Do's and Dont's for your Spring time projects

We are all exited about the changing of the season. With the spring coming around the bend now is the time to consider your home improvement projects weather repairs from the winter, just sprucing up the place or maybe a new exterior deck /pergola our team is ready to assist.  

We have all heard it before; check references, inspect past work, ask around, do your homework. This is not another one of those boring blogs However, all contractors are not created equal some contractors have varying experience, intellect and abilities. Most are honest, some are deceptive, but on the whole most are just folks trying to make ends meet. Personalities vary wildly just like the general population. You don’t associate with people you don’t like, and you hiring them to do work in your home or yard is a pretty close interaction with folks you may not see eye to eye with.

The point is that not only should you do your homework and check out their work personally, but you should also choose the contractor that you personally get along with best…not the lowest price. Save up for a few months, scale back your project a couple of feet, use less expensive materials, do what you have to, but the fellow that can’t get the quote right is not the guy who will bring your project in on time and on budget. If a carpenter can’t count, you are in trouble. And if he is working for free and not adding in profit and overhead, he won’t be around to fix warranty work.

Another thing to consider is the scope of the project. Yes, I am talking about Apples to Apples. If the project has not been planned by you or one of the contractors everyone will be bidding on a different project. I know what you are going to say… it’s just a deck, or only a fence…but the truth is a contractor if left to his own judgment will build to different specifications. Keep the playing field level. Without a proper professional plan many issues can arise. There are literally hundreds of possible pitfalls and specifications that address them that must be considered. Generic plans from a local lumber retailer just don’t address any of these, so you are best to talk to a professional deck designer if you want a well laid out, safe and long lasting deck. Once you have a proper plan you can get realistic estimates from legitimate tradesmen, which means they all are quoting on the same deck. Ask to see if there is a design service agreement to help guild the project design and budget.

We have seen several botched projects from designers that wing it, or want to do it verbally…which is prevalent in the landscape business are always hit and miss. Some are fantastic composers, but on the whole at least a concept sketch should be done. It is important for you as the informed consumer to be able to picture what is going to be done. We want you to enjoy the project not have regret everytime you enjoy your space.

Good luck with your spring projects!

Jim W.

(240) 315 5785