Hiring a Contractor for Remodeling Projects
Much has been said about the benefits of taking a DIY approach to home remodeling projects. It instills pride of ownership, increases the sweat equity you’ve put into your home, and can be more affordable than hiring a professional. The reality, however, is that some projects require more skill and expertise to be done right. What do you need to keep in mind when hiring a contractor? Here are some tips:
Preparing to Hire a contractor: Have your plans ready when you begin meeting with contractors. This will show them you are prepared and fully invested in the project. Conduct phone interviews and meet in person with potential candidates to give yourself the opportunity to gauge their professionalism and expertise.
Helpful Questions to ask prospective contractors:
❱ Is your company licensed?
❱ What prior experience do you have with this type of remodeling project?
❱ What is your timeline for starting and completing this job?
❱ How long have you worked with your current subcontractors?
❱ Could you provide a list of references who can speak to your quality of work?
Contracts and implied warranty: It is important that you understand the contract you’re agreeing to, and that you examine its finer points, such as the warranty terms. These terms will spell out what course of action you can take should there be an issue with the contractor’s work. In the U.S., we have a legal concept known as “implied warranty” that protects those who hire contractors. Implied warranty essentially means that it is understood that the contractor will perform quality work and that the home will continue to be safe to live in as a result of the repairs. These implied warranties are known as “good workmanship” and “habitability.”
A good contract will have a detailed description of the labor and materials required to perform the job, a project schedule, the names of suppliers and subcontractors the contractors plan to use, and the payment schedule you have agreed upon.
Setting a payment schedule: When it comes to the cost of labor and materials, you won’t have much room for negotiation. The payment schedule, however, is one area where you can negotiate. Before the work begins, agree on a payment structure with your contractor. Good contractors want to perform high-quality work that is completed on time, and the agreement you reach together can incentivize their work. For example, you can stipulate that a percentage of the total job cost is paid out when certain stages of the project are completed.
Potential needs for temporary housing: For large-scale remodeling projects, contractors need space to work to a high standard. Accordingly, it may be best for everyone involved if you move out of your home until the work is complete. A home in the midst of a remodel is a noisy and chaotic place to be. Dust is flying, saws are buzzing, walls are being knocked out, and hammers are hammering. Trying to coexist with the remodel may be more trouble than it’s worth since the usage of your home will be severely limited for the time being. If you plan on hiring a contractor to perform a large-scale remodel, search for housing alternatives far in advance to ensure you and your household will have a place to stay.
Whether you’re remodeling your home now or in the future, I hope you find this information helpful as you go about hiring a contractor. I wish you the best of luck in your home improvement!
Choosing the Best Lighting for Your Home
The right lighting can tie your home together. Once you know the different effects various types of lighting can create, you can identify which is best for your home.
Ambient lighting vs. accent lighting: Ambient lighting is subtle, whereas accent lighting is bold. Ambient lighting will light an entire room, while accent lighting accentuates a focal point.
Light Fixtures: Overhead pendant light fixtures are a common choice for homeowners looking to evenly disperse lighting throughout the room, while chandeliers can help to create a regal atmosphere. Track lighting is often used to spotlight works of art by accentuating a gallery wall.
How to use lighting: Lighting has the power to create different moods by adjusting brightness, color, and temperature. For example, warm light in the kitchen can make it feel more comfortable. Accordingly, you can use lighting as a tool to reinforce the function of the rooms in your home while complementing your existing décor.
Home Pricing Guide
Here are the average three-bedroom home sale prices in some of the neighborhoods served by Windermere. Data from July 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021.
