How do I know whether the remodeler I'm talking to is a professional or not? I don't want to make a costly mistake!!

Red Flags: Signs of the Un-Professional Home Remodeler (courtesy of the National Association of Home Builders)

• Doesn't have license and insurance. All professional home remodelers should be insured and able to show their certificate proving such insurance. Although all states do not require licensing, remodelers in states requiring licenses should have it and be able to provide a copy.
• Doesn't write contracts. Professional home remodelers have clear contracts that outline the job, process, the cost, and helps clarify how problems will be managed. If you don't have a contract, neither the remodeler nor the home owner are protected when something goes wrong.
• Requires cash or payment in full before starting the job. Shady home remodelers demand cash and then run with the money. Many home owners have been stranded by paying in full up front.
• Vastly underbids all other contractors. They may have the best price, but that doesn't guarantee the best work. Such contractors may cut costs on quality for your home remodel, which can end up costing more when the home owner has to redo the work.
• Cannot provide customer references. Professional home remodelers should have current references they can provide from current and past clients.
• Poor credit. A bad credit report suggests bad business practices that could harm your remodeling project.
• Difficulty contacting the home remodeler. Professionals have a physical office, mailing address, phone, and email. They should respond to your queries in a timely manner.

It’s hard to make so many decisions about my remodeling project, why is my contractor pushing me so hard so soon?

Whether you are remodeling a kitchen, a bathroom or adding new space, there are many decisions that have to be made about products. Try as hard as you can to make those decisions before you actually start the remodeling project.

Not deciding details early enough can cause delays in the project and unexpected expenses. Many delays are the fault of the contractor. But some are caused by homeowners who haven’t selected plumbing fixtures, tile, granite, siding or roofing colors, cabinet color, light fixtures, etc. If you are ordering some materials from a store on your own, be sure your sales person really understands you want to actually place the order-that you are not 'just looking'.

Online ordering is even trickier. Not only do you have delivery issues to deal with, but if the product is broken, missing parts or doesn;t look like what you were expecting you have to start over. This also causes delays.

Try to bring samples home so you can see how they actually will look in your light. Colors are tricky. Avoid delays by selecting items early so they can be ordered to make sure the product is available when the contractor needs it. Today, nothing is “in stock” like it was 5 years ago. Distributors are carrying very little inventory and require a full truckload for delivery. It can make scheduling a nightmare. Holding up a project for a few days because you changed your mind about some element can add weeks to a timetable. We allow a certain amount of time for a project and then schedule to move on to the next-you may have to wait and that will be frustrating for everyone. A change in product usually means a change in the schedule.

All the above rules also apply for building a new home. The longer you wait to decide something, the longer a project takes. 

What does it mean when a remodeling contractor says they are “lead certified”

It means the contractor has taken the required 8 hours of education, passed the State of Wisconsin test and received their certificate that legally allows them to remove lead based paint (windows, doors, surfaces, etc) from a home.  It also means the trade contractors they hire are also ed.

Every home built before 1978 is assumed to have lead based paint somewhere in the home. If you plan on remodeling it is imperative you ask for and hire a contractor that has this certification (even the handyman). Lead safe practices must be followed in all homes unless there is third party proof there in no lead paint. There is no ‘opt-out’ clause available in Wisconsin.  This means it is mandatory the contractor follow lead safe practices and keep proper paperwork. The state has taken on stricter standards than the EPA (Federal standards), so ignore anything you hear from the EPA as the Wisconsin Department of Health has jurisdiction in our state on this issue. Knutson Bros. II, LLC is a lead certified company.

These lead safe practices do add an expense to a remodeling project-how much depends on the scope of the project. There are 2 legitimate ways a contractor can avoid these expenses.The first is to prove the home was built after 1978. The second is a test available that can prove there is no lead in a pre-1978 home. Not having lead paint or stain in the home can release your contractor from following the lead safe practices.

Can I remodel My Home in the winter?

Yes, but it requires some planning. It involves additional time. There are the holidays and deer hunting to consider. People are gone and companies  allow vacation time. Bad weather in another part of the country is often the culprit for a delayed shipment.

Winter weather- cold temperatures and snow removal slow down production. Safety is our first priority.  Extreme cold stops production. Some things simply can’t be completed in extremely cold temperatures. As an example, shingles won't adhere properly on an icy surface, vinyl siding will crack if it is too cold and exterior painting needs to be done when weather stays above 55* and is dry. Not to mention the fact it’s just plain dangerous to work outside. Lack of sun and wind chills also affect the progress of a remodeling project. a good day or two of snow and bad weather backs a project up several days. Many times it can be made up, but it's tough.

