Massachusetts Builders Blog

“Light At The End Of The Tunnel” by Sura Nualpradid from freedigitalphotos.net My husband, who is a very smart guy, made a very wise observation last week. He said, "It seems to me that most of the problems with construction projects occur when a job is first starting, or at the end." I thought about it and realized that he is absolutely right. A project can go along smoothly, but then problems occur at the end that leave everyone with a negative impression of the experience. I think about my most recent client, who spent over one million dollars renovating his house. He and the contractor are in a dispute about the last $6000.00. I have not made a mistake with the zeros. So, for contractors and construction companies, I offer the following advice: 1. Tell your clients at the beginning if you are finishing up another job. Let them know that you will be starting at a slower pace in order to do justice to the previous project. Promise them that you will afford them t...

To contractors, allowances in contracts may be self-explanatory, but owners often find them confusing.  A typical section on allowances may look like this:              Cabinets                                    $10,000              Kitchen appliances                    $25,000              Bathroom fixtures                     $20,000 What contracts often don’t explain is, what happens when the full value isn’t used? If I only spend $8,000 on the cabinets, do I then get to allocate the $2000.00 to another category?  If not, why not...

Design/Build contractors are really running two businesses at once: there is the design portion of a project, and then there is the actual construction.  Design/Build contractors should therefore have two different contracts for these phases of the job for the following reasons: Design does not fall under the Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Statute, M.G.L. c.142A which governs home renovation projects in Massachusetts. There are strict requirements for which clauses have to be included in these contracts and any violation is a  per se , automatic violation of the Consumer Protection Statute, M.G.L. c.93A, which can give consumers up to double or triple damages, attorney’s fees, interest and costs.  For that reason, contractors do not want the design portion of these projects to be subject to these laws. The contractor must make clear to the homeowner that there is a separate fee for the design, and that the fee is  nonrefundable . I have seen too many c...

I have many clients who tell me that they've never been sued. If a problem develops, they work with their clients and try to resolve it. Working as a contractor who does new construction or remodeling has never been harder. Clients turn to the internet and believe they know how to do it faster, better and less expensively. They are savvy consumers who monitor time spent on the job and costs of materials.  Sometimes they work at home and keep close tabs on the work. The pressure on contractors is enormous, and in some cases, can make them discouraged and less motivated to do their best. Despite working in a stressful profession, contractors should always strive to do their best; even if the owner is very, very difficult. The reason for this is simple. A contractor or construction company's reputation can make or break his business. I have had clients receive bad reviews on known websites and seen them severely damage their financial condition. Unfair as it may seem, once ...

It seems as thoug h more and more contractors are branding themselves as design/build these days.  The process is attractive for both homeowners and contractors.  Rather than seeking the services of an architect, the homeowner only needs to engage one professional for the design and execution of a renovation project.  The contractor has a great marketing tool.  He can advertise as a “one-stop” shop that provides both the design and construction as part of a seamless, efficient process that will result in a less expensive, successful project. What I have found in practice is that design/build has both advantages and traps for the unwary contractor and consumer.  The pros for the contractor are many: Earning a fee for both the design and the construction aspects of home improvement projects. Working with a design that has the necessary components for the construction phase. No unclear specifications that handicap the builder. Dealing with known in-hous...