Increased Demand for Home Additions

Despite the challenges facing homeowners when it comes to home renovations during COVID-19, many are forging ahead with their projects so that they’ll be in a home they love.

Contractors around Boston said they experienced a huge demand for services this summer that has extended into fall — especially for modest projects such as adding a backyard deck or a fence. The trend helps offset the loss of work builders suffered earlier when the industry put larger commercial jobs on hold because of the pandemic lockdown. Work isn’t hard to come by, but fitting it all into the schedule is another challenge.

Now that we’ve established some of the challenges homeowners face, you should review the best tips for contacting a home additions remodeler in your area.

Tip #1 – Take Your Time

Qualified contractors can be hard to find in the best of circumstances. When there’s a sudden demand for home improvement, bad actors come out of the woodwork. This phenomenon often occurs after a hurricane or during a global pandemic.

Demand hasn’t reached the level of hurricane recovery, says Tom Ashley, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council. Still, homeowners may see elevated demand and feel tempted to “just reach out and grab [someone].”

Instead, ask friends and family for recommendations about both the good and the bad experiences they’ve had. Was the work done well? On-time? Did contractors promptly return calls? What did the contractor do when it found surprise asbestos in the walls? Or when the oven for the kitchen renovation arrived three months late?

You also can search for your National Association of Home Builders chapter and look for remodelers. These contractors are more likely to know the local rules, regulations, and municipality requirements, especially regarding permits and inspections.

Tip #2 – Ask for References

Even if you’re considering a contractor based on a recommendation, always ask for more references. Try to match the kind of project you have in mind.

And make sure you can see their work. While COVID-19 might make it harder to see that work in person, a video call is still better than pictures.

David Dynega, CEO of Detail Renovations in Great Neck, New York, says the more references, the better. Dynega will provide a list of 100 clients “so [potential customers] can pick and choose who they want to speak to,” he says. He also itemizes the list so potential clients can call past clients based on the type of job.

Tip #3 – Check All Licenses

Each state has its contractor licensing board, so check to ensure the contractor you choose is legitimate. Where you can search licenses depends on the form. For example, in New Jersey, it’s with the division of consumer affairs; with Pennsylvania, it’s with the attorney general. Many state contractor boards have set up their searchable websites.

Not only will a license prove that a contractor has met general requirements to operate in your state, but you can typically also see any outstanding complaints filed with your state.

Hiring a licensed contractor also gives you a layer of protection in case things go wrong. If needed, you can report the contractor to the state licensing board. If a contractor down here ignores the process, the contractor can lose their license.

Your state also has a contractor’s recovery fund that can compensate homeowners if a licensed contractor leaves a job unfinished.

Tip #4 – Create a Detailed Plan

The more specifics you include in the plan from the start, the better, Ashley says. “People want to jump to the work first. The painful part is figuring out exactly what you want and how much it’s going to cost.”

Make sure your plan is detailed. For example, a contractor’s bid shouldn’t just say “paint the room.” Instead, ensure it says something like this: “I’m going to paint two coats, and we’re going to do the ceiling and the trim,” Ashley says.

This method also helps create a realistic schedule. That might mean changes—and a ballooning budget, too.

For a big job, Dynega often recommends the homeowner hire a designer or architect. “I want them spending the time to evaluate the process,” he says.

Make sure payments are part of the schedule, too, and are in line with your state’s regulations, Nason says. In Florida, for example, if a contractor takes more than a 10% down payment, the contractor must apply for permits within 30 days of the payment and start work within 90 days of permit issue dates. In California, down payments are 10% of the total cost of $1,000, whatever is less.

Be wary of estimates that sound too good to be true. Ashley says part of his job is sometimes reeducating people about what costs when a camera crew isn’t around.