These things will affect your time schedule, like it or not, it is a reality. It may cost more to remodel in the winter as we need heat and the affected area may not be as energy efficient “in the process” as it will be in the end. If the furnace is down, the contractor may heat with portable propane heaters. We also have to pay someone to shovel snow or plow the driveway if you aren't there to take care of it.

A good contractor will allow for winter and schedule accordingly. Communication about these issues is key. The same rules apply if you are building a new home.

As long as access is good and the home is enclosed to the weather, the interior work can pretty much go on as usual.

What is a design/build remodeler?

Design/build is a service-oriented operating style that gives remodeling clients a one-stop shopping when considering doing any work on your home. Working with a design/build firm allows the client to work closely with the remodeling contractor to achieve a common goal-creating functional space while increasing the value of the home, all within the parameters of a pre-determined budget.

Many designers are qualified to design a great project and there are many remodelers that can build a great project. The secret is to be able to design AND build a great project within the client’s real-world budget. Today it is critical to discuss the budget upfront, especially if you are financing with a bank or credit union. How much you will be allowed to borrow may very well dictate the scope of the project.

Small projects as well as substantial remodeling projects require a detailed set of plans. The plan (a) explains what you are getting in relation to your contract (b) is used to obtain permits and (c) tell carpenters and trade contractors just what is to be built. Design/build remodelers can provide “buildable” plans (plans that meet the local codes and solve the problem with in the budget) and construct the project. The old adage, 'the devil is in the details' applies to remodeling!

Thus, a design/build remodeler is responsible for the project from inception through design and construction until completion.

I am thinking about buying a "fixer-upper" home. What do I need to keep in mind?

Fixer-uppers can range from houses with severe structural problems to merely "tired" 20-year old homes. The most important thing when deciding to invest in a fixer-upper is the type of work to be done.

Fixer-uppers with the most potential for profit are the homes that don’t need a lot of major work. Nothing structural. This type of fixer-upper can be revitalized with new interior and exterior paint, new light fixtures, new floor covering, landscaping, etc. The easy stuff. Curb appeal is critical. Of course location is key.

Some of the fixer-upper projects that tend to be the most unprofitable include a new shingles and maybe finding water damage, foundation repairs, structural work, extensive remodeling or major renovations. That black stuff really could be mold and lead paint will also increase your repair expenses.

Don’t forget to have a home inspection done to try and protect yourself from an unexpected defects like a cracked heat exchanger or a cleverly hidden surprise.

I want to do some remodeling work on my home--where do I start?

I suggest a family meeting. Ask yourselves the following questions. What is it that drives each family member crazy about the home? What do we want to accomplish with this remodeling project? Do we need more space or can we just rearrange the space we have? Are there rooms we don't use? Do we need to accommodate changes in our growing or shrinking family? Do we need to make accommodations for someone in our family that has special physical needs?

How do we plan to use the room you are planning to remodel? Are we trying to make cosmetic changes or upgrade aging or broken parts of our home? How long do we plan on staying in our home? What do we want to invest in this project? Will we pay cash from our savings or investments? How much of a monthly payment can we afford? Will we use a home equity line of credit or will we get a new mortgage? All veterans qualify for low interest loans-can we check with the VA?Even if you have used your loan once, there are new options and more money available.  Perhaps a reverse mortgage would work well.

Let family members dream a little-what would we like in our project if money were no object? What do we really dislike about our current home? Do any friends or relatives have something in their home that we would like to personalize and recreate for our home? Gather pictures of things you like. Be sure to also make some notes about what you don't want.

Take pictures of homes you like. Tear out pictures from magazines. Sometimes you might not even know why you like something, but tear it out anyway. A good designer will help you figure out if it's the door style, or paint color or a window arrangement or flooring covering that appeals to you. Your input is valuable, but don't think you have to have it all figured out-that's why you hire a professional remodeling contractor.

Visit the Knutson Bros. II, LLC website to see “before “ and “after” pictures of recent projects (www.knutsonbros2.com) and then hire a professional to lead you through the process.

How do I prioritize my home remodeling projects?

If you are contemplating a large-scale remodel involving large areas of your house (or even a whole-house renovation), it may not be feasible to do it all at once. In that case, a design/build remodeling contractor can help you work out a plan of action.

A comprehensive master plan reflects all of the ideas you have for your home, using the master plan, which incorporates your plans for your home and your future goals, your remodeler can help you make decisions about which areas of the home to address first.

Working from a master plan is beneficial because it ensures that work done now won’t interfere with work you will do later. The goal is to complete a section and not have to disturb is when you move into the next pahse.  Master planning can also help you in securing financing ahead of time, so there are no surprises when it comes time to actually do the work.

