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11 Questions to Ask When Hiring Your Home Contractor
This post was first published on coldwellbankerelite.com
No matter which type of home renovation you’re tackling, choosing a qualified home contractor is an important piece of the puzzle. You’ll ensure a smoother, simpler home renovation process by asking the right questions before hiring a contractor. Below are 11 questions to ask prospective contractors before you hire a contractor to renovate your home.
1. What does a typical workday look like for you?
This type of question will give you a good idea of your contractor’s working hours. Work hours can vary from company to company, so it’s a great question to ask. In addition to this, also find out where you would keep your pets (if you have any), where the contractor can park, and how you can communicate with them best throughout the day.
2. How long is the job anticipated to take?
The sooner you can find out your project timeline (and share your ideal timeline), the better the contractor can plan under the circumstances. Perhaps you have family coming for the holidays or another strict deadline to meet. Giving your contractor dates far in advance will help you determine if they can realistically meet this goal.
3. What’s your plan in the event of a conflict?
This is a great question to help assess the expertise of your potential contractor. With any major renovation project, delays or misunderstandings can pop up unexpectedly. Your contractor has likely had to tackle both before; however, it doesn’t mean that they know how to effectively mitigate them in a prompt, professional way. By asking them how they would handle a conflict upfront, you’ll see if your contractor has a good plan to tackle potential conflicts and make sure they don’t stand in the way of a job well-done.
4. Do you extend a warranty on your work?
Warranties can save you money and give you peace of mind. Many quality contractors offer a warranty on their work and certain materials/installations—make sure to ask for copies of these warranties.
5. What happens if something runs over budget?
Budgets are great to give you a general idea of how much something will cost. However, sometimes unexpected events or other expenses may arise. You’ll want to know how your contractor will move forward in the event something costs more than the budget. This procedure is important to ensure you don’t have an excessively over-budget renovation bill.
6. Do you have worker’s compensation and liability insurance?
Proper insurance is important when contractors are working inside your home. Without proper insurance, you may be liable if anyone is injured. Always ask to see a copy of their insurance certificates before hiring a home contractor.
7. What if I want to change something?
So you’re halfway through your renovation but you decide that you want a different fixture for a room. This is a normal part of renovating, but it can delay your renovation if you don’t handle it swiftly since the contractor will have to order the new materials. Different contractors have different processes for submitting change orders, so it’s good to find out their process for submitting change orders at the outset.
8. What similar renovation projects have you completed?
Asking about expertise and experience is always a great idea. Ask your contractor if they’ve done similar jobs to the job you’re requesting, and ask to see photos if possible.
9. How many people are involved in your team?
Asking this question lets you know who will be coming and going from your property. You’ll know how many people to expect and know if they’ve been properly vetted by your contractor.
10. What licenses or certifications do you hold?
The state licenses many contractors, so asking to see this in advance of hiring is a good way to determine their legitimacy. You may also be able to look up this info online; however, asking your contractor directly is a great way to assess their reliability.
11. How will we communicate throughout the project?
As the homeowner, you’re likely to want to stay up-to-date and informed on the status of your home project. If you are away from home all day, texting or calling may be your preferred method of communicating with your contractor. Your contractor should accommodate your needs. No matter what, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open so that if problems or questions arise, they are addressed.
Ask these 11 questions to your prospective home contractor today to help prepare and choose a quality and reliable contractor!
Why I Love Fredericksburg, VA?
I think I found the perfect place to live! I know what you’re thinking, “You live in Fredericksburg, there’s nothing perfect about Fredericksburg.” I know, I know, I grew up in Fairfax and used to think the same thing. When I decided to go to Mary Washington College, I really thought I was heading to the “country”, and there wasn’t going to be anything to do.
That brings me to the first great thing about Fredericksburg (FXBG): the University of Mary Washington is outstanding and right in our backyard. Have you walked down the main campus walk? If not, you need to! It is beautiful with amazing architecture, and it is just refreshing to see all of the optimistic students with their bright futures ahead of them. Mary Wash provided me with an excellent education, and I met my amazing wife. I definitely won the college lottery with her!
