Materials

The building materials your contractor uses for a job will have a large influence on how your renovations or repairs look when completed. So let's find out how to get the best workmanship and the best materials necessary for carrying out work on your property.

The type of building materials required for the job should first be discussed when you are addressing the scope of work with your contractor.  You need to include all the materials needed for the different stages of the job, for example, for any preparation work or to protect surrounding areas from debris. If you request that your contractor clean up any mess he makes, he may need to factor cleaning materials into the cost of the job as well.

For example, if you are paying for a paint job, make sure you know exactly what your contractor needs to do the job. Ask him to describe to you how he intends to prepare the surface by either hand scraping or power washing. You will need to know the type of paint he will use including its quality and why it is the best product for the job.

It is important to budget for extra materials when you take on a contractor. This is because sometimes problems arise that were impossible to predict. The initial quote your contractor provides you with should cover the materials he reasonably expects to use in the work. However, if extra or costly materials that you feel go beyond the terms outlined in the quote are required, you should request a Change Order. This guarantees the work using the new materials and reflects the fact that complications or unexpected events have arisen during the course of the work.

You can allay any concerns you have about the materials by discussing all costs upfront with your contractor and getting an estimate on how much material he will need to complete the job. This will provide you with enough information to increase your budget slightly should he need further materials to complete the job.