How long does a remodeling project take?

ROME wasn't built in a day and neither will that kitchen remodel or the addition to your home. HGTV is not realistic. However, good planning, honest scheduling and open communication with your contractor will help the process move along smoothly.

Good planning starts simply with you recognizing you have a “house” problem and calling a professional remodeler that offers a design/build service. During the design stage it's important that as a family, you talk about your likes and dislikes of a design. Coming to a consensus in your family before you actually get started building can save time and headaches. 30-90 days is normal for the development of plans, acquiring zoning and building permits and arriving at a final building contract. 30-180 working days is normal for the house to be under construction. Winter can add additional days.

Change orders or delayed selections will extend the projected time. Depending on how extensive the remodeling is in the existing house will determine how much disruption to your daily life will take place.

Ask for a written schedule of events before the projects starts. Always remember, this is a guideline! Things will vary, but at least you will have an idea about what is supposed to happen when. This makes it easier for you to have selections made, have materials on the job or be out of town at the appropriate time.

Verbal communication on a daily basis helps keep things moving. Some days will be worse than others, but remember, when it is finished, it will be worth it!!

What do you recommend I do to keep the mess from our remodeling project to a minimum?

Remodeling is dirty work no matter what anybody tells you. There are some things you can do to control the dust and debris from controlling you.

First rule of thumb is "Never give up". Isolate the area with plastic sheeting. Vacuum and sweep daily. Be sure you check your vacuum cleaner to be sure it can handle construction debris and drywall dust. You might consider using a shop vac as they are a bit tougher and can suck up pretty much anything. Use an exhaust fan or a room air cleaner in the work area. Keep pets and kids out of the construction area so they don’t track contaminants throughout the house.

Use a high-efficiency furnace filter and change it once a week during construction.

If possible, shut off the air ducts to the work area so that the contaminants are not drawn into the living area.

Cover all warm air ducts and cold air returns with cheese cloth to filter debris before it gets into the rooms. Keep the cheesecloth damp and you will collect even more dust. I highly recommend having your duct work cleaned by a professional heating contractor. You will be both amazed and mortified by what you will find. Not only will there be the remodeling debris, but if the ducts have never been cleaned, the dust, dirt and household items that accumulated over the years will be cleaned out. Your family will breath better.

A comoany called 'Protective Products' makes a wide selection of things to help control dust, debrs

Will I have to move out while the work is being done?

The ultimate answer to that question lies with your remodeler. He knows best what work needs to be done on your home and how that work might be done. our tolerance for inconvenience will also play a part in that answer.

Some criteria remodelers use in order to recommend relocation include: scope of work (how much of the house is affected) type of work (work that causes potentially dangerous situations for non-construction personnel, or may be hazardous without proper equipment) the time of year (will you be without heat for a prolonged period in the winter) and the flexibility of the owner (will your schedule permit relocating).

If you do remain in the home while the work is being performed, be prepared for some new adventures in living! (It’s not unheard of to store microwaves or refrigerators in bedrooms. Many bathrooms also become temporary kitchenettes). There will be days when power is shut off or there is no water, but it is restored at the end of the work day.

Ask you remodeler to help you set up areas in parts of the house you will live. Expect at the very least to move out of the area of the house where the work is being done.

How do I prepare my home for a room addition to be done this winter?

This is a good time for a serious house-cleaning project! Unfortunately your cherished possessions can get in the way of a remodeling project, so arrange to remove them. When you are packing, look beyond just the space being remodeled. Your remodeler may need access to the spaces that aren’t being changed, such as the basement, attic, or garage, as well as the driveway or the grounds.

Store your covered furniture in a warm, dry, heated area-remember; moisture can cause mold and mildew. Anticipate the rooms and areas your project will affect and take the necessary steps to remove, store or cover your things.

As you are packing smaller belongings in boxes, mark the boxes so you remember what is in them. Think about where you are going to store the boxes.

Keep access to the basement clear, including areas around the electrical service, water and waste lines and the wall that is adjacent to the addition. Keep the passageway to the attic clear - clean out the attic if necessary. If building materials are going to be stored in the garage, clear it out long before the day the materials are scheduled to arrive.

Don’t forget your yard- Anticipate the effect delivery trucks, heavy equipment and dumpsters will have on your grounds. Do fences have to come down or trees need to be trimmed or lawn furniture have to be moved?

I want to do some improvements on my home, but I am told my house is sub-standard by today’s zoning standards and I have to apply for a variance. What does that mean?

