We’ve all heard the horror stories of unqualified contractors. Perhaps you’ve even experienced it yourself. Whether the result is poor craftsmanship, budget overruns, or a project that lasts months longer than expected, nobody wants to end up with a contractor who lacks the skills or experience to do the job well.
At Lamont Bros. Design & Construction, we’ve worked with Portland homeowners who have been through this exact nightmare. Many times, we’ve been hired to take over home renovation projects that were started by unqualified contractors who caused catastrophic problems to the home. Having seen firsthand how this type of situation affects homeowners’ everyday lives, we want to help as many people as possible avoid making the same mistake.
In this article, we will walk you through a real-life case study of a basement remodel gone wrong. You can read about the nightmare scenario these homeowners endured due to hiring a contractor who wasn’t a good fit for the job. We’ll discuss how to avoid similar pitfalls and provide best practices for hiring a qualified contractor. Here’s everything you can expect to read about:
- A Vancouver Homeowner’s Nightmare Basement Remodel
- How to Avoid Hiring an Unqualified Contractor
- What to Do if Your Home Remodel Goes Off Track
A Basement Remodel Gone Wrong
When these homeowners in Vancouver, WA decided to convert an unfinished basement in their 1942 home, they thought they had won the contractor lottery.
The basement had been primarily used for storage and housed the furnace, washer and dryer. Their goal was to make the space accessible from the main level and ensure all renovations met code requirements for legal living space.
When a contractor promised to deliver on all of their basement desires for a reasonable price of about $75,000, they couldn’t have been more pleased. As part of the agreement, the owners specifically requested that the contractor file all the necessary permits to ensure that everything was well-documented and safe for their growing family.
Contractor Selection and Initial Agreement
Unfortunately, the homeowner signed their construction agreement without thoroughly verifying the contractor’s qualifications. This decision set the stage for a series of problems that would plague the project and drag the process out over a year.
Lack of Permits and Inspections
Despite the homeowners’ request to keep the project above board, the contractor began work on the basement without obtaining all the necessary permits. It wasn’t until a city inspection for the contractor’s application for an electrical permit that the homeowners became aware of multiple code violations.
Poor Workmanship and Delays
As the project progressed further, it became even more evident that the contractor lacked the expertise and process knowledge needed to complete the basement project. There were several serious code compliance issues with insulation, framing, and stairwell construction. The contractor’s poor workmanship led to extensive delays, as city inspectors continuously found
Escalation and Termination
Frustrated by the lack of progress and mounting issues, the homeowners had no choice but to fire the contractor. The contractor’s failure to meet code requirements and complete the work as agreed resulted in significant financial losses and emotional turmoil for the homeowners.
Finding a Qualified Contractor
Once the owners decided to terminate their contract with the unqualified contractor, they reached out us at Lamont Bros. Design & Construction to salvage their basement remodel.
While our team was able to rescue the project and provide the homeowners with the living space they needed, it wasn’t easy or cheap. Much of the work completed by the previous contractor needed to be redone. This included most of the interior framing, drywall, and the entire staircase.
In the end, it cost the homeowners an additional $40,000 extra to complete the project from where the previous contractor had left off.
How to Avoid Hiring an Unqualified Contractor
If you want to avoid a nightmare scenario during your next home improvement project, the best favor you can do for yourself is to hire the right contractor the first time. To prevent falling into the trap of hiring an unqualified contractor, there are several steps you can take.
Inspect What You Expect
The first step in avoiding an unqualified contractor is to consider what you want the project to look like and how you want it done. This means clearly defining your expectations for quality, timeline, and cost. Most homeowners pay more attention to the cost factor than anything else, but it’s important to recognize that cost is only a portion of what is important in a remodel. The contractor you hire must have the necessary credentials and a proven track record with projects similar to yours.
Consider the Contractor’s Drawings & Design Plans
A good contractor should provide detailed design drawings and plans that clearly communicate the scope of the project to everyone involved, including the homeowner, the construction team, city officials, and inspectors.
For our clients in Vancouver, the lack of proper design documents led to numerous code violations and project delays. The initial contractor’s poor-quality drawings, which were literally sketched in pencil, failed to provide the necessary details and caused significant issues.
