Home Add to Favorite Contact Submit  
             29 March, 2024
 

    
Category:  Articles » Home Management » Home Improvement

 

Home Improvement's 7 Deadly Sins

Popularity:
         Views: 2650
2009-07-28 07:44:49     
Article by Don Kennedy

After speaking and working with thousands of homeowners regarding home improvement projects, I've noticed a pattern of unhealthy behavior when approaching a home repair or remodeling project. Often times these homeowners have come to our company in search of rescue from a previous contractor or simply want to avoid repeating a bad experience from the past.

All good consumers and business owners want each party to act in good faith during any home improvement project. Unfortunately, however, home improvement is one of the top industries for fraud and consumer dissatisfaction. Why? While much of the blame is the fault of the home improvement industry, there are common mistakes I see homeowners commit that contribute to their own dissatisfaction. Avoiding these 7 mistakes can mean the difference between a delightful home improvement project and disastrous bad dream.

1.Falling In Love With the Salesperson: Since most homeowners aren't experts in home repair, they rely heavily on the likability and apparent credibility of the salesperson to define the competence of those performing the project. Client dissatisfaction is a certainty when the employees or subcontractors don't live up to the expectations the homeowner had of the salesperson. When you invite someone to your home for a home repair or remodeling project, make sure this individual is skilled at home improvement projects, not simply a commissioned salesperson whose interest is selling you more than you need.

2.Neglecting Your Family's Safety: Most homeowners would be appalled to learn of the felony record, drug convictions, sex offenses, domestic violence or financial irresponsibility of the common worker in the construction, trade and home services industry. While prior criminals have every right to work, they have no business in your home-where your family's safety and your property's security are at stake. Demand to see a company's employee screening and background check process to ensure your safety and comfort with those working in your home.

3.Hoping to Receive Excellence Without Paying For It: From toothpaste to gasoline, shopping for the cheapest price might not be a bad idea-for many consumer goods are truly non-differentiable commodities. In this case, quality or performance of the product isn't typically affected by price. Home improvement, however, can't be commoditized, since every home is a unique creation, every project is a custom solution, and every client holds a unique set of expectations. Instead of focusing on price, look for the greatest value. For most people I meet, value equates to uncompromising craftsmanship, timely service, backed with a solid guarantee, delivered by a company who cares about them and their home and has the integrity to operate their business with transparency. Be clear on what you value in a company and don't compromise your standards.

4.Asking the Wrong Questions: How long have you been in business? Where are you located? How many technicians do you have? These questions are all aimed at answering a homeowner's basic fear: namely, "Are you out to take advantage of me?" Unfortunately, they do not reveal the facts a homeowner needs to make an informed decision. Here is a list of better questions to ask and items to check. Any service company or contractor who doesn't welcome the "tough questions" is not worth your patronage.

5.Placing Faith in Bogus References: Would any contractor, ethical or not, intentionally provide you with references other than those who he or she thought would provide a glowing recommendation? Consequently, a homeowner will never get an objective reference on a contractor unless they know to ask for a list of trade references-parties that have no vested interest in telling you anything but the truth. Examples include commercial vendors, materials suppliers, banks, accounting and legal associates or third-party reporting agencies like the Better Business Bureau, Angie's List and Service Magic.

6.Ignoring Insurance Coverage: Companies should provide proof of both liability insurance and worker's compensation coverage to protect you from both property damage and injuries sustained by workers on the project. Homeowner's policies generally do not cover such claims and you, as the homeowner, may be held liable if the company you hire doesn't have such coverage. Legitimate companies are proud to show proof of coverage because it is extremely costly to them. Avoid any contractor who doesn't carry such coverage.

7.Allocating an Insufficient Budget: Savvy consumers never initiate a discussion about a home repair project with a price inquiry. Rather, they've researched what a project should roughly cost and remain focused on finding the company who will deliver that project within their expectations and budget. Instead of shopping for home improvement services by price, first spend some time finding a contractor who you can trust.

Then, share your budget with that trusted adviser so they can help you devise a plan to achieve your project goals within your financial constraints. In the end, if a project is done poorly or the experience in completing it was miserable, any cost savings by shopping for the cheapest price proves irrelevant.Don Kennedy is President of Handyman Matters of Cincinnati which is a locally owned and operated franchise of Handyman Matters and a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Their mission is to be a professional, hospitality-level service company leading the restoration of integrity, service and excellence in the home and commercial repair industry. Unique to the home repair industry, they arrive at your home or business at a specific time convenient for you, not a range of time convenient for us.

Don Kennedy is President of Handyman Matters of Cincinnati which is a locally owned and operated franchise of Handyman Matters and a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Their mission is to be a professional, hospitality-level service company leading the restoration of integrity, service and excellence in the home and commercial repair industry. Unique to the home repair industry, they arrive at your home or business at a specific time convenient for you, not a range of time convenient for us.

