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Post renovation service - what to do if a problem arises
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 06 May 2009 18:38
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What can you expect after all the renovation work has been done? If a problem arises, following the advice below will help you understand what to do next. This is often half the battle. Almost all renovation projects encounter some minor problems, this is the nature of renovation work. When you add something new to something old, not everything is going to fit snugly and smoothly. But this is by no means cause for alarm. The key to professionalism is quickly and effectively resolving and correcting problems. SERVICEA professional renovation job does not end when the last nail is hammered in or the last coat of paint applied. Every contractor has a different type of after sales service but the common element is customer satisfaction.One of the first things you should do before all the workers are completely gone is to schedule a "walk through" of the project with your contractor. As your contractor shows you everything that has been done, keep a list of small items that haven't been finished yet, eg. sections of baseboard missing, face plates for switches and outlets that have to be put on, last minute wiring, etc. Catching these little items that can often be forgotten in the jumble of finishing up a job is important while the workers are still in your home. It will be very inconvenient for you and the contractor to schedule a time for one of his crew to come back to your house to install that little piece of trim that was forgotten. When everyone is gone and you and your family are settling back to your normal lifestyle, you may find problems popping up that either weren't there before or you didn't catch on your walk through. With any renovation project, little things can be expected. The best thing you can do is divide your problems into two categories, MINOR and MAJOR problems. A MINOR problem which is not urgent would be one that causes you some inconvenience or doesn't look complete. For example, a broken tile, a piece of missing trim, a loose or sticky door, small drywall cracks or popped screw heads, etc. These are all things that you can live with until a worker can come back to your house. The easiest way to handle MINOR problems is to make a list of them as you notice them. When you have accumulated several on your list, call your contractor and let him know what you've found. You can then arrange a time for a worker to come and fix them all at once. A MAJOR problem which would require immediate attention (within 24 hours) would be one that, if left undone or unfinished would make your house unlivable, unsafe and/or the problem will get worse. For example, no heat, a leaky pipe or fitting, a drywall crack that seems to grow every day, uncovered electrical wires or unusual sounds when you turn on a new light or motor. It's a good idea to ask your contractor to explain how to operate new controls and devices and also find out what you should be doing for proper care and maintenance of the new products. |
