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How to Ensure Smooth Execution When Working With a Contractor
Working with your contractor does not have to be stressful. Find out what you can do
Although the renovation of the interiors of your home is an exciting process, factors like delay in the execution, substandard workmanship and unexpected changes in the budget can make it stressful, especially if you are working directly with a contractor. However, an organised approach can make the entire experience more pleasant. Here are some essential steps which you can take to ensure a good workflow when working with a contractor.
3. Settle the item-wise rates
Once you have selected the contractor, approve the rates of different items of work in the first round and arrive at a quote that is acceptable to both parties.
There are two ways to work with the contractor.
Once you have selected the contractor, approve the rates of different items of work in the first round and arrive at a quote that is acceptable to both parties.
There are two ways to work with the contractor.
- The first method is to give the whole contract to the contractor, which includes labour costs as well as costs of materials (plywood, wires, sanitary fixtures, gypsum and so on). In this arrangement, it will be the contractor’s responsibility to purchase all the raw materials, co-ordinate and appoint different agencies such as carpenters, electricians, painters and plumbers for working on the renovation of your home.
- The second way is work with the contractor on the basis of labour rates, where all the raw materials are purchased by the homeowner. Although this method may turn out to be comparatively cheaper, it will require a lot of your personal time and energy as workers may require raw materials at odd times of the day.
4. Ask for a BOQ and comprehensive budget
After the item-wise rates are finalised, hand over the interior detail drawings (if any), share images of the proposed designs or ask the contractor to take physical measurements on site. This will help the contractor to assess the quantity of work and get back to you with a realistic budget in the second round.
After the item-wise rates are finalised, hand over the interior detail drawings (if any), share images of the proposed designs or ask the contractor to take physical measurements on site. This will help the contractor to assess the quantity of work and get back to you with a realistic budget in the second round.
- Ask the contractor to create a detailed BOQ (bill of quantity) of the scope of work and multiply it with the item-wise rates to create a comprehensive budget. This will help you to analyse the budget and keep a check on the overall cost of the project.
- Calculate for a budget that is increased by 10–15 per cent for contingencies and additional expenses that may crop up at site, especially if the property is old.
5. Create a time schedule
- Fix a time duration and a work schedule with the contractor so that he can complete the job within the stipulated time.
- If you are working on labour rates, make sure that you buy all the raw material on time. This will prevent delays in the project.
6. Work out the payment schedule
- After the time schedule is fixed by the contractor, create a payment schedule. You need to make timely payments to the contractor to ensure smooth execution at site.
- You can divide the payment into the number of weeks required to complete the job and pay week-wise.
- Alternately you can follow a target-oriented method to pay the contractor. In this process part-payments are released after procurement of raw material and on stage-wise completion of jobs.
- If the project is big then you will need to make a work contract before commencement of the work. You can hold 5 per cent of the amount till the contractor resolves all the minor issues at site. For a small project you should pay the contractor on completion of the job.
7. Supervise and follow up
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- Visit the site regularly and follow up with the contractor to know about the progress of work. This will help you avoid delays and get the renovation completed within the proposed time frame.
- Inspect all the raw materials that enter the site and do not settle for low-grade materials, whether they are purchased by you or your contractor.
- Check the finish when the work is in progress and do not accept any poor-quality workmanship.
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What problems did you face while working directly with your contractor? Share in Comments below.
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- Decide upon the materials and their respective brands so as to avoid any confusion during the execution work. This will also help the contractor to quote accurately and help you to finalise your budget.
Tip: Do not deviate from the finalised design as constant changes will cause delays, an increase in labour costs and wastage of materials. It may also cause unnecessary disagreements with the contractor.2. Select the contractor
- Appoint a contractor with whom you have worked before or who has worked with someone known to you. Make sure that the contractor has a good reputation in terms of good workmanship, reasonable rates and on-time delivery of the project. Or you can find a reliable professional near you from the Houzz directory.
- Make sure that the contractor can read, understand and execute the drawings and designs from your references.
Tip: It is advisable to take a quote from at least two or three contractors to get an idea of the budget. Do not go with a contractor who quotes too low, as there maybe flaws in his quality of work. In the long run, you may land up spending more money to rectify those flaws.Find a designer to help renovate your home