Anyone who has attempted a home renovation will attest to the fact that it can be a highly stressful process. “What you might not realise, is that it can be just as stressful for your contractor as it is for you,” says Graeme Steen, chief operations officer at Kandua.com, South Africa’s largest online marketplace for home services.
“We have over 20 000 vetted home service pros on our platform – everything from plumbers to interior decorators – and we speak to them regularly to understand how we can help them build their businesses. These independent contractors and small businesses take huge pride in their work, and they want everything to run as smoothly as you do.”
According to Steen, these are the six things your home service pro wants you to know before starting your home improvement project:
Your changes are not the issue – your timing is.
Pros know that you might change your mind on decisions such as the paint colour of your walls. “The key is to speak to your contractor as soon as possible and to make sure you understand the consequences of the change before you pull the trigger,” advises Steen. “Seemingly simple changes can have cascading effects on your project. It could mean undoing or redoing work, which increases material and labour costs, and could also affect timelines, especially if key subcontractors are no longer available on planned dates.”
Honest budgeting
That good old saying ‘champagne taste on a beer budget’ applies to home renovations too. “When contacting a pro, it’s important that you share an honest budget and have realistic expectations aligned to these. You also need to factor in any delays or breakages which can happen during home renovation projects and keep tabs on invoices as you go along,” says Steen. “The general rule of thumb is to add at least 10% to your budget – just to be safe and ensure open lines of communication throughout the project.”
Some things are out of our control
“Uncontrollable factors such as weather, permits and the delivery of custom items can create time delays. These things are out of contractors’ control and added time should be factored into your project just in case.”
There’s a reason the pros choose certain materials
“Your contractor often has decades of experience working with different types of materials, brands and products. This is where you need to trust their hard-earned experience and resist the temptation to go bargain-hunting,” cautions Steen. As many home service businesses in South Africa have limited cash on hand, it’s not uncommon for them to ask customers to supply the needed materials, such as paint or plaster. “You can save yourself headaches down the line if you ask your pro what specific products they prefer and get those. Quality is the key to a successful, long-lasting home renovation.”
A picture is worth a thousand words
Clear communication on complicated projects can be tricky. “Add to this a host of unfamiliar construction or trade-specific terminology, cultural and language differences, and the power imbalances between the customer and the service provider and it’s no surprise that misunderstandings arise,” explains Steen. “Use pictures to help explain what you want, ask plenty of questions, and schedule regular set times to review the work with your pro.” For bigger projects, Steen also suggests taking photos and keeping a journal of the progress.
Your feedback matters
If you’re happy with the work, there are two meaningful ways to say thank you. “The first is to pay on time and in full. The second is to leave a good review or give your pro a referral,” says Steen. “Your review helps a deserving contractor secure more work opportunities and provide for his or her family.”
Photo: supplied
