How to Work with a Contractor | Ask This Old House

[@weekendwarrior3420]

"Do the research" - a great advice. Once you do, you often find you can do it yourself.

[@Nathan-hl3bp]

Wish this had been a half-hour episode

[@rotu_maverick]

This video, as expected is extremely helpful. As a construction manager for Public Schools remodeling, biggest challenge is managing owner expectations. Weather delays, material delays, and how small changes delay can impact project schedules significantly. I plan to save this video to share with my clients. Thank you, TOH!

[@petervachon6989]

Never pay in cash and always check references. For payments, typically the 10,30,30,30 percentage installments are recommended so you will always have recourse if problems arise and make sure to get permits for structural, electric, plumbing, hvac, roofing, demolition, and building. Make sure contractors are properly licensed and insured against injuries or you could be liable.

[@petervachon6989]

As a Canadian fan of Ask This Old House, I’ve had my experiences with contractors for home renovations that were good. There are some shady contractors that do shoddy work and a few instances where they got charged for fraud by law enforcement due to complaints from their victims and were taken to court and the court was in favour of the victims because of proof of improper and illegal work performed and not part of the contract. Also, for a scary perspective for a home restoration nightmare, there was a family that unknowingly rented their house out to a group of drug dealers that ran a marijuana grow house where the whole house was affected by mould, structural issues, plumbing issues, illegal tampering with hydro that could have costed the home owner an insane amount as a fine >$50,000 Canadian. The Holmes group with contractor Mike Holmes came and restored the house. Unbelievable the amount of damage done by the drug dealers and what was involved to repair from structural to electrical to mould abatement by a professional service, etc as practically every surface was contaminated.

[@bsouza1675]

I watched a Tommy vid to install a door with jam. I bought a fiberglass door and jam. I installed it correctly and it irks great! Thank you Tommy. Bill Souza..CE, PE, PMP

[@topsecretbear9918]

Plenty of contractors rip people off & laugh about it too.

[@gerardcomeau2160]

Bottom Secret Frog T-4-2Party-Original-Pepe🐸

[@nightfangs2910]

Yep, I had an elderly woman I did landscaping for she hired a "contractor" for complete redo of her kitchen, he gutted the kitchen and disappeared, she made the fatal mistake of paying for the whole job upfront, he told her he couldn't do the job any other way took her for 9k ( small kitchen )

[@user-ne9wp8ve5u]

I am a contractor and I completely agree with these guys. The lowest price isn’t always the best because of the change orders. You really have to shop around and obviously word of mouth. Some customers prices are unrealistic and it’s ridiculous. You can’t remodel a bathroom with $5000 unless you do it yourself.

[@scotttovey]

Even then, that's if you don't screw something up and make it worse than when you started. Unless one has done it before, it's always best to start with the small stuff as a DIYer.

[@johnkelly9451]

Yes, there's always a can (or multiple cans) of worms in every remodel that make the $5000.00 remodel almost double due to other upgrades. Whether you do it yourself or hire someone. Problem is finding the right skilled person to hire.

[@DaruDhillon]

Always a good idea for homeowners to make sure the contractor is licensed, insured and check their work out first. BTW we aren't all guys! :)

[@charliebell5073]

Two questions regarding estimates and final bills. Should estimates typically include a breakdown between materials and labor? At the end of the job, is it reasonable to expect a bill or receipt showing the cost of materials? (For what it's worth, this is for walkways and stone work.)

[@larrymoore6640]

The gang brought up a lot of good points. The one I like the best was Tom's about pick an alternative pattern or material in case the first choice is out of stock or limited.

[@nightfangs2910]

Always use a very common color and buy from a company that has a great rep. and has been around for a long time, white for all your toilet fixtures, 25 years from now you will still have white fixtures, buy a particular color good luck finding that specific color 25 years later when you need to replace tub or toilet

[@larrymoore6640]

@@nightfangs2910 I totally agree. We remodel rent and flip houses and will use white fixtures in all bathrooms. I just hate it when we have to put a nice tub because of the original color. We tried epoxy coating but the main drawback is cleaning procedures.

[@nightfangs2910]

@@larrymoore6640 for my own home, white American standard tub and toilet, the ultimate neutral color same thing for the tile tub surround, that way no need to buy that extra 10 percent of tilesjust in case. I tell anyone if they go with a very specific color always buy an extra 10 percent of the tile or anything else to keep on hand just in case

[@joeburtont6]

Thank you this is fantastic! I will be sending this to homeowners.

[@cjbfire95]

Thank you, I'll definitely keep these tips in mind while going through this process.

[@Supep007]

Im glad you guys mentioned load on the beam for installation of a new door. Planning on a new barn style door, it wud be bad if I didn’t ask the contractor about this. Thanks guys.

[@stevenhill3136]

Look for quality of work done in your area. Simply ask neighbors what company they recommend (or don't recommend). Quality is easy to spot.

[@yoefh001]

The title of this video is sadly very misleading. The panel, in the role of contractors, is more interested in trying to explain away sub-par practices contractors generally follow. A more appropriate title would have been "beware of contractors' dishonest practices."

[@stevewilliams7852]

The opening bid is the "blue sky bid", with cost plus for unknown delays or changes.

[@davide82843]

Every contractor I've worked with sucked and once they see you have money they try to take advantage. Even worst I live in a wealthy town so off the bat price jumps 20-50% THANK GOD FOR KZbin. I rather learn to do it the right way on my own.

