A patio renovation can enhance the beauty and function of your home; so it’s also supposed to carry with it a lot of hope and expectation of good things.
However, good thoughts about a improving your patio are not enough to make it a success; and most of the people who end up regretting the project may have gone wrong in one or a combination of the following points:
- Poor communication
You can get the best contractor in the industry, but if you do not clearly communicate what you want, you will not get the outcome you want. Therefore, ensure that your contractor clearly understands your vision of a new and improved patio.
- Money problems
Money is arguably one of the biggest hurdles that a patio improvement project can face, and it comes in various forms. Here are some don’ts to guide you:
- Don’t let the contractor think that you cannot afford to pay for your project
- Don’t give your contractor the whole amount before the work is done.
- Don’t start a project without having a clear financial plan to pay for all the work done.
- Don’t set a rigid budget; prices change frequently.
- Changing your mind halfway through the project
It is great to be part of your patio project and to share your concerns with the contractor whenever possible. However, avoid changing important or major details of the project when it is already underway.
- Expecting perfection
Getting a professional to deal with your project is an important step towards ensuring an almost perfect job. But, remember to leave room for slight imperfections; or you will have a hard time, asking the contractor to keep redoing certain details of the job.
That being said, the outcome should not be far from what you agreed on, especially if it is not a complicated design.
- Getting an inexperienced contractor
You can have the biggest budget, the best ideas, top-of-the-line materials, and ample time to see the project through, but if you settle for an inexperienced or unqualified contractor, then you are in for a major disappointment.
You should vet your contractor thoroughly by talking to his or her previous clients as well as to his or her suppliers and subcontractors.
- The nature of the contract
Most of the people who sign a contract that does not have a fixed budget end up spending too much money in the end, and most contractors know this.
If you do not push for a fixed and justifiable price, get ready to pay more than you really ought to. Furthermore, the contract must reflect the responsibility of the contractor in case the project does not meet your expectations, as well as if the project does not last for a reasonable period.
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