Build It Coach: Renovation, Remodeling, Home Improvement

Renovation and remodeling contractors are notorious for being bad business managers. Many contractors are skilled at building kitchens, bathrooms, room additions, painting, patios, etc, however, they are horrible at managing cash flow. When a contractor runs out of money when performing work on your project, your life can become a miserable Hell. Bad Money Barry is a skilled contractor but also a bad money manager. When Barry is short on cash, he will use tricks such as unwarranted change orders to pad his pocket with extra cash. Learn how to combat Bad Money Barry and avoid going over your project budget and experiencing project failure.

Renovation and remodeling can become confusing, chaotic, and expensive fast. One of the main reasons this fact rings true is because the contractor can contribute to unnecessary expensive changes that lead to budget-busting cost overruns. Better Way Barney is the guy or gal on the contractor's staff who is the self-designated expert who loves to stray away from the project plan by doing the construction project better than outlined on the plan. Of course, these improvements come at a cost to your pockets. Additionally, some of these suggested changes disturb other areas of your project thus causing more project budget destruction. Learn how to combat Better Way Barney and avoid going over your project budget and experiencing project failure.

Renovation and remodeling contractors use ambiguity as a tool to increase their profits by using cheap materials. When the homeowner discovers that cheap materials are being used, the contractor charges the homeowner higher than normal fees to use long-lasting, high-grade materials. In some cases, your project budget could double or triple. Many homeowners don't specify the materials to be used on their project and create "grey areas" of interpretation for the contractor to decide which materials are best for the best. This is a bad idea. This is where Ambiguous Andy comes in a robs your bank account by up charging you for the material upgrade. Learn how to combat Ambiguous Andy and avoid project failure.

Time is a critical component of any renovation or remodeling project. It's so important, it one of the key components of the Golden Triangle in construction, Scope, Time, Cost. Greedy contractors will often experience self-caused time delays and use "creative imagination" to make their delays your cost. The contractor will blame the homeowner or property owner for stalling the project by causing obstructions to the job site via physical obstacles or access issues. Additionally, obscure and ambiguous phases in the proposal or contract can make you liable for any delay which adds to the destruction of your project budget. Learn how to combat Stall Em Steve and avoid project failure.

To get awarded a construction contract, contractors will use confidence as a tactic to trick the property owner into becoming the contractor of choice. The contractor will continually tell you "no problem" when it comes to overcoming any project challenges and performing the renovation or remodeling work. You've been introduced to "No Problem Paul." Paul tells you everything you want to hear and gives you a great price. Unfortunately, Paul overpromises and underdelivers which eventually causes you aggravation, time, and money. Learn how to combat No Problem Paul and avoid project failure.

When contractors have a lot of customers and a backlog of construction projects, finding skilled people to perform the work can be a challenge. Contractors are faced with the reality of having to hire people who may not be the most qualified. These unqualified people are known as the C crew. The C crew is not as efficient as the A or B crew and is often a lot slower and less profitable for the construction company. The C crew is known as Slow-Mo Stanley. Unfortunately, the renovation or remodeling contractor will try to make you (the homeowner) pay more money for your project to compensate for Slow-Mo Stanley's work habits and lack of skill. Learn how to combat Slow-Mo Stanley and keep this unskilled contractor's employee from draining your bank account.  

The free estimate can cost you thousands if you're not careful. Contractors use an estimator to arrive at the cost to construct your renovation or remodeling project. Unfortunately, the actual site conditions may not be in alignment with the estimator's cost expectations. When the construction crew starts construction Disaster Dave will work in tandem with Edward the Estimator to justify extra costs (change orders) to exploit your bank account. Learn the tactics and strategies to combat this dubious practice and prevent your project from becoming a financial hell.

Contractors are always trying to make an extra buck. Sometimes the extra money contractors earn through change orders is well deserved however, many times the extra charges are theft. Contractors will use any means to convince the homeowner or property owner that the change orders are legitimate. One of the tools that contractors use is an employee named "Not in Quote Quincy." Quincy will attempt to use the estimate/proposal as the means to negotiate change orders even if a contract agreement exists outside of the initial proposal. Learn how to combat Not in Quote Quincy and save thousands on your renovation or remodeling project.  

Contractors are in the business of making money. Many times contractors get greedy and use clever tactics to line their pockets with additional profits. In a previous episode, we discussed Change Order Charlie and how Change Orders can be used to make your project a living hell. In this episode, we discuss one Proposal Pete who is one of Change Order Charlie's buddies. Proposal Pete loves telling you "what's not included" in your project, which results in money extraction from your bank account. Learn how to combat Proposal Pete and come out with a winning renovation or remodeling project.

