Q-My project is half completed. No one has shown up for a week to work. I called the contractor and I am getting the runaround. How could I have avoided this?
A-Your contractor could possibly have a valid excuse. However, he should tell you what his problem is without you having to ask. Most likely, he is experiencing a scheduling delay dealing with either labor and/or materials.
You can minimize delays on your project by requesting a schedule from your contractor at the beginning of your job. This schedule shows when each task will start and finish. It should also show when special order items must be ordered-important because that often is weeks in advance.
The schedule also is helpful to subcontractors. It allows them to adjust their schedules so that they can be at your job when needed.
High anxiety
Q-My wife and I are getting ready to start a large room addition project. We are both experiencing anxiety. Our contractor is as cool as a cucumber. Is this normal?
A-Generally speaking, yes. But, your feelings of anxiety are well-founded. The project you are facing is complex and will be very disruptive. You will have to make numerous decisions and sometimes not have much time to think about them. You will host strangers on a daily basis. Your normal daily routine will be disrupted. There possibly will be massive quantities of dust.
Your contractor, on the other hand, does this for a living and is accustomed to the difficulties. It is hoped he will deal with them in a way that will minimize the disruption to you. If you have selected a good contractor his “cool as a cucumber” attitude is probably a result of his confidence. If you are unsure, ask him pointed questions as to how he intends to deal with your concerns. Hopefully, his answers will relieve your anxiety.
Be a square
Q-I often hear my builder talk about the importance of things being “square.” When is something square and is there a simple way that I can tell?
A-Something is considered square when two intersecting lines on the same surface create a 90-degree angle.
It is vitally important for all aspects of your project to be square, especially the foundation. It is easier to install materials and fixtures when framing members and walls are square.
There is a very simple way to check if something is square, a method that has been in use for thousands of years. Starting at the intersection point of the two lines, measure down one line 3 feet and make a mark. Measure down the other line 4 feet and make a mark. Measure accurately in a straight line between your two marks. The distance between the two marks will be exactly 5 feet if the two lines are square.
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Have questions about the remodeling process? Write to Tim Carter, c/o The Chicago Tribune, P.O. Box 36352, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236-0352. Questions will be answered only in the column.
