I loved my home. Two acres in the country, but near enough to town that it was still convenient. It was a 1920s arts and crafts bungalow, still one of my favorite architectural styles. For me, a bungalow is the perfect family home. I loved the front porch, the sights and sounds of nature, and the homey, cozy personality of my humble home. It needed some TLC when we bought it, but 20 years went by, and the projects we planned never happened.
We raised our sons, planted trees, designed (and redesigned flower beds) more times than I can count. My husband mowed a figure 8 path and sprayed it down with the hose to get it muddy; then turned the boys loose on their Go-cart. One of my favorite pictures from their childhood is of my two boys standing by their go-cart covered in mud, grinning ear-to-ear.
We buried four dogs and a cat there, tried (unsuccessfully) to raise a vegetable garden, and hosted many summer get-togethers and our boys’ graduation receptions there. I loved the home and the property so much. It was my sanctuary, my place of peace, imperfect as it was. We planned to stay forever. But life takes surprising turns.
I was unprepared for the fall of 2014. Many life changes, including an illness, changed everything. There was no time for yard work, property maintenance, flower gardening, or kitchen and bath upgrades. There was only time for the necessary, so the home and the property that we loved fell into a state of further disrepair. We lost several trees to carpenter ants and heavy rains. Weeds consumed my once beautiful flower beds. We had an invasion of red squirrels. We brought in a used sofa, and with it an infestation of bed bugs. It was a difficult season.
After my husband’s death, I floundered. I was not physically or financially able to care properly for our home, and was struggling to hold on to my job. Then came COVID, and while I moved through my initial grieving process and had obtained a HELOC for repairs and updates, it seemed impossible to find contractors. I managed to find a good one, who did a great job on my bathroom remodel. But as you may know, if a contractor is any good, he is likely also very busy.
So I was searching again, and not having much luck. So I settled for whoever I could get. Big mistake!
When it comes to home repairs, upgrades, or the sale of a home, you have to sometimes wait when you you are tired of waiting and you want to take action. These are the things I learned:
- When hiring contractors, don’t settle for someone you are unsure of, even if no one else is available. Wait for the one whose qualifications can be verified, and who is not giving you any red flags. Ignore the red flags, and you will probably waste even more time, not to mention your money and materials.
- Don’t pay up front. Pay when the work is done, and watch out for the shell game. I had a contractor who would start one project, then move on to something else before he finished the first task, always assuring me he would “finish everything.” I kept letting him get by with it. He couldn’t even install a ceiling fan. I’m not kidding, he left it dangling from the ceiling. I knew where he lived, so I finally went to his house and got my keys back. Sometimes the wait is worth it.
- Ask for references, look them up online, make phone calls. Check that they are licensed, or at least that they have a DBA on file with your county. Check review sites like Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Or just search for their name or business name on internet and see if you find any horror stories.
- Write up a contract, prepare a scope of work with deadlines. If they are not willing to sign a contract DO NOT hire them. I was naive and inexperienced in working with contractors, and because I am an honest person, I sometimes assume that others are also. Don’t assume other people will keep their promises. No verbal agreements. You’re not being “difficult” you are being sensible. Any contractor worth his price will understand that. Here’s wishing all you homeowners the best with your upcoming projects.