You may have been living in your condominium property for close to ten years now. Your kids are now nearing their teens. They have been hinting at you to have new rooms that fit their personality. They keep on telling you they are not babies anymore. You look at their rooms and you still see their toddler toys and things.
You go to your master’s bedroom. It feels old now. It doesn’t reflect your new stage in life now. Even your living room feels outdated.
So you finally decide it’s time to renovate. It will be your gift to your family and your condo as you reach your ten years in residency.
Now, where do you begin with this project? You and your family have some good ideas to start. But you need a contractor to make that dream renovation project come true. After all, you will be spending money. You want to make it right! Here are some tips to help you find a contractor for your renovation.
What to Watch out For
Many contractors might give very low estimates. It might be tempting to get them because of the price. However, you have to check if they are experienced and licensed. Some just want to get projects without thinking of the quality of output. To keep within the low price, they might even get substandard materials. This will not do you any good. Your house may be prone to damages or problems in the long run.
There are many scammers also who prey on clients who do not have much experience in construction. They will start the project and do it halfway. Then they will leave you halfway with the money in their banks.
This scheme also happens to firms who mismanage their funds. They will ask for a down payment and charge clients periodically. Firms with poor management may end up spending your payment for them or another client. The ending? They cannot finish the project anymore. The client demands to finish the project because they have already paid. Yet the contractor no longer has the means to finish. The project is then left hanging.
Some contractors seem very promising. They give you a very good design idea or blueprint. You get so excited about the design. Yet, when it comes to the actual implementation, it is not even close to what they have promised.
Indeed, there are so many horror stories in terms of contractors. You have to be very careful in selecting one.
Check Credentials and Records
Make sure that when you find a contractor, you have to check the background. Look them up on the internet. Check their portfolio. Look at past works. Have they done similar projects like the ones you want? Read up on reviews. See if there are complaints
Talk to the company and ask for their licenses. Legitimate and experienced contractors should have permits and licenses. These should be easily available and ready for the client’s checking.
Blueprint details
The experienced contractors can provide detailed drawings with architectural blueprints. It covers every square meter of the property. It also details the costs per area. They can give the actual breakdown of the expenses to be incurred. They will tell you the reasons why some parts are more expensive or not.
Less inexperienced contractors will not be able to give you full details. They might just be guessing or giving you rough estimates. The problem with that is costs may tend to escalate as you go along. They will keep on asking for more budget because they were not able to properly budget in the first place.
Agreement
To protect yourself, have an agreement or contract. The agreement should have a detailed cost breakdown and timelines. Milestones per month should be written. An experienced contractor can identify the completion time based on similar projects.
Billing and Payments
All contractors will always ask for a down payment or deposit. Some ask for 25%, others ask for a 50% deposit. Then they bill for staggered balance payments during construction. Negotiate on what works for you if you can. But never make full payment before completing the project.
When you pay, make sure you have an acknowledgment receipt signed by the receiver. Pay as per your agreement in the contract.
Thai Civil and Commercial Code
Do you know about Section 599 of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code? The code states that if there is a delay in the delivery of a contractor, the customer is entitled to withhold remuneration. It is also the same for defective work done by the contractor. The customer can withhold payment until after the contractor fixes it.
If the project has not been completed, Section 578 allows the client to withhold all pay. He can likewise terminate the contract. They can also sue for breach of contract and seek a claim for damages.
Meanwhile, Section 589 states that the materials supply should be of good quality. The contractor is liable for defects that can show up within the year.
In summary
It is important to find the right contractor for your condo renovation in Bangkok. Make sure you do proper research about the contractor you will be hiring. Furthermore, have an agreement that details the cost and commitment to finish the project. Read the contract thoroughly before agreeing. Lastly, do not pay in full unless the project is completed.
Hope these tips help. Good luck with your dream home project renovation!