High-End Trend?
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to let the furnace contractor in* without waiting for them to show up during their seemingly days-long "window"? Or, once they got there, if they could proceed directly to the utility room, without traipsing through your front hall (and past your messy Kitchen)?
The (very high-end) new home just being finished at the south end of Minneapolis' Lake Calhoun has that one solved: the utilities room has its own contractors' entrance. That's where the mechanicals, plus the "central nervous system" that runs this high-tech home, are located.
Like to see it (or partake of the view)?
You'd better know the owners (or perhaps, be a big sponsor of the major league sports team they own): the home isn't on the market.
*The rest of us will just have to rely on lockboxes, drop cloths, etc.
Showing posts with label Contractor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contractor. Show all posts
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Contractor Etiquette
Good vs. Not So Good Contractors
[Editor's Note: see "Giving Good Invoice" for an update to this post.]
In my various capacities as a Realtor, remodeler/rehabber, homeowner, and neighbor, I've witnessed a wide range of contractor etiquette.
At one extreme, there are contractors who show up late, leave early, and seem to spend the time in between listening to inappropriate --and very LOUD -- music. At best, their work (and prices) are so-so . . and they leave your home a mess.
At the other extreme, there are contractors who are consummate professionals from start to finish. They do excellent work at a fair price, start and finish the job on time, etc. After they're done, you'd never even know they were there, but for the completed project.
At least so far, you'd guess my neighbor's new contractor -- who I've independently heard good things about -- is in the latter camp.
I knew my neighbors were bumping out their Kitchen, because I'd shown them a few homes last Fall when they were in "buy or remodel" mode.
Still, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a "heads up" letter of introduction -- complete with ear plugs(!) -- from the contractor last week.
The letter, addressed to the immediate neighborhood, explained that the contractor's employees would be working on the block the next few months, and would do their best to minimize the disruption, debris, etc. If there were any issues or problems, we were invited to call the project manager.
It may just be smart PR with an ulterior motive (getting more business) . . . but it's pretty effective PR.
I'm sure my neighbor will let us know in a few months if the positive first impression was warranted.
[Editor's Note: see "Giving Good Invoice" for an update to this post.]
In my various capacities as a Realtor, remodeler/rehabber, homeowner, and neighbor, I've witnessed a wide range of contractor etiquette.
At one extreme, there are contractors who show up late, leave early, and seem to spend the time in between listening to inappropriate --and very LOUD -- music. At best, their work (and prices) are so-so . . and they leave your home a mess.
At the other extreme, there are contractors who are consummate professionals from start to finish. They do excellent work at a fair price, start and finish the job on time, etc. After they're done, you'd never even know they were there, but for the completed project.
At least so far, you'd guess my neighbor's new contractor -- who I've independently heard good things about -- is in the latter camp.
I knew my neighbors were bumping out their Kitchen, because I'd shown them a few homes last Fall when they were in "buy or remodel" mode.
Still, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a "heads up" letter of introduction -- complete with ear plugs(!) -- from the contractor last week.
The letter, addressed to the immediate neighborhood, explained that the contractor's employees would be working on the block the next few months, and would do their best to minimize the disruption, debris, etc. If there were any issues or problems, we were invited to call the project manager.
It may just be smart PR with an ulterior motive (getting more business) . . . but it's pretty effective PR.
I'm sure my neighbor will let us know in a few months if the positive first impression was warranted.
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