FXBG is also truly the perfect location. We are sandwiched in between our state capital, Richmond, and our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. You are only an hour or so from both (depending on traffic!). They each provide endless amounts of entertainment. We are two and half hours from Virginia Beach and just a couple of hours from the mountains. I feel you can take a day trip (or weekend if you’re lucky) to do just about anything you want.
I’m not really a history buff, but if you are then you already know that FXBG is one of the most historic locations in our country. I am actually really excited about relearning all of Virginia’s history through the eyes of my daughters as we take them on “field trips” to all of the places they are learning about in school. Here is a quick guide to FXBG’s history.
While you are on your “field trips” with your kids or future kids, you should take advantage of some of the great local parks and farms in FXBG area. A few musts are Alum Spring Park, Loriella Park, Pratt Park, Miller Farms, and Braehead Farm. The list goes on and on and you can check out some of my other favorites here.
FXBG is also becoming a great stop for anyone looking for craft beers. Here is a list of some of the best breweries for you to check out. I would also check out the Fredericksburg Brew Exchange to fill up your growler with your favorite beer or cider. There are also a bunch of great wineries in the area. My favorite right now is Wilderness Run Vineyards, they have great free events with a variety of live music.
After all the beer and wine you are for sure going to be hungry! FXBG has a bunch of great places to eat. You will definitely be satisfied with anything you get from Foode, owned by Top Chef’s Joy Crump. If you are looking for some variety, check out our favorite Downtown restaurant, Bangkok Cafe. El Pino is your go-to stop for Mexican, great prices and great food. You also can’t leave FXBG without trying the up and coming Sprelly, providing you with gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. No matter where you choose to eat, you have to end the night at the famous Carl’s for amazing old-fashioned frozen custard.
These are just a few of the reasons why I love living in Fredericksburg and I think you will love it too! What are some of your favorite things about FXBG?
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Jay Parrish | REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Elite
Cell: (540) 735-5564 | www.movetofred.com | jay.parrish@movetofred.com
Renovating Your Home in 2022: 5 Things to Know
This post was first published on coldwellbankerelite.com
New year, new home improvement projects! As we kick off the new year, you may be hoping to boost your home’s value before you put it on the market—or maybe you’re just ready for an upgrade!
In 2022, a few key industry trends will shape the way we renovate our homes. Keep reading to learn how you can prepare for your home renovation projects this year.
1. The supply chain issues may extend project timelines & budgets
You may have noticed that your favorite products are often out of stock at the store and that prices have gone up. Gas prices have risen as well. This trend is exacerbated by the global supply chain issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, it takes more time and money to produce, distribute, and ship products than in previous years.
Unfortunately, construction materials like lumber are in especially short demand. It is often impossible to pick up additional materials on demand. Shipping times are delayed and costs have risen significantly.
- What does this mean for you? If you’re working with a contractor on your home renovation, you should ensure that they have all the required materials and appliances onsite before the renovation begins. Otherwise, you could face significant delays or mismatched materials.
- For now, also expect the cost of lumber to be higher than usual and budget accordingly. Hopefully, 2022 will see a return to normal pricing, but it may take a while for supply chain issues to be fully resolved.
2. Product shortages may occur
Even after ordering ahead, many homeowners have noticed longer shipping times. Sometimes, items are out of stock with no indication of when they’ll be available next.
- In short, expect your renovation project to potentially cost more and take longer to complete. Maintain some wiggle room for shipping delays and unexpected costs.
3. Labor shortages may impact costs
In addition to supply shortages, 2022 will likely see a continuation of the labor shortage—especially in the construction industry. Skilled professionals such as carpenters, electricians, and plumbers were already in limited supply before COVID-19.
Renovation projects have been more popular in previous years since people have spent more time at home. At the same time, prospective homebuyers are looking for properties with modern features. The result is that many people are performing renovations before putting their houses on the market or just in their spare time.
Because of this, contractors can be heavily booked (sometimes months ahead) and many are charging higher rates. The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University reported that home improvement spending will rise by 9 percent in 2022. This increased demand plus the worker shortages are driving up the cost of skilled labor.
- Moral of the story? Plan and budget your home renovation project(s) way ahead of time. It’s never too early to start planning for a home remodel or upgrade, especially if it will require a lot of time and energy to undergo.