Review the Details of the Contract
Understanding the contract you’re signing is crucial. There are typically two types of contracts: fixed-price and cost-plus.
- Fixed Price: With a fixed-price contract, you know exactly what the project will cost from the outset. This type of contract helps avoid unexpected costs and keeps the project within budget.
- Cost Plus: A cost-plus contract, on the other hand, means you don’t know the total cost of the project upfront. This type can easily balloon out of control as you are responsible for covering all costs plus a percentage fee to the contractor.
In the case study, the lack of a well-defined contract contributed to the project’s prolonged timeline and increased costs. The homeowners were caught off guard by unexpected expenses and delays, highlighting the importance of a clear and fixed contract.
Thoroughly Research the Contractor’s Reputation
A contractor’s reputation can provide valuable insights into their reliability and quality of work. Look for patterns of great experiences and avoid contractors with patterns of unaddressed problems.
- Positive Patterns: Seek out contractors who have numerous positive reviews and satisfied customers. This indicates consistency in delivering quality work and meeting client expectations.
- Negative Patterns: Be cautious of contractors who have recurring issues in their reviews, such as poor communication, missed deadlines, or subpar workmanship. These red flags can be indicative of the problems you might face if you hire them.
The homeowners in our case study openly recognized that they did not thoroughly check references for their first contractor. Although they checked licenses and online reviews, they missed the step of speaking directly with past clients, which could have provided a clearer picture of the contractor’s reliability.
What to Do If Your Project Goes Off Track
Hiring the right contractor is all well and good, but what if you find yourself in the same position as our clients and need a way out? If you find yourself wondering if your contractor may be unqualified for the job, here’s how to address the issues effectively.
Assess the Situation
The first step in getting your project back on track is to assess the current situation. In plain terms, this is the time to ask, “How bad is it?”
Identify Code Violations and Quality Issues
If your project is already off track, bring in an inspector to assess the work so far. Identifying code violations and quality issues early can help mitigate future problems.
In our case study, the city inspection revealed multiple code violations, including improper insulation and framing issues, which had to be addressed immediately.
Communicate with Your Contractor
Next, have a candid discussion with your contractor about the issues and possible solutions. Clear and honest communication can sometimes resolve problems before they escalate. It may be that communicating your needs more clearly can give your contractor the information they need to complete the project to your satisfaction.
However, in the situation described above, the lack of effective communication from the contractor combined with his limited experience exacerbated the issues, eventually leading to his dismissal.
Legal and Financial Recourse
If the situation cannot be resolved through direct communication, you may need to consider legal and financial recourse.
Document Everything
Keep a detailed record of all communications, payments, and issues. This documentation can be crucial if legal action becomes necessary. The homeowners in this story kept detailed records, which were vital when they had to make a demand letter for a refund due to the contractor’s subpar work and code violations.
Seek Professional Help
Consult with other contractors and if necessary, a legal professional if your contractor is uncooperative or if the project involves significant financial losses.
Professional legal advice can help you understand your options and protect your interests. Such was the case with the clients in this case study. After paying the contractor over $75,000, they were able to recover about $40,000 of their money spent.
Moving Forward
Just because you encounter some hardship along the way doesn’t mean your renovation has to end in tragedy. Once you have addressed the immediate issues, it’s time to move forward and complete your project successfully.
Research thoroughly and hire a reputable contractor to rectify the work and complete the project. A qualified contractor will ensure that the renovation meets all codes and standards, protecting your investment and your home.
In the case of our client’s basement, our team was able to step in and work with the homeowners to solve the issues created by their previous contractor. Although we ultimately had to redo most of the work he had completed, the owners were very pleased with their new living space in the end. Now, they look forward to growing their family in a home that has room for more.
Want to Know More About Choosing a Great Contractor?
Now that you’ve read through this case study on what can happen when you hire an unqualified contractor, do you feel more confident in what to look for when hiring someone for your next remodel? As you continue your research, take a few minutes to download a helpful, free resource: Our 3-Step Guide to Choosing a Contractor. In it, you’ll find a wealth of information from industry experts on how to find and hire the best contractor for your next renovation.
Think it’s time to chat with a design professional about your remodeling dreams? If so, click the button below to schedule a free design consultation with a member of our team. We’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you plan and navigate the ins and outs of remodeling.