The Little Things That Add Up

by | Mar 22, 2011 | Remodeling Budget | 0 comments

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Window Treatments & Shades

As a professional remodeling contractor, I am spring loaded to listen carefully to my clients. In a recent conversation with a client, it occurred to us that the true TOTAL cost of a remodeling project is not always expressed in the design or Remodeling Agreement.

Budgets are tight and clients are looking to the contractor for guidance on budgets and what is and is not included in the agreement can make or break a pocketbook. I suppose the largest thing despite a fairly detailed DOW, are the other little things that are not addressed.

When the contractor is done and the keys are handed over to the client so to speak, there may be a myriad of “stupid little things” that still need to be done and paid for. Here are just a few of the bigger ticket items.

  • Landscaping
  • Sprinkler system 
  • Window treatments 
  • Appliances 

Sprinklers & Landscaping

Sure the home is done and all of the “Finish Line Action Item List” is complete but the small things can add up. I have no interest in  surprising my clients when they should be totally happy with bad news. As I see it, my job is to guide folks through the remodeling process as the expert.

Remodeling Tour Guide

It is in this role as tour guide that I am always adding items to my detailed DOW, so everyone gets to see that we at least addressed the issues before the decision to proceed is made. This is yet another reason to have an experienced professional remodeler handle your project. Having an extremely detailed Description of Work (done during the Design Phase) prior to getting bids on the project will help to avoid this conundrum. Our goal is that our clients are pleasantly surprised and satisfied in the end.


Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, click here to email me directly, or call 208-947-7261

If you or someone you know is considering remodeling or just wants to speak to a trustworthy remodeling contractor please contact me, you’ll be glad you did.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Related Posts

Have Your Tile Guys Gone Rogue? How do you know?

I just heard that there is a movement afoot that frightened me. I guess that tile guys are figuring out that they are not being watched so they are doing whatever they want. A nicer way of saying it is what they believe is the most profitable for themselves....

read more

Why Did You Hire Levco

The results are in, we have been asking this for years and we have been collecting data that I thought we should share some of it with you. You had the most enthusiasm for the project Your ideas seem to dovetail with ours You have a process that makes sense You always...

read more

Leave A Comment

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

Latest Projects

Aged home interior makeover

Aged home interior makeover

Aged home interior makeoverThe Challenge This home was built in 1955 it had good bones. The kitchen had been remodeled by a previous owner and half of the garage had been converted into a den/laundry room. The clients wanted to open up the kitchen, add another...

Whole House Remodel

Whole House Remodel

Whole House RemodelThe Challenge Our client bought the 1014 SF original 1979 ranch-style home next to her son. Her goal was to update and modernize the home to how we live today.The Idea To completely remodel and update the home with a new floorplan.The Solution Levco...

Wake Boat- RV Bay Addition

Wake Boat- RV Bay Addition

Wake Boat- RV Bay AdditionThe Challenge The Owner had a 3 car garage but the 3rd car bay was too small for his new wake boat. There was room to make it larger.The Idea Expand the garage to the setback to add 10′ and make it taller and much deeper. Sacrificing a window...

Large RV Garage From Scratch

Large RV Garage From Scratch

Large RV Garage From ScratchThe Challenge The Owner had drawings of a large RV garage to be added to a 2 car garage where a shed was. The new project was woven into an existing garage roofline to make it appear that it had always been there.The Idea Eliminate the shed...