So, you’re looking forward to your next home improvement project. You can already picture yourself and your family using the new room addition, kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, new garage, and or finished basement. You’ve chosen a reputable general contractor that you can trust to get the job done on time and within budget. At this point we’re sure that you want to know how long various projects will take on average. Please keep in mind that the numbers can vary depending on specific situations. The following information is just a rough estimate.
The average room addition or new garage construction can take anywhere from 6 to 16 weeks to complete. The average kitchen remodel takes anywhere from 3 to 12 weeks to complete. The average bathroom remodel takes 3 plus weeks to complete, as does the average finished basement project. Your general contractor should provide you with a realistic schedule and updates to that schedule as needed. The construction schedule should include the start date, and the steps that are going to occur over the next few weeks.
For example, demolition begins on this date, and framing starts on this date. It all basically comes down to communication. Homeowners must understand that when they’re having any major work done on their property, they will be a bit disrupted for weeks if not a few months. Delays are common in the home improvement industry. This holds especially true for big projects such as room additions and kitchen renovations. There will be days when not a lot is happening.
The general contractor may be waiting for products to be delivered, sub-contractors to begin work, and or they’re waiting for inspections from the building inspector. If your contractor builds those delays into the schedule, you will be well aware of them. Last but certainly not least is the payment timetable. There are two (2) types of contractor payment schedules that most home improvement contractors use. They are the milestone schedule and the completion schedule.
With the milestone payment schedule you pay the contractor at prearranged times that are based on the completion of any major work. For example, if you were having your kitchen remodeled, a payment interval would be when the new cabinets are installed. Your general contractor will invoice you after each millstone is complete so they can cover labor, material, and other expenses. The completion payment schedule is more flexible. For example, if it’s a small home improvement project that only takes a few days, the contractor may take a full payment at the end of the job.
On the other hand, the contractor may require weekly payments for larger home improvement projects. They may even require a percentage upfront, half way through the job and final payment upon completion.
At DBC Solutions we require a 10% deposit for planning, scheduling, and designing your project. Once this phase is complete we require a 60% deposit to begin scheduling our subcontractors and ordering your materials. Next on small projects the balance will be due upon completion and on large projects we will create a project specific payment schedule for the remaining balance.
For more information about project lengths, schedules, and payment timetables for your home improvement project, or to schedule an initial consultation in Connecticut or Massachusetts please contact us today at 860-341-6373. DBC Solutions takes great pride in providing the highest quality custom carpentry and contracting services in the home improvement industry. Our business model has been the same for 17 years. Doing things the right way the first time every time is the only way to do it.