All the craftsmen are employees of Handyman Matters, not subcontractors. Each employee must pass a strict criminal background check and rigorous skill assessment to ensure their safety and competence. Unlike other contractors, Handyman Matters will do both the small jobs and large remodeling projects. To learn more, call (513) 724-0539.

Specialized in: Master Craftsmen - Duty - Home Repair - Home Remodeling - Handyman Expertise
URL: http://www.mastermylist.com
Print article      Bookmark this page
Related Articles 
Plumbing Considerations While Renovating Your Bathroom Based on the Current Trend (Popularity: ): As we kick off the New Year, it's time to think about what 2019 bathroom remodelling trends homeowners can take advantage of when planning for bathroom renovations. For 2019 renovation project, here we have listed the plumbing considerations to renovate your bathroom with the help of a professional plumber who also specializes in gas installations in Toowoomba QLD. So that you can rest assure, that there will not be any ...
Tips on How to Buy Barn Door Hardware in Toronto (Popularity: ): If you love shopping online, then our tips will help make your shopping experience more productive. There are a few things you should do when trying to purchase barn door hardware for example if you lived in Toronto then you would want to look for all of the organizations that are selling this hardware locally by doing a simple search like barn door hardware Toronto, this search will show you ...
Landscape lighting Magnolia, TX; The Glamor of Landscape Lighting (Popularity: ): Landscape lighting, particularly low voltage kind of landscape lighting can transform your yard into a fascinating mystical spot. Darkness ordinarily avails us the opportunity to make the most of our patios and our landscaping in peace and serenity. A good number of us essentially would prefer not to have the brighter lighting in the yard or greenery enclosure. We'd like to enjoy it in a low light setting that allows ...
Things to Check before Placing Commercial Furniture Orders (Popularity: ): Every business needs to invest in interiors, and keeping in mind that there are often bulk orders, the idea is to save as possible. In the last few years, many companies in and around Miami have emerged to be strong names for commercial furniture supplies. Starting from folding chairs, banquet tables to special range of furniture and equipment for events and special occasions, these suppliers deal with almost anything.If you ...
Sanitation Planning For Every Type of Event Or Project: Porta Potty (Popularity: ): The article describes the important things for planning an event and a project. Types of portable toilet trailers available in the market and how to choose the perfect model for an event or a project. Hire a right type and quantity porta potties ( a portable or movable toilet is called porta potty) to match the need at events and projects.The one thing that is common in both event and ...


Related Business 
7 Deadly Sims (Popularity: ): Provides skins, floors, walls, new and unique objects, and other add-ons based on the seven deadly sins.
John D. Cowan & Associates, Inc. (Popularity: ): Developer of Conasco Plastics, Polyvoid Systems, and Rubb as well as author of "The Seven Deadly Sins of Selling"
Home Improvement Portal (Popularity: ): Free, nationwide contractor matching service connecting consumers with pre-screened, qualified home improvement professionals for all home improvement needs.
Vander Laan Home Improvement (Popularity: ): VanderLaan Home Improvement is your home improvement specialist. As a family-owned business, we understand the importance of a safe, attractive, and functional residence. We offer a variety of professional services, which will transform your home into your dream house! We not only help homeowners, but we also inspire developers and roofing contractors in Grand Rapids, MI.
Commercial Interior Improvement (Popularity: ): If you consider to make the improvement of your home you can adress design company and we can help you to choose the one that fits all your needs. Home improvement news, redesign ideas, accessories for the decoration oyu can find in this category. Home design and decorating advices.
Sins O' The Flesh (Popularity: ): The official website of Sins O' The Flesh, one of the longest-running Rocky Horror Picture Show casts - over 15 years.
Quality First Home Improvement Inc. (Popularity: ): Quality First Home Improvement Inc.is a name that can be trusted to take care of all your exterior home improvement needs. Our installers are Factory Trained and Certified so you can be assured that your job is done right the first time! A Project Manager will be assigned to oversee every aspect of your job. This allows the home owner to deal with one person on a personal basis, eliminating ...
Home Improvement Tips (Popularity: ): A collection of unique DIY home improvement tips. Learn how you can improve your home, kitchen, garden, interior and outdoors with cheap and effective ways. The Next Fix is your one stop DIY home improvement guide where you will always learn innovative ideas.
Home Services and Improvement (Popularity: ): Get services contractors, ideas and latest tips for home improvement at Americas home services. Also find listings for buy and sell of properties. We provide best professional services in USA for Home improvement and Decor. Our service contractors are verified authentic partners so be assured for Quality.
Remodel Minneapolis (Popularity: ): OWNER-BUILT is known for our ability to streamline your home building or home improvement process so it can be comfortably manageable by you and so you can maximize your home-improvement investment. No one else does this better than us.