A Note From Barry- Choose a Problem-Solver over a Good Scheduler
Thanks to everyone who came out to see us at the Southern Ideal Home Show. We had a great time learning about your plans for your home, and hopefully we were able to give you some helpful advice and guidance. The show also gives us a chance to talk with other companies in our industry. We noticed many new faces in the remodeling category, most of them former new home builders forced to venture into remodeling. In our conversations with several, it became obvious that they were finding out how different remodeling is from new construction. Home Builders are in trouble in the Triange and all over the Country, and they're coming to your neighborhood to add on sunrooms, remodel basements, kitchens and bathrooms, and all the other home renovations that homeowners need. Let's take a moement to consider why choosing a new home builder for your remolding project, is not the wisest thing to do.
Most home builders are very good at what they do. We've all driven by new homes being built, and the dust is flying, and the builder’s subcontractors are working hard at their various trades. However, new home building and remodeling vary greatly in the required skill sets and levels needed to address the evolving nature of remodeling and the most important consideration, the family that must live in the middle of a construction site. Home builders will use subcontractors that are not used to coming in and out of existing homes, where people are living. They also aren’t accustomed to working with homeowners and being respectful of their homes, family and schedule.
Remodeling requires a great deal of “hand holding” and communication in order to make the experience as pleasant as possible for the homeowner. Remodelers have to be much more careful when hiring subcontractors. They really do have to check them out and many, like Corbett Design Build, require their subs to sign an agreement defining how they are to conduct themselves on the job. We have a selected group of trusted contractors that are committed to our standard of excellence in customer service and in keeping your home clean and safe for your family.
A new home builder’s project managers need to be good schedulers, but a remodeler needs project managers that are great schedulers and problem solvers. Remodelers are skilled at taking your house apart, and putting it back together again. Good remodelers are creative problem-solvers and are used to dealing with unforeseen existing problems that come up when the walls come down. The evolving process of remodeling requires on the job decision-making where new home builders stick only to the plans.
Remodeling takes a lot of prior planning to address issues like matching floor heights, windows and siding, for example, and insuring that a new addition integrates well with the existing home and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.
Home building and remodeling are two very different businesses! Don't find out the hard way. I respect all of the new home builders who are looking for ways to stay in business by offering remodeling services, but you don't want to be a part of their learning curve as they adapt to working in existing homes.