It means you may have a problem doing any kind of addition. Prior to the “Kenosha Ruling” (State of Wisconsin vs. Kenosha County Board of Adjustment) you could have applied for a variance for your project. Upon proving a hardship at a Board of Appeals hearing, you would have received a variance to the zoning standards. That approval would have allowed you to obtain a building permit in a non-conforming situation.

The Kenosha ruling said that a variance may not be granted unless the owner has “no reasonable use for the property”. The literal legal interpretation of this decision is that the property owner must prove he or she cannot use their property for anything. This pretty much means if you can picnic on your property, your have a “use” for it and therefore a variance cannot be granted.

This means your house can not be changed or altered for any reason outside the existing envelope of the home. The means you cannot build out on any side or up (for a second floor addition) if you are not in compliance with the current zoning rules. As a result of this decision, local governments have no choice but to deny almost all variance requests, including shoreland variances.

If you believe this could be a problem for you, please contact your State Representative or State Assemblyman.

I am doing some major renovation to my home and am concerned about my homeowner’s insurance policy being inadequate. What should I do?

It is essential to have the insurance value of the home adjusted to reflect the value of the home after the remodeling project is finished.

My advice is to review your homeowner’s policy with your agent and increase your coverage to include the remodeling before you begin the project. The agent will need detailed information about your project; usually a copy of the contract and/or the plans will be sufficient.

It is imperative the value is adjusted before you begin in the event of a loss during the construction process. If you were underinsured before you began the project and you suffer a loss during or after the remodeling, there will be a he gap in coverage and could cost thousands of dollars out of pocket to replace what was lost.

Why am I having trouble getting 3 contractors to give me a bid on a room addition I am planning to build?

As a contractor managing a family business started in 1955, the challenge remains the same. That is, to find the 60% of homeowners who want a good job at a fair price and in fact know the real value of the word “free”. These people look beyond the words for value, longevity and integrity.

The dilemma legitimate contractors face is that a lot of people have no regard for his time and expenses. Discerning homeowners know that a good contractor’s time is valuable to him and to his customers.

Forcing a legitimate businessman to waste his time giving comprehensive an estimate when you aren’t going to give him the work truly raises the cost of doing business for everyone. Seeking out 3 bids has long been the advice for a remodeling project, but today, one bid is enough.

Select a contractor as carefully as you would your doctor or lawyer. An established and qualified contractor has just as much integrity and value as these professionals.

Can we live in the house while we are remodeling?

It depends on your project type and your stamina for inconvenience. Young children and pets add more challenges to the mix. Attitude is everything, especially in remodeling.

I will say that no matter how positive your attitude, there will come a point in the project where you think you won’t be able to take one more minute of drywall dust or you think it will NEVER get finished. Then suddenly-it’s over. The project is complete and it exceeds your dreams and your life is back to normal.

If you are doing a first floor addition that can be shut off from the house for most of the time, staying in your house really isn’t a problem.

If you are doing a whole house remodel and every room is going to be torn up, you may want to consider living with your mother for a while.  It might be the lesser of 2 evils.

If you are adding a second floor addition, the weather challenges may predicate you move out during the work.

Have a serious conversation with your contractor about what the conditions could be during the project and make your decision based on your own personal situation.

Will our services have to be shut off during our remodeling project?

Yes and not always when you expect it. Initially, the plumbers need to shut your water system down when they start working on your system. Generally, they can re-work the system to keep some of the house working at all times.

The heating is the same way-the more complicated the project, the longer it will be down. In a long-term project, the contactor will bring in propane heaters if there is no heat in the winter. Everybody has to stay warm to work. The electricians are the hardest to predict. They shut off the areas they are working in and sometimes it stays off for a while.

Sometimes houses are wired weird and that particular circuit has an unrelated part of the house connected to it. That’s going to be off too. Sometimes they are working and the circuits are off. At the end of the day, they simply forget to turn them back on.

We always try to leave something ‘hot’ so we have power to run equipment. Safety is first and foremost for our crews and for you.

We try not to inconvenience you as much as possible, but sometimes it happens-We apologize in advance!

Do I have to change my homeowner’s insurance policy for my renovation to my home?

It depends on what type of renovations you are doing, so talk to your agent. If you are doing maintenance work like replacing the furnace, hot water heater, flooring, shingles or windows, you might not need to increase your policy.

If you are doing a major renovation like adding a family room or second floor or replacing your kitchen or bath, you want to look at your policy to make sure you have enough coverage. You want to increase your coverage before you start the project so you are covered as your project increases the value of your home as it gets completed.

All materials delivered to your home are your responsibility and theft of those materials are generally covered under your basic homeowners policy-check to be sure.

If you are excavating for an addition, you also want to carry a builder risk policy for the duration of the project, just like you would if you were building a new house.