4. These renovation projects will be in high demand
The labor and material shortages, plus the supply-chain disruption, are complicating home renovations. Some projects face even longer timeframes and higher costs—these are the ones that will see increased demand in 2022:
Appliance Upgrades
Today’s appliances are more energy-efficient, safer and easier to use, and often equipped with smart technology. For all those reasons, homeowners are eager to buy them. But shortages of key materials, especially semiconductor chips for kitchen appliances, have made them harder to find. Builders are waiting months for the right products to become available.
New Doors and Windows
Homeowners are replacing and upgrading their doors and windows for aesthetic and safety reasons. Specialty designs, such as stained-glass windows and intricate woodwork, are in high demand. However, these products are also subject to long shipping times. And with a shortage of skilled tradespeople to install them, it can take up to 7 months to replace doors and windows.
Specialty Rooms
As people have spent more time at home, they’ve become more interested in home gyms, studios, theaters, and so on. There is high demand for specialty rooms, such as converting a garage into a gym or workshop. These projects often involve lighting upgrades, running new cables, and adding doors or windows—all of which require skilled labor and special materials.
Home Extensions
Homeowners wanting to add another bedroom, specialty room, or bathroom may face longer project timelines and steep costs in 2022. Last year saw the price of lumber skyrocket, fall, and then rise again at the end of the year. Whereas lumber used to cost around $350 per 1,000 feet in previous years, it now costs $1600 or more in some areas. For any project requiring building materials like lumber, it’s especially important to get all materials on-site before workers begin construction.
5. Expect the unexpected
If you’re considering a major home renovation project, plan ahead as much as possible. Gather estimates of when all your materials and appliances will arrive and aim to have them in place before builders begin work. As your contractors have limited availability, make sure their schedules align with yours. Most importantly, maintain some wiggle room in your budget, as you’re likely to experience some unexpected fluctuation in costs.
All things considered, renovating your home is a great investment in your property’s value and comfort. Regardless of what 2022 has in store, it’s worth it to improve your home—especially if you know what to expect!
Happy new year, and happy renovating!
First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield Hike
We love taking hikes around various parks and battlefields throughout Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania. Today’s specific location is the First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield and it is located right next to the new location of the Spotsylvania Museum (https://www.spotsylvania.va.us/898/Museum) at 6159 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. It is a really easy 3.4 mile loop trail that is great for walking, biking, or even jogging. The sunsets are really amazing here! There is always a good chance to see some wildlife and it is an enjoyable hike for the whole family. The trail is dog friendly but they must be kept on a lease. Make sure after you finish that you stop at The Battlefield Country for some refreshing ice cream or an awesome sandwich. Let me know what you think of this trail!
-Jay Parrish
Decorating Your First Home as a Couple: Budget-Friendly Tips
I vividly remember the first time I bought a smartphone. See, I love technology and how quickly it changes. I get excited, like a kid on Christmas Eve, on my way to Best Buy to get that next new gadget. When I showed my Dad my first smartphone, he said “why would anyone need that?
Fredericksburg Restaurant Week – Ristorante Renato
Restaurant Week continues on in Fredericksburg, and I’m loving it! Yesterday I went to Ristorante Renato just down the street from my office. I was little hesitant at first, as my whole family is gluten free and this is usually a challenge at an Italian restaurant. So I called ahead and discussed their gluten free options (if any), and they were very accommodating!
Their lunch menu for $10.18 included two courses, either an appetizer and an entree or an entree and a dessert. I chose the minestrone for my appetizer. This was my first time trying minestrone, and it was savory and filling. There weren’t any specific entrees that were gluten free, so they completely changed one of their menu items to accommodate with no extra charge. They took their breaded pollo milano and changed it to a delicious chicken piccata with a side of gluten free pasta topped with a red sauce. It was excellent! After the soup and chicken, I was completely full and ready to walk it off on the way back to work. The ambiance of the restaurant will make for a great date night in the future!
I have one more restaurant left in the challenge. I’m starting to wish that it was restaurant week every week! So far I’ve been on a world tour: Mexico, France, and Italy. Where in the world should I head next? Remember you can print out your passport here and join me in the challenge! You have until Sunday, so don’t wait!
