If you have ever experienced the frustration of having an electrician arrive to install under the cabinet lighting in your kitchen before your newly installed ceramic tile floor is dry enough to be walked on, then this article is for you.
Whether you are contemplating renovating a single room or the entire house, homeowners always face the same problem – how do you find, hire and co-ordinate the comings and goings of the multiple tradespeople required to get the job done?
I met with Stephen Mayor of The Maintenance Co. to get some advice for ensuring that your next home repair or renovation project runs smoothly.
What Does a General Contractor Do?
A general contractor is responsible for overseeing and managing construction or home renovation projects from start to finish. They act as the primary point of contact between the homeowner and the workers, ensuring that all work is performed correctly, on time, and in compliance with safety regulations and building codes. They also provide the homeowner with updates on the project’s progress, address concerns, and communicate any necessary changes.
“In Bermuda at the moment we mostly have large construction companies and individual tradespeople who are very specialized such as plumbers or electricians,” says Mr. Mayor. “That’s fine if you want to under-take a large scale project like building a brand new house or just make one small repair, but the moment you try to fix two or three things at the same time it starts to get tricky.”
“We fill the gap with a one-stop-shop dedicated maintenance and handyman service that takes the guess work out of finding, hiring and scheduling all of the various people required to complete a small to medium sized home repair or upgrade.”
“We prepare a detailed cost estimate, including materials, labor, equipment, and other expenses. We also monitor the budget throughout the project which means you only have one bill to pay rather than having to deal with multiple vendors and payment schedules,” he said.
Managing diverse specialists independently can quickly become overwhelming, leading to missed deadlines, costly mistakes, and unnecessary stress.
As in the rest of the world, in Bermuda there is currently a shortage of properly trained tradespeople. Those with skills and experience are in high demand and often expensive or difficult to schedule for a small job.
“Because our company has forty years of experience in the building industry, we have long established relationships with a wide variety of specialist tradespeople – we literally know which particular plumber would be best suited for each individual job – and we take care of ensuing that they are on hand precisely when they are needed,” Mr. Mayor explained.
“In a typical home remodel, for example, you might need new wiring, plumbing, flooring, painting and air conditioning work to be done. We get hold of each trade and line them up in the right order, for the right amount of time,” he said.
“If you don’t do this correctly you can run into delays in completing the work, and delays are the number one reason that projects run over budget,” he explained.
Is it a Good Idea to Cut Corners by Doing Some of the Work Yourself?
Thanks to the wonders of YouTube, many homeowners might be tempted to think that they can do the demolition part of a renovation job themselves. But is this a wise idea if you are not an experienced handyman?
“Taking down a wall might seem as easy as swinging a sledgehammer but is the homeowner going to be prepared for what they find inside the wall?” Mr. Mayor asked. “In Bermuda you might suddenly find yourself looking at wiring issues, dampness, mould, or even termites and discover that the job was much more involved than you initially anticipated.”
What Should You Do If You Decide Go it Alone and Start Running into Problems?
“Ideally you would start by letting an expert who has comprehensive knowledge and is trained to consider all the possibilities provide a free quote so that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into before you start,” he said. “But if you have already embarked on some work and you are feeling truly overwhelmed it’s really never too late to bring in a general contractor to sort things out.”
What is Your Key Piece of Advice for Anyone Who is Planning Home Repairs or Renovations?
The key to delivering any home repair or renovation project on time and on budget is always going to be to start with proper project planning and project management.
“You really need to start by figuring out what you want to do and then make your plans based on what you can afford – otherwise you really do run the risk of getting midway through a project and discovering that you cannot afford to finish ,” advises Mr. Mayor.
“Even though it costs money at the front end, you can save yourself money (and a lot of headaches) in the long run by getting proper plans from an architect or a designer because then you have all of the correct specifications for the job,” he said.
Although tackling home repairs or renovations can seem like a daunting task, enlisting the help of a general contractor like The Maintenance Co., can simplify the process, ensuring their projects are completed on time and within budget. With their expert knowledge, established relationships with skilled tradespeople, and a commitment to seamless project management, a general contractor provides a one-stop solution to keeping your renovation journey smooth and stress-free so that you can focus on enjoying your home.
For further information visit www. maintenance.bm or call 543-5000.