Will I have to provide bathroom facilities during construction?

Yes, you will have to provide facilities. Designate which bath you would like the workers to use and keep it stocked with toilet paper and towels. You may want to cover the floor with a protective covering. If the plumbing is going to be shut down for an extended amount of time, the contractor will supply a port-a-potty for the site.

How messy will our house and yard be during our bedroom addition remodeling project?

Debris and dust are a fact of life in any remodeling project. We lay down flooring protection at the beginning of the job and divide the construction site from the rest of the house.

We ask that you remove all furniture, electronics and personal belongings form the area. Cover and tape what you can’t move. We allocate time of the end of every workday to clean up the big pieces and broom sweep the sawdust from the area. There is generally a dumpster on the job site for the duration of the construction for clean up purposes. We do a more substantial clean up each week.

If we need to relay floor protection during the project we do. Keep extra furnace filters on hand and change them. It will help keep the dust from being dispersed around the house.

Do I need to get 3 bids on my remodeling project?

Get 3 bids! - Everything you have ever read regarding selecting a contractor says to do so. I say "bah humbug!" Don't believe everything you read. The old saying "Three’s a crowd" applies here. Working with 3 contractors to arrive at an "apples to apples" comparison of projects' specifications and price is a waste of time and energy for everyone involved. AS a homeowner you will end up confused and frustrated because you will have plenty of information, but remembering who promised what will be a problem. If you are shopping for a remodeling project based on price alone, I believe it is a big mistake. Your home is your biggest financial investment and you want to entrust it’s care to someone reliable, dependable and stable. That usually means "cheapest" is not part of the equation. Remember, you always get what you pay for. I suggest interviewing a couple contractors. Choose one contractor you are comfortable with and work with them for the long haul.

Do I move or improve?

If you like where you live, stay put. That is the simplest answer I can give you. The house may not suit your lifestyle anymore, but that is no reason to move.

We can renovate your house to fulfill your current needs. It also makes good financial sense to stay put and remodel rather than move. Most of us, once we’ve settled into a neighborhood we like, enjoy the security that comes with familiar territory- and that’s something money can’t buy. How do you know what you’re going to get in a new community?

It’s tough to find the perfect “new” house. With your existing house, you can keep the things you love, and change the things you don’t and VOILA- you now have the perfect house right where you want to live

Will there be a lot of trash from my new deck and room addition project?

Oh yes! There will be more trash than you ever expected.

Usually a dumpster is placed on the property in a location closest to the area where the work is being done. It helps save time and therefore money just by saving 'steps' in the cleanup process. It will be emptied periodically and will remain on the site for the duration of the project.

In the beginning of a project, there is a lot of debris from the demolition-drywall or plaster, studs and headers, shingles, siding, old wiring, etc. that will end up in the dumpster. As the carpenters work through the rough-in stage of the addition and the deck, there will be a lot of cut off material and waste that needs to be disposed of –do not burn any treated lumber.

Many products come to the job site boxed, bagged or wrapped and we need a place to put it, so it doesn't blow around the neighborhood.

Resist the temptation to do a major house cleaning without asking your contractor first. We don't like delivering a dumpster on Friday, for Monday's start, only to find our dumpster filled to the top with old mattresses and 20 years of basement 'memorabilia'.

Will someone be working at my house everyday on my remodeling project?

You may not have someone physically at your house working everyday, but please don’t think the contractor has forgotten about you. Just because no one is at your house, doesn’t mean someone isn’t working on your project.

There is a lot of work being completed that happens away from the house and out of sight of the homeowner. Materials are being ordered, deliveries are being scheduled, ductwork is being fabricated in the shop, cabinets and countertops are being manufactured, and trim finished in the factory-somebody is working on your project somewhere.

Remodeling is a challenging experience, even under the best of circumstances and when you don’t see things changing every day at your house, it makes it more difficult, but hang in there. We aren’t ignoring you. We want to complete your project as fast as you do!

We are planning a major remodeling project and don’t know what to do with our pets.

This is always a challenge for both owners and contractors. Animals need to be kept away from the construction site. There are nails, staples, tempting sticks of wood, sawdust, holes in the floors, in other words, the site is a dangerous place for pets.

Many animals are 'gun shy' and a pneumatic nailer scares the daylights out of them.

If a neighbor or family member will pet sit while you are gone, taking them off-site is the best solution. Closing them up in an extra room that won’t be touched by the contractor is another option.

If they are kennel trained, use it. Don't expect the contractor to be your pet sitter. They are being paid to work, not hunt for your dog or cat that escapes when it sneaks through the open door.