you to contact the homeowners for whom they worked. • Your remodeler should have an established presence in the community. Ask how long they have been in business, not how many years of service. Longevity suggests financial stability. • Does the remodeler maintain solid relationships with experienced independent trade contractors (such as plumber and electricians) and work with them as a team to keep your job running smoothly? • Make sure your remodeler carries insurance that protects you from claims arising from property damage or job site injuries. Be sure and ask for a copy of the remodeler's insurance certificates so you can be sure you will not be liable in these situations for property damage or job site related injuries. Go by the remodeler's place of business; talk to the owner or one of the employees. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable with the remodeler and confident that the company can do the project to your satisfaction.