[@sterlingodeaghaidh5086]

I have this all the time. I am a coffin maker and the one thing I say is that even tho I say it would take a week to make it or how long, i may have to wait longer, parts dont come in, I cannot source wood, the delivery person cannot get to me some times because of weather, so that week may take up to a month.

[@chrisfi3d]

And if this continues for you, it could be the..... final nail in the coffin!. Loll ok I’ll just see myself out.

[@wshtb]

So, a couple of years ago, I needed a new hot water tank. Did lots of research before deciding on an 80-gallon hybrid unit (i.e. heat pump). I called up several local contractors. The best quote I can get is $5,500 + tax! I really wanted to support local business. But $5,500 is just too much. Assuming a 10-year lifespan, the hybrid water tank will not save enough $$$ in electricity to offset the extra cost. But thanks to TOH, especially Richard, I decided to tackle the job myself. 80G hybrid water tank with lifetime warranty: $1500 + tax. Copper pipe, misc fittings, and tools: $100 Rebate from electricity company: -$500 In the end, it only costed me ~$1,200 and 3 hours to install this. It truly baffles my mind why contractors need to charge so much more?

[@MandoFettOG]

They didn't need the work and/or weren't familiar with the install and we're padding costs incase their guinea pig (you) ended up causing them a headache. But, good job on installing it yourself. Being self sufficient is good for your mental well-being.

[@MechanicalMikesRoadsideRepair]

Important info!!

[@AlMai222]

Thank god I’m an honest contractor highly experienced giving below average prices

[@SALESPRODUCTIONS]

How long will it take ? "2 weeks" See : " The Money Pit "

[@johnkelly9451]

Seriously true! Unfortunately this movie resonates and we have learned difficult lessons. Our education of ignorance and trust costs us too much. Yes, the standard two weeks, to call, to get back to you, for materials to be delivered, to finish the job! We would like to pay the last installment upon completion and inspection of the job in two weeks! 😂-John's wife

[@cetriyasArtnComicsChannel]

Would like to know what are tips or signs to know what are good or bad home contractor

[@huntergeisler4206]

Good video

[@ArcolaBridge]

What does it cost to store a tool in a customer's house for a month?

[@carlshort9867]

How do you work with a contractor on a insurance job? And does anyone know where to start with having to demo and rebuild a detached one car brick garage? And should you tell them how much the insurance company estimate is?

[@claro371]

What about hiring a licensed contractor? That is your first step depending on the work you want done.

[@claro371]

@@jimbol6847 Actually in every state it is illegal to do many types of work without a contractors license. This provides legal recourse for the consumer if the work is not done per code.

[@nightfangs2910]

Unfortunately this video adds credence to building homes in giant warehouses not on site where automation is King not tradesmen, it takes away many of the issues stated here, and keeps work delays and material shipments are no longer an issue, masonry and landscape obviously have to be done on site but not the other trades

[@rdarrett3635]

TOH make a longer video on this topic. Please!

[@jamesnj3454]

Is this available in Spanish subtitles?

[@Catheter07]

Dont laugh....but for my sunroom, where security and asthetics arent a great concern, i want to install screen doors horizontally, hinged at the top instead of the 5x more expensive windows. Doesnt spoil the view too much. Sliding glass/mesh type will keep out bugs and elements. Could even open the door wide to go full nature, with a kickstand assist. Not worried about insulation, its a sunroom....stop laughing. Lol

[@BradThePitts]

Double the time and double the money you think is about right.

[@MattNis1]

Low, medium, high. They all have many defects no matter what. You pay more, they think you’re a sucker or pushover.

[@liammcgough9969]

I buy the materials for a job, that way the installer has what he needs. And I only pay for the labor, when the job is completed. If they need something else, I go and get it. That way if they don't finish the job I'm not stuck paying for a job they did not finish. My parents paid an installer to install baseboard heating and his bid was the lowest. They found out years later it was lower because he did not use the proper diameter piping for the job. I think people are afraid of getting burned by a unethical contractor. I want a honest price for a honest job. If I can't afford it, then I will save up so the job can be done right.

[@MCRideout]

How do we deal with deadbeats who present well and have good reviews and their prices aren’t too bad? How do we just fire someone?

[@jim1550]

3:17 ease-drop? is that a NE phrase?

[@charlotteearl8260]

Wow

[@wesleywright7796]

This is from the contractor"s point if view. BEWARE OF TAKING ADVICE FROM CONTRACTORS.

[@gerardcomeau2160]

🎵 Always take pictures of the contract with your phone. 🎵 Always take pictures of pre-work.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

where's jenn? lanscapers are a part of this.

[@chrisfi3d]

kodiak wild - let’s leave Jen out of this one.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

@@chrisfi3d i was speaking more about the landscaping perspective ( although alot of the contractor concerns do overlap ), but i enjoy jenn, no need to exclude her.

[@Dredpath1]

If you are an apprentice like me, keep your mouth shut and ears open!

[@rogerspable]

Good format, just shooting summaries across the table.

[@Minininja249]

Second person 2 watche

[@markr7018]

45th person..😂

[@SondejJohn]

I wouldn’t trust any contractors.

[@avalon449]

Lol.....it’s. Sellers market and you guys are bellyaching.

[@jasoncabrera829]

First

[@Minininja249]

Jason Cabrera you suck