How To Manage The Project

How To Manage The Project
Once you decide to hire a contractor you should know how to effectively manage him. Since we’re discussing home repair and maintenance issues, the contractor’s work will probably be done quickly versus a large home renovation project or new construction. Even so, there are some guidelines to follow in managing the work of anyone you hire to work on your home.

· Define the expectations of both parties (you and them) and manage to those expectations.

· At a minimum, have a signed document (a contract, or signed and accepted proposal) that outlines what they will do for you (called the Scope of Work), define how much it will cost and where time is an issue define how long it will take and when they will start and finish.

· Define the payment terms before work is started and make the terms part of your signed document.

· Define your expectations and requirements for clean up of their work and protection of surrounding areas as part of the signed document (for example a roofer must protect your landscaping during a roof tear-off and clean up any debris.)

· Discuss the rights of the contractor to access the home when you’re not there, if required, and the use of your water, electricity. (NOTE: Try not to have the contractor in your home when you’re not there. This protects you and them.)

· Before the contractor starts work, have a friendly conversation about what you want them to be careful with if you have any concerns about things.

· When the work is going on, generally leave the contractor alone. Be friendly but don’t get in the way. Casually observe what they are doing. If you are concerned about something you see, ask the contractor about it, but try to let them get their work done. Contractors make their living by getting in and out of a job efficiently.

· "EXTRA": The most difficult issue you may experience is the possible request by the contractor for a “Change Order” or “Extra”. This results in added cost to you, which is why you need a clearly defined scope of work. A request for a Change Order is reasonable ONLY if the contractor runs into a situation on the project that was not reasonably anticipated by him, or is a change in scope by you.

If you do get a request for a Change Order, review it with the contractor in fairness. If it is a change in scope, or resulted in taking more time due to something you did, you should review and pay it if you think it’s fair. If it’s something that was always part of the scope, you have a more delicate situation and may need to stand firm based on the terms defined in your signed document. If the contractor assumed scope they did not have to perform, you could possibly use that in negotiations as a trade-off. Bottom line? If you need to negotiate a price on a Change Order you both did not anticipate, try splitting the difference with him. Rapport and fairness go a long way in resolving these issues.

· When the repair or maintenance work is complete, make sure you review the work, in person, BEFORE you make final payment to the contractor. Make sure the job site is cleaned as expected and the work looks good. Do not be rushed into final payment for any reason.

· If you’re happy with their work, tell them. Like you and me, they are people trying to do a good job and they take pride in what they do for a living too.

Mortgage World - 15901 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 200 - Tustin, CA 92780
Office Phone: 714.259.0700 Fax: 714.259.0275 Cell Phone: 714.448.0007

We lend in the following states: CA & CO