We’ve talked about how to choose a reputable and trustworthy contractor as well as working with preferred certified contractors on insurance claims. But let’s talk about what you can expect after you have picked your contractor and are working with them from beginning to end.

During the Estimate Process

• Should I expect a written estimate at the initial meeting with the contractor? Most renovations require a lengthy formal proposal, which requires research, drafting, and management approval. If the renovation that is being sought is easily drafted then a written estimate may be issued at the time of the initial meeting.
• What are typical lead times for projects? It varies by contractor, time of year, and if any major event has happened in the area. At S&A Construction, projects can typically commence within 3-4 weeks of contract signing. Smaller projects may have shorter lead times, and larger projects having longer lead times. If you have project timelines or immediate needs, you will want to discuss these needs with your estimator.
• What is a typical timeline for project duration? Obviously this varies depending on the type of project. But estimated timelines, if not included in your estimate should be discussed in detail with your estimator.
• Is it possible for me (the customer) to perform any of the work?  This can depend on the customer and the contractor. At S&A Construction, we request a clear and definite place to end work before customer work may begin. Typical work performed by the customer is painting for interior and exterior jobs.
• What forms of payment or finance are offered? Typically this is cash, money order, certified funds, personal check, bank financing, government program financing, government grants, agency grants, etc. With credit cards however, do expect to pay an additional fee (typically ~3% of the amount charged). All payment terms should be included within your estimate. Most contractors require a nonrefundable non-earnest money deposit at the time of signing.

During The Project

• What are typical working hours after project has commenced? Most professional contractors will work between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Some aspects of your project may not allow for full days and others may require completion during certain workdays, which will mandate working after the typical 5:00 p.m. ending time.
• Do I need to be home during the renovation project? This varies by contractor and if they use sub-contractors or not. At S&A Construction for example, we employ competent professionals to perform the majority of our renovation work. Every staff member has been through a background check prior to employment. The majority of our customers allow S&A Construction to perform renovation work at their homes without being present. Some projects may require your presence on-site due to project decisions required to be made.
• Will my home be protected during my project? The answer to this should always be “yes” from your contractor. Their goal should be to protect the workspace by employing protection and masking of walls, flooring, furniture, containment of the work space area, and placing tarps on exterior grounds. All project areas should be cleaned to a satisfactory condition whether interior or exterior prior to completion. You can always expect some construction debris on interior projects, but no more than light dusting.

After the Project

• Do I need a lien release upon completion? Lien releases are generally provided upon request only and isn’t something that is typically needed. If final payment has been made, a conditional lien release may be issued which is contingent on final payment being issued directly to the contractor from your bank.
• Are services guaranteed and is a warranty offered? This can vary by the type of project but for a good professional contractor the answer should always be “yes”.Be sure to ask them how the process works and how to contact them should something come up after they are done.

Need More Information? Consider Contacting a Trusted Local Contractor.

We hope the above helped you become more informed about residential contractors. If you are in the Wichita, KS area and in need of a contractor or just looking for more information, please consider S&A Construction of Wichita KS. Give us a call or e-mail any time.

And as always, let us know if you have any questions, other ideas, or comments!