Los Angeles Home Remodeling Without The Hassle.
Let Home Fixology Match Up the Best Local Home Remodeling Pros.
Los Angeles Remodeling Contractor To Help With Home Projects
Real estate is at a premium in the Los Angeles area so homeowners are always looking to improve the value of their home by adding to or remodeling it. Los Angeles also has a maze of building codes and restrictions. For these two reasons, homeowners often choose to use a professional – known as a general contractor – to help them with a home improvement project. Still, the homeowner may not know exactly what a general contractor – or GC as they are known in the construction industry – does.
In addition, finding a competent and reliable GC is not always an easy task. There many factors for the homeowner to consider before making a final decision. Here is a quick rundown on the most important questions to ask during the evaluation process:
What value does a remodeling contractor bring?
In the Greater Los Angeles area – from Santa Monica to the Inland Empire – residential and commercial contracting companies are routinely used to oversee a home or apartment remodeling project. The use of a GC greatly reduces the amount of time and energy that a project owner would need to spend to oversee the project. Instead, the GC will hire the subcontractors, deal with the vendors and coordinate all scheduling with both the private firms involved and the local building department.
Generally, the GC is given complete control over the day-to-day aspects of the construction project upon upon the finalization of the plans by the designer/architect and their approval by the homeowner. The owner will then only meet with the GC on an as needed basis or at specified times to check on the progress of the project. These specified times – known as milestones – are necessary for two reasons. The owner needs to inspect the work from am aesthetic point of view – the GC handles the practical details – before making payment on the next stage of the project.
The GC’s responsibilities also include a number of other specific duties. FTP instance, the GC will create a project timeline that specifies when the respective subcontractors should arrive on the job and finish their portion of it. In addition, the timeline will details when certain deliveries should be made. Finally, the timeline will also demarcate the milestones mentioned above and detail what payments need to be made.
Another equally important aspect of the GC’s role is to act as an intermediary between the homeowner and the subcontractors. This particular duty is actually far more important than it may seem at first. Meddling -we use the term advisedly – homeowners can wreak having on both the cost of a project and the completion date. It is much better for them to liaise with the GC and, in turn, let him deal with the subcontractors.
It is truly important for the homeowner to understand this last point as repeated interruptions will only delay the completion of their remodeling project and almost surely increase its cost. Whether the homeowner wants to make a change in the plans “on the fly” or wants to see a flaw corrected, it is much better for him to communicate their concerns to the GC directly and then let the professional do the job he is being paid for.
HOME ADDITIONS
- Top Companies in Los Angeles, CA.
- Room additions, bathrooms, bedrooms, etc.
DESIGN AND BUILD YOUR ADDITION
Whether you have your own plans and drawings or you need a full service project.
ADDITION PROJECTS
Free Written Estimates, Local Required Permits, Licensed Contractors
BATHROOM REMODELING
- Top Companies in Los Angeles, CA.
- Update small, large, half, master baths.
Update Your Bathroom
Whether you have small or large bathroom. Change of floor plan options.
BATHROOM PROJECTS
Free Written Estimates, Required Local Permits, Licensed Contractors
KITCHEN REMODELING
- Top Companies in Los Angeles, CA.
- Small, large, outdoor Kitchens.
Renovate Your Dream Kitchen
Whether you have small or large kitchen. Change of floor plan options.
KITCHEN PROJECTS
Free Written Estimates, Required Local Permits, Licensed Contractors
BUILDING GARAGE
- Top Companies in Los Angeles, CA.
- Attached additions, detached structures.
Building attached or standalone.
Build a new garage with or without plans and drawings.
BUILDING PROJECTS
Free Written Estimates, Required Local Permits, Licensed Contractors
FLOORING
Top Rated Pros in Los Angeles, CA.
Repair or Install New Flooring
Install flooring throughout the home, have a repairing or re-finishing project.
FLOORING PROJECTS
Free Written Estimates, Repair, Refinish, Install, Licensed Contractors
ROOFING
Top Rated Pros in Los Angeles, CA.
Roofing install or Replacement
Whether you need to completely replace, or you just need to repair or install.
ROOFING PROJECTS
Free Written Estimates, Repair, Refinish, Install, Licensed Contractors
FENCING
Top Rated Pros in Los Angeles, CA.
Install New, Repair or Replacement
Whether you need brand new fencing installed or looking to repair and replace.
FENCING PROJECTS
Free Written Estimates, Repair, Refinish, Install, Licensed Contractors
PAINTING
Top Rated Pros in Los Angeles, CA.
Interior or Exterior Painting
Whether you need to paint the whole house or have a specific interior painting goal.
PAINTING PROJECTS
Free Written Estimates, Repair, Refinish, Install, Licensed Contractors
Managing the Progress of Your Los Angeles General Contractor
How can I manage the GC progress?
It seems that every little enclave in Los Angeles County city has its own decided sense of style. From the “beachy,” Art Deco style of Santa Monica to the high-end extravagance of Beverly Hills, residents are interested in stamping their own imprint upon their home and its landscaping.
For this reason, homeowners will make the aesthetic decisions about a remodeling project while leaving the For mundane details of ordering, installing and finishing to the a professional general contractor. In particular, the homeowner will choose the colors, the materials and the appliances for a project as well as its layout. However, the GC will decide on the best – and most economical way – to bring the homeowner’s imagination into reality.
First, a budget will be established and submitted to the owner for review. Once approved, an initial down payment is made and the project is initiated. The GC will then order the necessary materials and find the appropriate subcontractors. Next, the GC will schedule the activities of the people involved in the project. This task includes ordering the materials needed for each portion of the job, coordinating the activities of the various subs and arranging for their ultimate payment. In total, it is not a small task but one that an experienced GC can do with fairly little trouble.
As each stage of the project nears completion, the GC will also coordinate the inspections required by the local building authorities. In general, the GC will inspect the work themselves to ensure that the everything is “up to code” and meets all safety regulations before bringing in the inspector.
Once that stage is accomplished and the project is essentially complete, the GC will then perform a final walkthrough with the homeowner. The owner now has the opportunity to point out any deficiencies he notices. The GC will fill out what is known as a “punch list.”
All of the issues described on this list will then be remedied to the homeowner’s satisfaction. One final walkthrough and payment is made. Most reputable GCs will also call back in two to three weeks to ensure complete customer satisfaction with the job.
Evaluating the Residential Contractor
Finding a reputable general contractor may seem to be a daunting task to the home or office building owner with little construction experience. Most folks will simply rely on the advice of their neighbors or relations – or look one up online and hope for the best. These are not really the best strategy.
Instead, by investing some time and effort into the evaluation process, the project owner can reap huge rewards in terms of both decreasing the final cost, shortening the project timeline and lessening any anxiety and aggravation they will experience during the process.
To start, a homeowner should check these resources before making even an initial final decision on which home contractor to use:
The local Chamber of Commerce
Better Business Bureau rating
State licensing
Insurance papers
Local – and we mean “local” like in your subdivision – references
The State of Missouri also enforces fairly stringent regulations for the licensing of general contractors. Be sure that the one you choose is in total compliance or may be sorry for a variety of reasons. The few phone calls it takes to verify a contractor’s government-approved credentials will give you peace of mind. In addition, a homeowner should also check several local references provided by the contractor.
This last task often involves more than just a phone call. If possible, ask the references if you can stop by and examine the work for yourself. It is easily the best way to gauge the quality of the workmanship delivered by the GC and his subcontractors. In short, finding a good general contractor takes work but is well worth the effort.
Compare Multiple Contractor Quotes Now.