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Jay Parrish | REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Elite
Cell: (540) 735-5564 | www.movetofred.com | jay.parrish@movetofred.com
Fredericksburg Restaurant Week – La Petite Auberge
Sounds of Fredericksburg residents discussing the Restaurant Week Passport filled La Petite Auberge this afternoon for lunch. It was reminiscent of kids on a scavenger hunt so excited to find the next treasure. They were discussing how wonderful their meal was and where they planned to go tomorrow. One lady at a table near mine boasted to her friends that she was going to win the $250 worth of Downtown Fredericksburg gift cards. During Restaurant Week people get pretty excited about the opportunity to sample different restaurants at a great price.
Today I headed to one of my favorite local restaurants, La Petite Auberge, to sample their incredibly priced lunch for $10.18. I wasn’t sure what to expect at this special price point. All of the meals started off with a house side salad with their homemade dressing, and it was a great starter. I was excited to find a variety of entree options and had trouble deciding between the trout with almonds and capers or the flank steak bearnaise. The waiter recommended the trout and said it was one of his favorite items on their menu. I was impressed throughout the meal that every time I said “thank you”, it was followed by a “my pleasure” from the waiter. It was a nice touch, and the service from beginning to end was superb. Now, back to the trout! It was great, just like the waiter had described. It included delicious scalloped potatoes and a side of coleslaw. They really went above and beyond with what they included for the $10.18, and I highly recommend you make La Petite Auberge one of your stops this week.
My challenge continues on tomorrow, and I’m still not sure where to go. I’ve been to Soup and Taco II and Don Moncho on the first two days. What two restaurants should be my last two stops before Jan 21? Let me know! Remember you can print out your passport here and join me in the challenge! I hope to see you out!
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Jay Parrish | REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Elite
Cell: (540) 735-5564 | www.movetofred.com | jay.parrish@movetofred.com
Fredericksburg Restaurant Week- Don Moncho
Restaurant Week in Downtown Fredericksburg is a great excuse to experience some of our cool local restaurants?. In my blog yesterday my wife and I had an amazing meal at Soup and Taco II. We decided today we would take the whole family, and continue the Mexican theme by heading to Don Moncho. We have been here one other time, and had a great experience, enjoying tacos? and the best Margaritas? we’ve had in a long time!
Don Moncho’s is in an ideal location overlooking the Rappahannock River with Chatham Manor in the distance. (Today it looked especially cool as the river is still mostly frozen!). Their outdoor patio will be really nice when the weather gets warmer. For lunch their menu was $10.18 for a two-course meal including an appetizer and an entree. We decided on tortilla soup and fried yuccas for the appetizer course. The soup was just okay, but the fried yuccas with chipotle dipping sauce really hit the spot! The kids meals were $5.95 and didn’t include anything but the plain quesadilla. For my entree, I went with the chicken tostadas, and my wife decided on the Caribbean chicken salad. Both of the entrees were a little underwhelming. The tostadas tasted fresh and had great presentation, but needed some more flavor. My wife really liked the salad, especially that the chicken was very flavorful. However, the salad was very small. The most disappointing thing about this visit was the service. There was only one waitress for all of the tables. She didn’t bring out chips and salsa until we asked and she never asked what we wanted to drink. Although, once we received the chips and salsa, they were excellent and included in the lunch price. I really hope they work on their service for future customers because I definitely see some potential here!
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Jay Parrish | REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Elite
Cell: (540) 735-5564 | www.movetofred.com | jay.parrish@movetofred.com
Fredericksburg Restaurant Week – Soup and Taco II
My wife and I were able to create a spontaneous date night. (which never happens!) We were quickly trying to decide what to do and realized that it is Restaurant Week in Downtown Fredericksburg. Restaurant week has been going on in Fredericksburg for a couple years now, and is a great opportunity to try out some of the best local restaurants. Restaurants set two and three-course meals all priced at either $10.18, $20.18 or $30.18 allowing you to sample their menu. After looking at the various menus, we decided to head to Sunken Well Tavern which is well-known for its from-scratch kitchen, and we were excited! Unfortunately, when we arrived it was packed, and they were completely booked for the night! We decided to go with option number two, which is appropriately named Soup and Taco II.
