In a faith-based home improvement like a roofing project, it is crucial to trust your contractor. Otherwise, you might get into a dispute that can worsen the experience of living through the messy and noisy construction.
The Beehive State has set forth licensing requirements to distinguish reliable roofers in Utah County communities, such as Provo, Orem, Salem, Spanish Fork, and Lehi. However, hiring a credentialed contractor does not guarantee a frictionless homeowner-roofer relationship.
To play your role in minimizing the problems that can arise during the project, below are the things you can do.
Leave No Room for Allowances
Money is the root of many arguments between homeowners and contractors. One way to ensure that your final bill is not too far from your estimation is not to allow the quote to have a single placeholder.
In other words, make sure you determine the specific product you wish to buy. Some components are less exciting than others, but deciding on what will be used in the project at the outset matters. If you let your roofer pick products on your behalf, you might end up spending more than you expect.
Craft a Clear Change Order Procedure
A change order is when extra work is necessary to address an unforeseen problem in the middle of construction. More often than not, you can’t skip a surprise issue, especially when it is structural.
The additional work can ruin your budget and delay the completion date of the project severely. Before a change order can be executed, both parties must discuss it to make sure everyone is on the same page.
The contract should spell out what could justify a change order and how it should be done. Make sure you understand how the process works, so you can help your roofer do what needs to be done ASAP.
Pay on Installment
In home improvement, staggered payment is the norm. You should pay your roofer in stages to protect your best interest and ensure the crew stays motivated to do their best to achieve every project milestone.
Many homeowners get scammed by agreeing to pay a large percentage of the bill upfront. If you release more funds than you should early on, your contractor might not work as hard or as fast as expected. It is a recipe for customer dissatisfaction.
Review the Contract
Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure what was promised to you is in writing. Verbal agreements are meaningless, and you can only hold your contractor accountable for the responsibilities the contract says.
Record Discussions
During meetings with your contractor, do not rely on your memory alone. Keep a journal where you can jot down your discussions both parties can revisit if need be. Apart from preventing miscommunication, it can serve as evidence in the event you get into a dispute with your roofer.
Nothing can prevent misunderstandings in home improvement with absolute certainty. But if you control the factors that can eliminate confusion between both parties, you can survive your roofing project without making an enemy of your contractor.
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