Renovation and remodeling contractors can take on traits attributed to the dark corners of society. Often, the contractor takes on the role of a pimp. Contractors use psychological tricks to gain additional profit from your project while providing little to no value in exchange. Many times the contractor (pimp) develops and utilizes customer stereotypes to objectify and trick the property owner out of money. It is the ultimate goal of the contractor to use Change Orders to turn your dream project into a construction hell. Learn how to gain the edge on cash corrupt pimps by understanding their tricks and combating their trick with "Mental Game." Don't forget to take advantage of your free goodies. These free downloads will save you thousands of dollars and sleepless nights. Free guide on how to pay contractor without loosing your shirt. http://builditcoach.com/smartpay (http://builditcoach.com/smartpay) Free guide on how to hire a great contractor http://builditcoach.com/hire (http://builditcoach.com/hire)

In this episode of Build It Coach, we continue the discussion of using a consultant in order to provide quality assurance. Project milestones, schedules, and failure points are highlighted in order to help the homeowner properly plan the project with the consultant and contractor. The project specifications of your project may supersede local code requirements. If you are not a construction professional, using a consultant can mean life or death of the success of your renovation or remodeling project.

In this episode of Build It Coach, we continue the discussion of using a consultant in order to provide quality assurance. Project milestones, schedules, and failure points are highlighted in order to help the homeowner properly plan the project with the consultant and contractor. The project specifications of your project may supersede local code requirements. If you are not a construction professional, using a consultant can mean life or death of the success of your renovation or remodeling project.

In this episode of Build It Coach, we ask and answer the question, should I hire a consultant? Why? Most homeowners or property owners are not experts in the remodeling or renovation business. We rely upon the expert advice of our contractor and trust his/her advice when it comes to making construction decisions. Many times our trust is taken for granted and the contractor gets away with performing bad work. You can avoid this mental-draining, bank account robbing, frustrating experience by hiring a consultant who can help you inspect the quality of work.   Consultants are inexpensive and are worth their weight in gold. There is a proper way to use a consultant so that you can avoid a clash between your contractor and consultant. In part I of Consultant Clash, learn why you should use a consult and get a hint into part II on when to use a consultant.

Unfortunately, renovation and remodeling owners forget a simple truth. For your project to get done, it involves PEOPLE. Yes, it sounds simple. People can have a huge influence on whether your project is a success or failure.   People need to be managed so that your project doesn't get derailed and experience an untimely costly delay. In this episode, we explore a critical tool that helps you manage people who influence your project or may perceive to be impacted by your project. That tool is the Stakeholders Registry. A failure to manage Stakeholders could lead to gloom and doom.

Before moving forward with designing or constructing your renovation or remodeling project, you should understand the Why of your project. It sounds basic, it may sound spooky or woo-woo, however, you should have a clear understanding of Why you truly want to spend time, money, and energy transforming a space in your home or property. Transformation can be a positive or negative experience. Understanding the Why will allow you to tap into the emotional requirements that need to be integrated into the design and scope of work of your project. If you don't understand the Why, it is possible to build a fantastic looking project that doesn't meet your emotions, functional or intended needs. In this episode, we give you techniques on how to discover your Why? You will tap different parts of your brain, ask insightful questions, and discover the Root Cause of your project. You will learn how to ask the correct questions which will eventually lead you to your master question. The master question which will identify the key features that must appear in your renovation or remodeling project. Not only will your project look great but it will also meet your emotional needs.

Documenting the existing conditions of your renovation or remodeling project is very important. Failure to do so can lead to rework which can lead to unplanned costs, project delays, and major cost overruns. It is common for homeowners to be optimistic and hope that their property is a condition that won't lead to budget-busting cost overruns. Unfortunately, these optimistic views contradict the reality of most renovation or remodeling projects. In this podcast episode, Dale Scriven, PMP, DBIA provides strategies that allow you to come out ahead when it comes to documenting, discovering, and financing your home's existing conditions.   The following topics are discussed: Hope Getting the requirements Investigating Contingency If a homeowner follows the advice discussed in this podcast and avoids optimistic, hopeful, wishful thinking, the homeowner has an opportunity to save thousands of dollars.

