Rx for a Contractor

As you know, we recently completed a home project and had a new design studio constructed where our unused garage had been. For those who had not kept up with the postings (and you know who you are!), the project had it's ups and downs...and downs.

You would think that as designers-and we've supervised lots of building projects-we would have been prepared for the ride. AND, you would think that we would know what to look for in a contractor, and how to avoid the missteps that so often befall a project. Well, think again. We ended up with a job that took about twice as long as we expected, an air conditioning unit that caused huge headaches (possibly due to faulty initial installation) and lots of "add-on" costs at the end of the project that were never discussed. And we even used a contractor that we were familiar with and had worked with on several previous projects.

In reviewing everything that happened, I've recalled articles I have read through the years in home improvement magazines about choosing the right contractor. I'm not sure how to do that. But I can suggest that you talk....and talk...and talk. Talk to the contractor at length, talk to his previous clients, talk to your friends...heck, even talk to your mom! If it feels right to hire him or her, you'll know it. And then, keep talking to him all through the project. If ANYTHING seems like a change, ask if it's going to cost more. Review your contract periodically and make sure they are doing what is in the contract, and no more or less unless you know what it is, and what it will cost.

It seems like everyone we know has a nightmare story about their contractor. Why is that? I do have an idea... We want our contractors to care about our projects as much as we do...and some of them do, more or less. But at the end of the day they all get to go home, and we have to live with the project...our own home.

When it was all said and done, we're really happy with our new space, and overall happy with the job that was done. But here's a suggestion for the people who license contractors. In my opinion, every contractor should have to take a course (or two) in prescribing medications. I mean, how hard could that be?? And at the beginning of every job, the contractor should come to the project with prescriptions for Xanax, Valium or some other tranquilizing medication. I know it would have done me a world of good!