Juggling multiple repair projects- Lessons learned

[Sandy Sawyer]

I love learning from these forums and feel compelled to give back. Last year I had the fence and gutters replaced at my home at the same time, just to see what issues may arise in a bigger project later. So here I'll pass (some of) the valuable lessons I learned.

1) When negotiating price, always include the terms of payment. It's a little late when they've already started tearing down your fence when the guy asks you for a check. I thought we would pay upon completion, but he wanted to get paid up front. (We compromised and I wrote him a postdated check.)

2) Be very clear about the scope of work. Don't expect workers to know what you are thinking. They aren't mind-readers. Ambiguity tends to slip in and big misunderstandings can arise. Of course, get it all in writing.

3) Expect that some things can get damaged. With construction workers on your property, sometimes they act like guerillas. In this instance, one of them tore up part of my front lawn backing out of my driveway. Another one busted one of my lamppost lights. Be prepared how you will handle these things. The second one was made to pull out cash and pay for it himself. I turned around and paid him to fix the trim on my garage (borrowing materials from the fence job, shhh!) so we were even.

4) Expect workers to show up when you weren't expecting them and not show up when you do expect them. I told them I'd be gone that day and to come the following day. Came home and they had already started the project. No consideration that I have a dog and of course nobody is watching to keep my gate shut. 

5) While low-hourly workers need micro-managing, you have to also watch the contractor trying to upsell and make change orders. When unexpected additional costs arise, see if you can get a different party involved. For instance, when the gutter guys discovered rotted facia board, I hired the fence guys to fix that for cheaper. (they were onsite anyway). 

You learn a lot about yourself with these little projects and whether you have what it takes to crank out bigger projects and what it's better to delegate. And leave room in your budget for a nice steak dinner afterwards!