Sub-contractors deserve a closer look

The view from the deck is stunning. Ownership of a Lake Coeur d’Alene home, a dream come true. The family worked hard to buy it.

Then remodeling started, and only then was it discovered that the foundation of the home wasn’t set on concrete footings. Now what? Though only a few years old, the house is basically unfit to live in. The homeowners are looking at a costly fix.

In another home, a family was getting settled into their newly remodeled basement family room to watch TV. Oddly, though, the lamps wouldn’t light and the TV didn’t come on. A tester showed no electricity reaching the wall outlets. A look behind the socket faceplate revealed no wiring to the plugs.

Unfortunately, these stories really happened, and recently.

Although contractors didn’t make the BBB’s top ten list for complaints last year, the contractor complaints we’re seeing are more severe and more costly.

Part of the reason: we’re in a building boom in the Inland Northwest, and good sub-contractors are busy.

Demand sometimes exceeds the supply of high-quality, ethical builders. Those who cannot wait hire individuals to build homes who have no business doing so.

Many of the new arrivals to the area come from states with very strong permitting, inspection and licensing laws and they expect the same protections here, but that’s simply not the case. In Washington, we have a small bond requirement and licensing. In Idaho, contractors have to register and there’s a small fee attached. In Montana, even less is required.

In defense of the builders, some homeowners expect million-dollar quality when they’re paying a fraction of that. Unreasonable customers haunt the building and remodeling industries just as they do every business these days.

Some basic rules if you’re planning a remodeling or building project in 2006:

If you find someone who can start immediately — when all the other professionals you’ve contacted are offering only a spot on a long waiting list —there’s usually a reason.

Don’t enter into a contract with a builder or hand over money up front unless you have first checked the company out with thelocalbbb.com, building and contracting trade associations, past customers and even the builder’s lumber supplier and bank. If no one has heard of the company, it’s not a good sign.

If you get three bids, and one is substantially lower than the others, take a close look at why.

Be wary if the builder wants you to pull all the permits. Get a lawyer involved if this is the road you want to take.

If you’re from another state, find out what protections you have before you make a choice.

Don’t be afraid to check the job site regularly and keep the lines of communication open. Your relationship with the contactor is important, so work on it.

Remodeling a kitchen, finishing a basement or building your first or last home should be an adventure. Just remember to do your homework and keep in mind, the difference between an ordeal and an adventure frequently is attitude.