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Let’s see why the choice of the construction company is the first step to take when renovating!

We know, we’ve said it a million times, renovating your home can become a high source of stress and turn into a true nightmare!

There are really so many things to think about and pay attention to, and if you can’t be there all the time, it all amplifies exponentially, bringing huge bellyaches and heavy losses of money and time.

How can you avoid experiencing the work period badly?

The choice of the right construction company that will put hands on your home is a FUNDAMENTAL thing.

It is a choice that will make a difference both in the final result of the work and in the psychological component you will experience during the entire renovation phase.

Below are some hints on how to choose the right company for you

ON LINE RESEARCH

In the internet age, everything is now at your fingertips!

And it’s really hard for a construction company not to be present in some way on the internet!

PAY ATTENTION, however, to not dwell only on the most appealing website, it’s not enough to choice of the right construction company!

You should know that often the pictures you see on various websites are not photos of jobs actually done by the company, but bought from foreign sites!

In the end, the website is a showcase, and we always try to present ourselves at our best.

If you see crooked photos, perhaps out of focus, then yes, it will be their work; but if you see “magazine” photos, ask yourself questions…

Very few businesses rely on professional photographers to capture their work.

When you see a beautiful picture, go further and read the description to see that it is compatible with the image you just saw…

Focus on the contents; they will give you a first idea of who those construction companies are and what they do.

If they also have social media channels you can follow them and start “knowing them”, you can even interact without any commitment!

Search and evaluate their reviews!

Pay attention to those constructors without reviews, as well as, for those who have them, you have to understand if they are real customers or friends and relatives!!

SPECIALIST VS. GENERALIST

I recommend you avoid those companies that give you an endless list of services!

the longer the list is, the less quality you will have!

It is impossible to excel in everything and guarantee an excellent product or service if you are not specialized!

It is clear that you can find a company that has a highly skilled staff in the various sectors, but it must be specified very well on the site, perhaps in the section OUR TEAM, for example.

Also, remember that a construction company that renovates apartments will hardly do a very high-quality job if you need to renovate a cottage!

The construction company must be chosen based also on the work you have to do.

EVALUATE THE KEY IN HAND SOLUTION

If you choose each master craftsman yourself, you might save something, at least at the budget level, but to do so, remember that you will have to spend a lot of time finding the “right” ones.

Moreover, if they do not know each other, the risk of misunderstandings that will generate errors and delays (resulting in increased costs) is really great.

The construction company surely has workers with whom it collaborates, who will be just as serious; a good company cannot risk “losing face” because of a mistaken collaboration!

And for sure, these professionals already know each other and have definitely already worked together.

Try to understand whether these laborers are subcontracted by the company or whether each has its own costs. Especially try to percieve how many subcontracts there are!

I’ll tell you this because the more steps there will be the higher the final cost will be for you!

BE WARY OF TOO LOW ESTIMATES!

Quality and low prices DO NOT go hand in hand!

it would be nice, but it’s not like that!

the reality is that if you spend little you will get little!

A low share for the job done has 2 implications

– either low quality,

– or at each small variation, the price will magically increase (you know when they tell you “this can’t be done this way, we have to do it like that, but it costs X (ex) more”?)

In the end, the risk is to pay more than what you would have paid using the company that had a higher estimate.

MAKE AN IN-DEPTH MEETING

Once you have identified the one you think could be the right company, make an in-depth meeting!

Prepare a piece of paper with many questions and make them show off their works and reviews!

This will help you to understand how they work and therefore if they are the professionals you were looking for, but also their accountability: if they know how to listen to you, and if they answer all of your questions exhaustively, they will be there if problems arise, taking on responsibility and doing anything to solve them.

Because there may likely be problems during the work, and a company present will really make a difference!

In conclusion, take the time to look for the right company for your needs, don’t be charmed by sites that look too good and quotes that are too low, choose a company that specializes in what you need…

If you need a hand with your renovation don’t hesitate to contact me!

Renovating home…

If you are planning something, whatever it is, you can be sure that the people around you will have their opinion about it, and will be happy to let you know it!

This, therefore, also applies if you are renovating your home!

You start all thrilled with a thousand ideas, you can already imagine how it will be, and slowly everyone “destroys” your dreams with “if I were you…” “in your place…” “I would do this differently…”!

Often they give you a suggestion for a part, an element, without knowing all the rest of the project.

But, above all, they don’t know why you’re taking a certain decision!

Most of the time, people are full of good intentions, but not really being in your shoes, their suggestions will be dictated by their tastes and their experiences, which are not necessarily suited to yours!

Designing or renovating your home is definitely exciting, and it is normal that you want to share all this with friends and family!

But, often, their advice and suggestions get you confused!

And it is possible that, following some of their ideas, in the end, you will have a home that isn’t really the way you wanted!

And, above all, that doesn’t fully adapt to your needs and your way of being!

Why does this happen?

HOW ARE YOU COMMUNICATING?

Often this happens because of how you communicate information with them:

  • are you simply making them aware of your plans?
  • are you looking for suggestions?
  • or do you seek their approval?

How you tell them things will make a big difference in whereby they will understand them and reply accordingly!

If your intention is only communicative, to make them aware of what you are doing and share your joy, you must show your projects as if all the decisions had already been taken!

If you are sure of your ideas, others will be inclined to support your vision and share your joy, without intrusion.

Or, in any case, with less “invasive” ones!

When they have anyhow to give you their point of view, accept it, think about it and see if it really is something that fits you, your personality, and your needs.

If it doesn’t, go over it without hesitation, remember that it is you who must live in that house, not them!

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU ASK

If, on the other hand, you have doubts about some part of the project and would like to receive effective advice, do not ask everyone, you would come out more confused than ever!

instead look for someone who is more like you, who knows your tastes and your needs and you will see that they will give you thoughtful advice that really can be useful to you!

But, even in this case, although surely this suggestion will be based more on you, do not take it as pure gold.

Evaluate it in every detail, to be sure that it really fits your needs.

Otherwise do not be afraid to change it, maybe the basic idea is right, but some details are not entirely in tune with your way of being.

As we have said, home renovation is exciting, but it can also be stressful, especially if the project is large and the process is long!

During the path, you may feel frustrated and have a thousand doubts about your choices, and unasked advice can really throw you down…

ONLY YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED!

When this happens, stop, take a deep breath, and always listen just to your heart.

Only you know your very personal tastes, your rhythms, and your needs, and, therefore, only you know what can make you happy!

For example, if your dream is a large open-space kitchen because you love to receive friends and relatives and while you cook you like being able to chat with them, you don’t have to change your mind if someone tells you that a closed kitchen is better because at least you don’t see disorder and above all odors are not smelt!

Remember that a design decision is not necessarily better or worse than yours, only different, dictated by different tastes and needs.

What is right for someone could be very wrong for you!

When customers ask me for help, the first thing I do is talk at length to understand their tastes and needs to study together with the best solution that makes them happy!

Projects don’t always meet my taste, but woe if it were so, the house is not mine!

So, when you start sharing your exciting restructuring plans with others, and the advice starts to arrive copiously, remember that you are the captain of the ship and that only useful friends have to get on board!

The house must reflect you, not them!

If you are renovating your home and need help putting YOUR ideas together, please don’t hesitate to contact me!