I have a little construction experience, is it wise to supervise & coordinate my own remodeling job?

Question

We have just bought a new house and before we move in, are going to completely remodel it. My husband is in construction and can check progress every night. We need someone to coordinate subcontractors and supervise...I work from home and know a little about construction....is it overly complicated to organize, make phone calls and do it myself?

Answer 1

Yes, I'd recommend it. But there is a fine line between co-ordination and bossyness, if you know what I mean. Get the people you need, instruct them on how you want the job done, and allow them to do their work. Get at least 3 estimates, and make sure that they are insured. And if you have a bad feeling about someone, go with your gut instinct and ask, "Would I feel comfortable with this person in my house?" If the answer is no, then get someone else. Ask questions where needed, and letting them know that there is presence of the owner shows them that you care about the work and they will reciprocate with a good job. People who hire out and make an appearance after the contractors are gone indicate a lack of interest in the process and some people respond accordingly by doing substandard work. I have had my entire house redone, and for the most part, I told the workers that if they need anything, to let me know, and I remained on site most of the time. I found with one contractor that the times that I had to leave site, that he tried to pull a fast one on me by altering the job to his benefit. That was the exception, not the rule; I find that the majority of them are good honest people, but always be mindful that there are people out there who live for pulling a fast one. And, frankly, if some guys see a woman overseeing a project, they assume that you are a dumb blonde, and treat you accordingly. Let them know from the get-go by your actions and professionalism that this is incorrect and that you are remaining on site due to your and your husband's expertise in the field, and they will know initially that you are not to be treated condescendingly, as some might do. And keep in mind that some guys might have a problem being "bossed" by a woman (though others like the idea), so if you keep in mind all these variables, and keep your distance when needed (no one likes to have someone watching their work all the time, which can be perceived as interfering by some), then your result should be a positive one. I always kept pop and bottled water on hand, and made a point to offer it at different times, and the workers always appreciated that, also resulting in a good job. If they are treated well, the work will be good. In short, I treat people the way that I would want to be treated, and 99% of the time, it shows in fine results. Good luck. Oh, and try to get a good pair of steel-toed work boots for those times that you'll be picking through a work site that at one point will look like a war zone. You'll be glad you did.

Answer 2

It is always good to know what is going on in your house, always take before and after pictures, don't ever settle for anything that you think looks wrong, for things that you want to know more about take time out and go to home depot and take a class, so you know the the construction guys know what they are doing, do your homework, there are plenty of how to videos you can watch, check your library. In the end you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your new home is the way that you want it to be. Congrats.

Answer 3

I work in the office for a general contractor... I absolutely would NOT attempt to handle/oversee my own construction. There are SOOO many details that can/will be forgotten the time and money you spend will be far more than it would cost to hire a general contractor to oversee your project for you. I would recommend you hire a professional to handle it for you......

Answer 4

if you have the time save yourself the money. it is always better to oversee something like that yourself then you know what is going on and they can't rip you off.

my grandmother didn't have a clue as to what to look for so she asked my dad to come and oversee and well it was a good thing cuz they tried to cut a lot of corners on her.

Answer 5

U CAN DO IT TO SAVE MONEY BUT IF U DONT DO IT ON A REGULAR BASES U WILL STILL LACK THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO GET THE RESULTS. FOOD ORGANIZTIONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS ARE PLUS. I RECOMMEND U SHOP AROUND TO TWO OR THREE REMODEL CONTRACTORS AND GET BIDS. CHECK REFERENCES.