Work & Finance

Translating Contractor-Speak

It was supposed to be a quickie kitchen upgrade: Install new appliances, replace the counter and backsplash, and then bang down some new linoleum. Three weeks tops, our contractor told us. Which was perfect, because my mother-in-law was going to be away from her apartment at the same time, so we moved in. Then came the delays: missing parts, absent workers, overbooked subcontractors. As those three weeks stretched into two and a half months, my mother-in-law came home and we were all living together…mornings, nights, and weekends. Yes, I had fallen for the fantasy of the efficient contractor. But now I know better. (Learn How to Survive a Home Renovation and How to Pay For It.) To avoid getting taken for a ride yourself, study this guide to contractor-speak.

When a Contractor Says… “We’ll just need three weeks for this job.”
He Really Means… “But not three weeks in a row.”
So You Should Know… How can you get your job done on time? As much as it may gall you, create an incentive: Negotiate an on-time bonus in your contract.


When a Contractor Says… “I’ll use builder’s models throughout the job.”
He Really Means… “You’re cool with a hand-crank dishwasher, right?”
So You Should Know… The builder’s model, or standard model, of an appliance or any other item is usually the most basic, generic model available. Your entire job will move more smoothly if you personally select all of your appliances and styles, and, if possible, order them, before your contractor starts.
 

When a Contractor Says… “I’ll have to call the painter and see what the holdup is.”
He Really Means… “I owe him money, and he won’t work until I get square.”
So You Should Know… Some contractors will use your payments to cover unfinished pieces of their last job, and then wait until the next client’s money comes in to pay subcontractors for your work. Ask your contractor if he has credit with his suppliers, and get the names of his subcontractors so you can ask them yourself why they haven’t shown up.


When a Contractor Says… “Yeah, it looks a little slanted now, but you won’t notice that when we’re done.”
He Really Means… “Because it’ll be the straightest thing in the room.”
So You Should Know… If something doesn’t look right to you, don’t wait until the job is done to ask for a fix. Check up on the work as often as you can, demand fixes immediately, and never, ever pay for work that is not done to your specs.


When a Contractor Says… “Your job is substantially complete. Just a few final touchups left.”
He Really Means… “We’re going to be a couple of months. Why don’t you go get me a sandwich?”
So You Should Know… According to standard contracts, when a job is determined to be substantially complete, the contractor is entitled to the balance of his pay. So make sure you negotiate exactly what ­“substantially complete” will mean before anyone starts hammering.


When a Contractor Says… “We’ll clean up everything when we’re done.”
He Really Means… “Right after we cure cancer.”
So You Should Know… In industry surveys, many customers say their contractors left a mess, while most contractors say they cleaned up fine. This comes down to expectations, so establish in advance where the drop cloths will go and which parts of the house are off-limits to workers.