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HOME IMPROVEMENT REMODELING GUIDE FOR INEXPERIENCED HOMEOWNERS
Article by Jon Ewall
THE HOME IMPROVEMENT REMODELING GUIDE IS FOR INEXPERIENCED HOMEOWNERS, WHO FOR THE FIRST TIME ARE PLANNING A HOME REMODELING PROJECT. THE DESIRE TO UPGRADE OUTDATED INEFFICIENT EQUIPMENT, ENHANCE LIFE STYLE OR INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES ARE VALID REASONS TO REMODEL.
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE NOVICE TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK PRIOR TO CONTEMPLATING A REMODELING PROJECT. A WISE MOVE WOULD BE TO START ASSEMBLING A PACKET FILE INCLUDING PICTURES, BROCHURES AND OTHER INFORMATION WHICH WILL BE HELPFUL IN DESIGNING THE PROJECT.
TO PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF CONTRACTORS, THE OWNER SHOULD CHECK LOCALADVERTISEMENTS, THE YELLOW PAGES FOR REMODELING CONTRACTORS, LOCAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATIONS, BUILDING DEPARTMENTS AND MATERIALSHOWROOMS.
THE NEXT DECISION WOULD BE TO DECIDE IF THE OWNER INTENDS TO CONTRACT THE WORK INTERNALLY OR HIRE AN ARCHITECT, GENERAL CONTRACTOR OR ACONSTRUCTION MANAGER. THE SELECTION OF EXPERIENCED CONTRACTORS, SUPPLIERS, ARCHITECTS AND OTHERS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT.
FOR MOST PROJECTS, A REMODELING GENERAL CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE PLANS AND DRAWINGS. A PLAN OR SKETCHS ARE THE NEXT DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO SECURING BID PROPOSALS FROM A LIST OF CONTRACTORS OR SUPPLIERS.
THE BIDDING PROCESS STARTS BY SELECTING AT LEAST THREE OR MORE CONTRACTORS TO BID ON EACH ITEM OF WORK. REVIEWING AND INTERPETING THE BID PROPOSALS ARE IMPORTANT TO SELECTING A CONTRACTOR. THE CONTRACTORS BID PROPOSALS WILL INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF THE SCOPE OF WORK AND OTHER CLARIFICATIONS IN THEIR BID.
THE INVITED CONTRACTORS WILL DO A SITE INSPECTION PRIOR TO PLACING A BID. THEY WILL ASK QUESTIONS, MAKE SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE PLANS AND POINT OUT OTHER ISSUES THAT MAY EFFECT THE PRICE OF THEIR BID. KEEP IN MIND THAT EACH OF THEM SHOULD GIVE YOU A WRITTEN PROPOSAL BASED ON THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
THE CONTRACTORS SHOULD ALSO BE ADVISED THAT ALL BID PROPOSALS NEED BEDELIVERED TO YOU ON A CERTAIN DATE. AFTER ALL OF THE BIDS ARE RECEIVED, THE BID PROPOSALS NEED TO BE REVIEWED FOR CONTENT AND QUALIFICATIONS.
IN ORDER TO SELECT A SUCCESSFUL CONTRACTOR, THE OWNER WILL NEED TO ASK QUESTIONS REGARDING THE BID PROPOSAL, CONTRACTOR
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