Inviting a contractor to provide a bid/price for your project is an art and a skill. You can use the Request for Proposal Document (RFP) as a tool to help you choose a great contractor to construct your renovation or remodeling project. The RFP puts the homeowner and property owner in charge. The contractor must respond to your RFP correctly in order to have any hopes to construct your project. The RFP also serves as a checklist that allows the property owner to plan and organize their project goals. The RFP is consists of several important sections to include: Date & Title/Name of the Project Project Scope Statement that references the plans, specifications and/or a detailed scope of work Approximate Start Date Approximate Duration Bid Award Rules (Low Bid, Quality of Bid, Best Value) Bid Requirements to include the Bid Pricing Sheet and Preliminary Project Schedule Contract Attachments (Safety Plan, HOA Rules, Local City Ordinances)  Your rules, to include taking off shoes, work hours, smoking, cursing,  Subcontract Agreement (Fixed Price, GMP, Cost Plus, Time & Material) Bonding Requirements Insurance Requirements Rewards or Liquidated Damages Warranty Requirements Permits, Fees, Inspections Learn the magic of the RFP document so that you can hire a great contractor and avoid project chaos and money loss.

When getting contractor pricing for your renovation or remodeling project, it's important to obtain multiple bids. A a minimum, you should obtain two bids. Three bids are optimal and four bids may be too many. In this Quick Tips episode, critical information is provided regarding how to analyze bids and how to identify the best quality bid. Don't treat your project like a commodity. The low bid isn't necessarily the best bid.

There are multiple process used to design and construct a renovation or remodeling project. Two main processes are Design Bid Build and Design-Build. Both processes have clearly defined roles, responsibilities, do, and don'ts.   In this part II episode, Dale Scriven, The Build It Coach highlights best practices for Design Build and identifies the core responsibility for each party to include the owner and the design build firm. Design build allows the owner to enjoy "one stop shopping" to include the opportunity to transfer risk to the design build firm as long as the owner understands the difference between prescriptive and performance requirements. Design build can save the owner thousands of dollars from change order, cost overruns and time delays. Furthermore finger pointing between the designer, contractor and owner can be avoided by creating a team approach with the proper collaboration. Listen to this episode.

Renovation and remodeling projects have multiple project delivery systems. Two main systems are Design Bid Build and Design-Build. Both systems have clearly defined roles, responsibilities, do, and don'ts.   In this episode, Dale Scriven, The Build It Coach highlights best practices for Design Bid Build and identifies the core responsibility for each party to include the owner, designer, and contractor. Common mistakes are identified when owners stray from the beaten path by allowing contractors to dictate design decisions. It is important for the owner, designer, and contractor to stay disciplined and provide the expertise they are responsible for and liable for during a renovation or remodeling project. Failure to maintain discipline could lead to project failure. Listen to this episode.

An unsafe job site is not only dangerous but potentially costly. The contractor has a responsibility to maintain a safe job site and so does the owner. This episode will continue to discuss the importance of maintaining a safe job site so that you don't experience a job rife with delays, injury, death, or costly lawsuits. As a property owner or house flipper, you should know that you have responsibilities to include: Make sure your contractor has Workmen's Compensation Insurance Verify that your remodeling contractor has a Safety Plan Enforce clear job site controls to prevent injury Document that Tool Box Safety Talks are being conducted Download the money saving guide on How to Hire A Great contractor. It's a free download at http://builditcoach.com/hire (http://builditcoach.com/hire) Listen to this episode.

An unsafe job site is not only dangerous but potentially costly. The contractor has a responsibility to maintain a safe job site and so does the owner. This episode will discuss the importance of maintaining a safe job site so that you don't experience a job rife with delays, injury, death, or costly lawsuits. There is one mantra that is repeated in this episode. "Don't Let A Contractor Use Your SH!%." You will hear stories on how an innocent gesture to help the contractor lead to an absolute disaster. Download the money saving guide on How to Hire A Great contractor. It's a free download at http://builditcoach.com/hire (http://builditcoach.com/hire) Listen to this episode.

Today you will hear from Jessica Saunders. Jessica owns an Human Resources company in Baltimore Metro Area. Being a busy professional, she has no time for DIY projects and thus relies on contractors to do the work. She had success with a small "part time contractor" however, things didn't always go according to plan. There were a few instances where the contractor's “real job” got in the way of performing timely and quality work. Jessica had a larger project she needed done in her home. She received a quote from the "part time" contractor however, she wasn't quite sure if he could handle the job. She felt squirmy. Her gut was talking to her. Jessica did her due diligence and contracted a "full time" contractor. The price was significantly higher. Was the extra cost worth it? Did she pay more for nothing? Here's a hint. This episodes inspired quote. “Quality is worth the extra nickel is costs.” Jeffrey Duarte We must always look beyond the empirical cost of what we purchase. Price and quality are always married .. Failure not to include quality in your decision could result in you thinking that an inexpensive Yugo provides the same value as a more expensive Cadillac. (I know this sounds absurd but people repeatedly make this mistake when it comes to choosing a contractor). We can always learn from those who have come before us. By learning from others, we can avoid mental despair and money loss by understanding, cheaper isn't always better. Listen to this episode!