Apache Junction
Chandler
Cave Creek
Flagstaff
Fountain Hills
Glendale
Gold Canyon
$406,000
$480,000
$696,000
$976,000
$693,000
$398,000
$527,000
Goodyear
Mesa
New River
Paradise Valley
Peoria
Phoenix
Prescott
$445,000
$435,000
$555,000
$2,353,000
$445,000
$444,000
$715,000
Scottsdale
Sedona
Sun Lakes
Surprise
Tempe
Tucson
$857,000
$1,245,000
$544,000
$418,000
$462,000
$426,000
Alameda
Alamo
Albany
Alpine
Anaheim
Antioch
Bakersfield
Baldwin Park
Beaumont
Berkeley
Big Bear
Big Bear Lake
Blackhawk
Brea
Brentwood
Burbank
Cardiff by the Sea
Carlsbad
Carmel Valley
Carson
Castro Valley
Cathedral City
Chino
Chino Hills
Chula Vista
Clayton
Concord
Corona
Coronado
Costa Mesa
Covina
Dana Point
Danville
Davis
Del Mar
Desert Hot Springs
Diamond Bar
Discovery Bay
Dublin
El Cajon
El Cerrito
El Sobrante
Encinitas
Escondido
Fairfield
Fallbrook
Folsom
Fort Bragg
Fresno
$991,000
$1,929,000
$1,631,000
$777,000
$765,000
$572,000
$280,000
$628,000
$462,000
$1,649,000
$519,000
$670,000
$2,225,000
$898,000
$726,000
$1,155,000
$1,695,000
$1,313,000
$1,492,000
$701,000
$1,178,000
$522,000
$654,000
$756,000
$715,000
$989,000
$778,000
$645,000
$2,517,000
$1,195,000
$740,000
$1,660,000
$1,712,000
$769,000
$3,650,000
$357,000
$861,000
$854,000
$1,289,000
$707,000
$1,279,000
$793,000
$1,814,000
$754,000
$541,000
$754,000
$664,000
$1,013,000
$331,000
Fullerton
Gilroy
Granite Bay
Hacienda Heights
Hayward
Huntington Beach
Imperial Beach
Indian Wells
Indio
Irvine
La Canada Flintridge
La Jolla
La Mesa
La Quinta
La Verne
Lafayette
Laguna Beach
Laguna Niguel
Lake Arrowhead
Lake Elsinore
Lakeside
Livermore
Lodi
Long Beach
Loomis
Malibu
Manteca
Martinez
Merced
Modesto
Monterey
Moraga
Moreno Valley
Morgan Hill
Murrieta
Napa
National City
Northridge
Novato
Oakland
Oakley
Oceanside
Ontario
Orinda
Palm Desert
Palm Springs
Palo Alto
Pasadena
Paso Robles
$878,000
$928,000
$779,000
$769,000
$916,000
$1,235,000
$859,000
$1,195,000
$515,000
$1,193,000
$1,718,000
$2,650,000
$782,000
$764,000
$837,000
$1,684,000
$3,050,000
$1,180,000
$658,000
$506,000
$717,000
$1,032,000
$514,000
$975,000
$773,000
$3,570,000
$562,000
$826,000
$359,000
$432,000
$1,341,000
$1,564,000
$466,000
$1,168,000
$603,000
$1,066,000
$644,000
$854,000
$959,000
$1,172,000
$587,000
$804,000
$591,000
$1,708,000
$767,000
$1,035,000
$3,217,000
$1,287,000
$688,000
Piedmont
Pinole
Pleasant Hill
Pleasanton
Pomona
Poway
Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Cordova
Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Mirage
Rancho Santa Fe
Redding
Redlands
Richmond
Riverside
Rocklin
Roseville
Rowland Heights
San Bernardino
San Clemente
San Diego
San Dimas
San Fernando
San Francisco
San Jose
San Leandro
San Lorenzo
San Mateo
San Ramon
Sacramento
Salinas
Santa Clara
Santa Rosa
Santee
Solana Beach
Sonoma
Spring Valley
Stockton
Temecula
Tustin
Ukiah
Vacaville
Vista
Walnut
Walnut Creek
Whittier
Yucca Valley
$2,253,000
$754,000
$923,000
$1,302,000
$654,000
$924,000
$825,000
$477,000
$668,000
$992,000
$2,527,000
$375,000
$557,000
$778,000
$549,000
$623,000
$586,000
$733,000
$432,000
$1,595,000
$960,000
$845,000
$669,000
$1,556,000
$1,193,000
$933,000
$865,000
$1,724,000
$1,393,000
$495,000
$600,000
$1,636,000
$755,000
$705,000
$1,955,000
$947,000
$664,000
$423,000
$663,000
$976,000
$425,000
$558,000
$777,000
$906,000
$1,309,000
$752,000
$478,000
Arvada
Aurora
Boulder
Castle Pines
Castle Rock
Centennial
Denver
$593,000
$487,000
$1,219,000
$764,000
$592,000
$581,000
$635,000
Englewood
Evergreen
Fort Collins
Golden
Greenwood Village
Highlands Ranch
Lakewood
$561,000
$865,000
$563,000
$827,000
$1,155,000
$606,000
$583,000
Littleton
Lone Tree
Parker
Thornton
Westminster
Windsor
$599,000
$830,000
$606,000
$494,000
$530,000
$541,000
Big Island
Hilo
Kohala Coast
Kona
Puna
$507,000
$871,000
$1,160,000
$378,000
Maui
Haiku
Kahului
Kihei
Lahaina
Wailea/Makena
Wailuku
$1,437,000
$813,000
$1,361,000
$1,596,000
$3,593,000
$841,000
Boise
Caldwell
Coeur d'Alene
