Three Matters You Ought to Avoid Being Persuaded by a Contractor Regarding
Renovating your home can be a taxing experience for many reasons. You've got the financial burden, the inconvenience of the mess and noise, along with feeling like you're at the mercy of someone who knows your house's ins and outs better than you do. This disparity in knowledge can make it easy for contractors to persuade you.
If your contractor tells you something is essential, necessary, or worth the extra expense, you might not always have the knowledge to challenge them. A dishonest contractor can use this to their advantage, instilling fear of potential issues or regrets down the line, and before you know it, your simple renovation has become a major project. Here are three things you should always resist when a contractor tries to convince you of them.
Upgrades
Budgeting for a renovation or repair isn't an exact science—you're usually advised to add an extra 10% or so to your budget as a safety net for the unexpected. And sometimes a contractor will have a valid reason to recommend you upgrade a part of your project to a more expensive option, such as pricey materials or advanced appliances. But often, it's just upselling, a tactic to boost their earnings, as they can charge more for the higher-end materials and installation.
What you need to focus on is whether your contractor is genuinely suggesting an improvement or if they're pressuring you into the change. The latter implies they have a hidden motive beyond giving advice, and if they become agitated at the idea of you doing research, you should absolutely nix the idea. There should also be a logical reason behind the suggestion, not just "it's better." If the contractor suggests replacing inexpensive ceramic tiles with expensive natural stone, can they explain why it will last longer or have a significant impact on the results? If they can't, avoid the upsell.
Shortcuts
When renovating your home, unexpected issues will arise—repairs that turn out to be more complex than anticipated, or problems discovered when walls and floors are opened up. A reputable contractor will tackle these problems head-on, keep you informed about any additional costs or time involved, and never compromise the quality and safety of the work.
If your contractor tries to convince you to take shortcuts, either to keep costs in check or to speed up a project that's running behind schedule, be cautious. This is especially true if they suggest something that could cause issues in the future—long after they've moved on. When I had my bathroom renovated a few years back, for instance, one contractor suggested we remove a water valve that controlled the hose spigot outside the house (the pipe ran through about twelve feet of wall to the outside). I realized this suggestion would make his job easier—but if the pipes ever burst, I'd have no way to isolate the water without shutting it off for the whole house, so I insisted he do it the harder way.
Pressure is the key—if your contractor insists skipping some part of the work is necessary to meet a deadline, push back. And be cautious if they claim skipping something is beneficial to you, because "not doing part of the project" rarely benefits you, but getting paid for not completing all the original work certainly benefits them.
Expansion
Finally, some contractors treat any opportunity to enter your home as a chance to inflate the project (and their expected income from the work). Expansion is when a contractor agrees to take on a project for you, then begins expanding its dimensions. A simple job to replace a tub and install a shower gradually becomes a complete bathroom overhaul. Replacing a few old windows turns into new windows throughout plus new doors.
The secret to managing your renovation is to have a clear plan before you begin—and then stick to it. If your contractor has a valid reason to push for a broader scope, they should be pushing for it at the beginning, before contracts are signed and deposits paid. Suddenly pushing for a more ambitious project in the middle of work is often a sales tactic that puts pressure on you to make a decision while your home is in disarray.
As mentioned before, sometimes expansion is necessary—if your contractor removes the bathtub and finds the floor completely rotted, expanding the scope to include a new subfloor is inevitable. But resist any expansions that don't have a clear, compelling reason behind them.
After experiencing the financial burden and inconvenience during home renovations, you might be hesitant to question your contractor's suggestions, especially when they mention upgrades. However, it's essential to evaluate if the suggested upgrade is truly beneficial or just an attempt at upselling to increase their earnings. Similarly, when unexpected issues arise, be wary of contractors who try to persuade you to take shortcuts, as these could potentially lead to more problems in the future.