In part II, Dale Scriven, PMP continues to highlight the important issue of insurance. Are you about to hire a contractor and allow them to perform work in your home without verifying if they have the necessary insurance? Doom and gloom could be lurking. There are must-have policies and policies that are recommended. Not having the necessary insurance can destroy and ruin your project.  Prevent your project from getting renovation insurance disease.  Topics covered: General Liability Insurance Builders Risk Insurance Workmen's Compensation Insurance Automobile Insurance

Are you about to hire a contractor and allow them to perform work in your home without verifying if they have the necessary insurance? In this episode we will discuss the important issue of insurance. There are must-have policies and policies that are recommended. Not having the necessary insurance can destroy and ruin your project.  Prevent your project from getting renovation insurance disease.  Topics covered: Builder's Risk Insurance Riders to your Home Owner's insurance policy Damage claims against the contractor Lender requirements for insurance Notifying your insurance agent

Chris Jackson received encouragement and inspiration from his father to buy a home. During the height of rising home prices and house flippers making a mint on buying and selling homes, Chris purchased his first house. Unfortunately, the house needed some work and required a renovation. On a teacher's salary, Chris jumped in with both feet and moved forward with realizing his dream and following his father/s advice. We will learn how Chris used raw guts and determination to finally finish what he started. Listen to this episode.

Makeba Gaines-Kelly is a designer in the Washington D.C. area. He will provide critical insight and advice around the issue of construction permits. Getting the necessary permits is not a big deal if you know the steps. If you fail to obtain a permit for your renovation, remodeling, or home improvement project, your project could be stopped, insure hefty fines, penalties, and jail time could be a reality. Listen to this episode.

In this Quick Tips episode, we introduce you to the important topic of Payment and Performance Bonds. Just because the contractor is "bonded" does not mean that your project has a bond. Understand the true positive and negative impacts a bond can have on your renovation or remodeling project. Listen to this episode.

Are you doing a Renovation, Rehabilitation, or Remodeling project? These are words are used interchangeably however, the difference between the three R's can be significant. You want to make sure that you communicate clearly as an Owner. Understanding and communicating your project scope and needs is critical staying on budget, performing on time, and not getting ripped off. Words have power. Listen to this episode.  

Watkins Pierre purchased a house in Long Island, New York.  The problem, he lived in Maryland which is 300 miles away.  He embarked on the adventure of financing and overseeing a long-distance renovation and remodeling project.  Watkins will share his trials, tribulations, and, the success of revamping a single-family home while living a few hundred miles away from his project.

This Quick Tips episode discusses the three Don't Do's when it comes to contracts. Handshake deals are discussed to include the dooms and glooms of the contractor's proposal. Having the right contract agreement is critical. Entering into a bad contract agreement can lead to disaster. Listen to this episode.

You will learn the fundamental foundation of any renovation, remodeling or home improvement project ever built. The Golden Triangle (Time, Cost & Scope) gives you the knowledge that allows you to negotiate a fair price when discussing project tasks including changes in the scope of work.  If you fail to speak to Architects, Engineers, Contractors in the Golden Triangle language, start writing checks and give those Golden Showers. Listen to this episode.

This episode introduces the Build It Coach Quick Tip Series. These short podcasts are designed to expose you to important construction-related topics while the longer extended discussion is developed while you embark on your renovation, remodeling or home improvement project. Listen to this episode.

In this interview episode of Build It Coach, Louis Fuqua reveals how he successfully renovated and remodeled a dated single-family home in Washington D.C. and transformed it into a modern paradise. Louis explains how he dealt with the difficulties of hiring and firing contractors and the details that surround modernizing a dated kitchen and bathroom. Listen to this episode.

This introductory episode explains the goals, insights and advice that the Build It Coach (Dale R. Scriven) will deliver on a weekly basis. The discussion will include a summary of how important it is to be a good property owner so that you can achieve your dream renovation, remodeling or home improvement project without being ripped off and experiencing a mental breakdown.  If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Make sure you don't put the "cart before the horse" when hiring a contractor. Listen to this episode.