Eagle
Grangeville
$520,000
$400,000
$615,000
$897,000
$281,000
Hayden
Lewiston
Meridian
Moscow
Nampa
$637,000
$347,000
$550,000
$417,000
$435,000
Post Falls
$513,000
Sun Valley
Hailey
Ketchum
$707,000
$2,145,000
Bozeman
Hamilton
Helena
Missoula
Whitefish
$896,000
$410,000
$323,000
$500,000
$986,000
Boulder City
Henderson
Las Vegas
North Las Vegas
$515,000
$493,000
$419,000
$354,000
Albany
Ashland
Astoria
Beaverton/
Sunset Corridor
Bend
Canby
Cannon Beach
Cascade Locks
Clatskanie
Corvallis
Cottage Grove
Creswell
Dallas
Eagle Point
Eugene
Florence
Forest Grove
Gearhart
Gleneden Beach
Grants Pass
$424,000
$587,000
$497,000
$609,000
$786,000
$566,000
$1,170,000
$363,000
$450,000
$539,000
$403,000
$429,000
$453,000
$419,000
$457,000
$502,000
$495,000
$658,000
$586,000
$444,000
Gresham
Happy Valley
Hermiston
Hillsboro
Hood River
Jacksonville
Klamath Falls
Lake Oswego
Lebanon
Lincoln City
McMinnville
Medford
Milton-Freewater
Molalla
Monmouth
Newberg
Newport/Seal Rock
$467,000
$569,000
$348,000
$577,000
$753,000
$577,000
$305,000
$850,000
$404,000
$570,000
$487,000
$389,000
$317,000
$506,000
$466,000
$496,000
$591,000
Portland
North
Northeast
$527,000
$553,000
Southeast
West
$515,000
$714,000
Prineville
Redmond
Rogue River
St. Helens
Salem
Sandy
Scappoose
Springfield
Sunriver
The Dalles
Tigard
Tualatin
Vida
Warrenton
Wilsonville
$474,000
$580,000
$512,000
$415,000
$436,000
$524,000
$466,000
$400,000
$589,000
$394,000
$553,000
$598,000
$662,000
$525,000
$650,000
Bountiful
Coalville
Layton
$475,000
$624,000
$444,000
Midvale
Orem
Park City
$591,000
$478,000
$1,600,000
Provo
Salt Lake City
West Valley City
$470,000
$658,000
$492,000
Aberdeen
Allyn
Anacortes
Arlington
Auburn
Bainbridge Island
Belfair
Bellevue
Bellingham
Bingen/White Salm.
Birch Bay/Blaine
Bonney Lake
Bothell
Bremerton
Brinnon
Burien
Camano Island
Camas
Cathlamet
Centralia
Chelan
Chewelah
Clarkston
Cle Elum
Colville
Deer Park
DuPont
Edmonds
Ellensburg
Entiat
Enumclaw
Ephrata
Everett
Federal Way
Ferndale
Gig Harbor
Goldendale
Granite Falls
Issaquah
Kelso
$280,000
$503,000
$789,000
$589,000
$563,000
$1,372,000
$507,000
$1,553,000
$657,000
$744,000
$595,000
$526,000
$829,000
$480,000
$833,000
$739,000
$716,000
$611,000
$401,000
$383,000
$860,000
$308,000
$326,000
$765,000
$267,000
$450,000
$487,000
$845,000
$478,000
$439,000
$600,000
$315,000
$608,000
$538,000
$588,000
$746,000
$302,000
$519,000
$1,097,000
$387,000
Kenmore
Kent
Kettle Falls
Kingston
Kirkland
Lake Forest Park
Lake Stevens
Lake Tapps
Lakewood
Leavenworth
Liberty Lake
Long Beach
Longview
Lopez Island
Lynden
Lynnwood
Maple Valley
Marysville
Mazama
Mercer Island
Mill Creek
Monroe
Moses Lake
Mount Vernon
Mountlake Terrace
Mukilteo
Newcastle
Normandy Park
Northport
Ocean Shores
Olympia
Omak/Okanogan
Orcas Island
Packwood
Port Angeles
Port Ludlow
Port Orchard
Port Townsend
Poulsbo
Prosser
$885,000
$593,000
$362,000
$657,000
$1,240,000
$908,000
$637,000
$752,000
$479,000
$887,000
$605,000
$434,000
$372,000
$1,422,000
$571,000
$702,000
$686,000
$542,000
$976,000
$2,411,000
$849,000
$673,000
$332,000
$550,000
$749,000
$891,000
$1,038,000
$974,000
$526,000
$444,000
$526,000
$270,000
$1,251,000
$538,000
$478,000
$742,000
$516,000
$673,000
$632,000
$419,000
Pullman
Puyallup
Quincy
Redmond
Renton
Republic
Sammamish
$373,000
$497,000
$354,000
$1,212,000
$716,000
$470,000
$1,311,000
Seattle
North
Northwest
West
Downtown/Central
Southeast
$1,022,000
$1,107,000
$865,000
$1,339,000
$855,000
Sedro Woolley
Sequim
Shelton
Shoreline
Silverdale
Snohomish
Spokane
Spokane Valley
Stanwood
Stevenson
Sumner
Tacoma
Tri-Cities
Twisp
University Place
Vancouver
Vashon
Walla Walla
Wenatchee
Westport
Whidbey Island
Winthrop
Woodinville
Yakima
Yelm
$477,000
$619,000
$427,000
$788,000
$547,000
$796,000
$368,000
$404,000
$629,000
$545,000
$528,000
$484,000
$416,000
$670,000
$590,000
$589,000
$1,005,000
$378,000
$506,000
$302,000
$609,000
$799,000
$1,071,000
$356,000
$437,000