We have been to both of the Downtown Soup and Taco locations and have always enjoyed their Mexican cuisine. Their menu was $20.18 for a three-course meal including appetizer, entree, and dessert. Chips and salsa were included, and we added their amazing guac and a couple of adult beverages (after all this was a rare date night). My wife got a blueberry mojito, and in her words, “one of the best drinks I’ve ever had!” It was good! I decided on chicken corn chowder soup, and she got the romaine salad with cranberries and fried banana chips. Both were excellent and just the right amount for us to split. We both chose the steak with chimichurri sauce over garlic mashed potatoes accompanied by pickled onions. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a steak at a Mexican restaurant. Usually, I go with tacos or enchiladas. All I can say is “WOW!” The steak was amazing and probably one of the best steaks I have ever had in Fredericksburg. I highly recommend you get out this week and try their steak as it isn’t on their regular menu. (We asked three different people to have them add it to their menu!) After finishing the steak, I was stuffed and had completely forgotten about the flourless chocolate cake with ice cream and raspberry sauce that was on its way. I figured out a way to make room, and it was the perfect ending to a perfect meal!
Here’s the challenge: This year they have created a Winter Restaurant Week Passport where you can win up to $250 in gift cards by going to five restaurants and getting each restaurant to stamp that you were there anytime from Jan. 12 to Jan. 21. (Plenty of time to visit even more than five!) You can print out your passport here. I hope to see you out this week. Let me know which is your favorite and why! I will keep you updated on the others that I check out, and I really hope they live up to the high bar that Soup and Taco II set!
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Jay Parrish | REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Elite
Cell: (540) 735-5564 | www.movetofred.com | jay.parrish@movetofred.com
Harry’s Alehouse: Exceptional Food and Awesome Service
It was Friday night. I was tired from the long week and looking to relax and enjoy some good food that was close by and kid friendly. Usually, this is only accomplished by going into to Central Park or heading Downtown, which can be a little much with two little ones. We had seen that Harry’s Alehouse had recently opened near us in the Harrison Crossing shopping center and had been meaning to check it out for a few weeks. I was excited at the possibility of a good non-chain restaurant and bar in our neighborhood.
As I walked in, I had a good feeling from the start. Very nice decor and I was greeted with a high five and a “How about those Redskins!!” after the hostess noticed my hat. I was feeling right at home and relaxed. It was pretty busy and we had to wait a few minutes before getting our table. We were promptly greeted by an enthusiastic waitress, who welcomed us, explained the menu, and took our drink order. We are not beer drinkers, but they have an extensive list of craft beers that is sure to satisfy the most savvy craft beer enthusiasts. I will say that my mixed drink was perfect and a great start to the meal.
After deciding between several different options on the menu, I chose the Baja Fish (Mahi Mahi) Tacos with fries, my wife the Pork Sandwich with a salad, and my daughter chose the “I’m Not Hungry” Cheeseburger and a fruit cup. We are all gluten free, and they were very accommodating and even changed the way they typically cook the fish for me. As we were talking about our week and waiting for our food, I noticed a sign saying that they are a scratch kitchen. This is pretty unique, and I was even more excited to sample the food.
Our food arrived and looked and smelled great. The presentation was excellent, and you definitely could tell there was a lot of thought and detail put into each meal. My mahi mahi tacos were exceptional and probably the best I’ve ever had! They were topped with a cilantro lime slaw (amazing!), pico de gallo, and feta cheese. The fries were perfect, and I could’ve kept eating them all night. I can’t wait to go back to for both of these again soon! My wife, who is quite the foode, thoroughly enjoyed her pork and couldn’t stop talking about the lime jicama slaw. My daughter cleaned her plate, and that speaks for itself!
I have nothing but great things to say about Harry’s! I highly recommend it as a great family restaurant with exceptional food and awesome service. Maybe I’ll see you there soon!
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Jay Parrish | REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Elite
Cell: (540) 735-5564 | www.movetofred.com | jay.parrish@movetofred.com
