Homeowners are often exhausted by the end of a renovation — especially a long one. They just want it to be over so they can move back in and continue their lives.
But no matter what, you still need to inspect the work and list everything that isn't completely satisfactory. This list is essential for getting the job finished as it should be. You will need to identify incomplete or improperly done work, oversights by your contractor, or defects in the materials.
Don't forget, your contractor is moving on, too. He has other jobs, and he won't like being called back for little fix-ups — one at a time — as you come across them. He needs to wrap up your project so he can start the next one — the guy's got to make a living after all. Do it efficiently: Make a list.
Many people feel uncomfortable going over deficiencies with their contractor; they may have established a sort of friendship with him and they feel awkward "forcing" him to fix things they aren't satisfied with, or worse, withholding payment until those things are fixed. Don't. Your contractor won't be surprised to learn you aren't willing to pay him the final instalment under the contract until everything is satisfactory; that only makes sense to a professional.
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At the close of a renovation, the contractor should call you (and your architect or representative, and anyone else who has a stake in the success of the project) to set up a walkthrough to identify anything that remains to be done, is not up to standard or has some defect that needs attention.
He should have the latest set of plans with him and a long checklist of things to look at. This walkthrough is your chance to bring up anything that concerns you. You will look at how flat the drywall is, what the transition between the old and new work looks like, and if the doors open and close properly.
You'll be trying all the taps, filling the tub with water and running the dishwasher. You'll use the kitchen sink and load up all the closet bars with clothes. The furnace should be turned up so you can hear it running, listen to how the ductwork responds to the load, and feel the air blowing from the registers.
Try stepping on the exterior door thresholds to ensure they are solid. Look at the hardwood floor finish, the joints in the baseboard trim, the corners where the drywall sheets meet, and the cleanliness of the ceramic tile surfaces.
If you are starting to think the walkthrough might take a while, you're right. Depending on the size of the project, you should expect to spend between four hours and a full day doing it. The goal is to subject all the installations to normal use to see how they stand up.
Check sight lines
If a bedroom is part of the renovation, lay down where the bed will eventually be. Sit in the tub. Stand in front of the kitchen sink and check out what you see. You are looking for flaws in the paint or drywall, odd-looking spots on the ceiling where the stucco is badly done — anything that doesn't look right.
Check behind things
Stick your head in the kitchen cabinets and run your hand over the back of the cabinet doors. Does the finish meet the standard you were told to expect? Lift up the attic hatch. Does it stick? Look behind the new furnace. Are there holes in the drywall there? Does it look unfinished? Trace the plumbing pipes as far as you can in the basement and satisfy yourself that the installation is neat and clean.
Pull and push things
See if you can lift the countertops. Jump on the floors to check for flex or soft spots. Press on the ceramic backsplash in various places. See if you can rattle the doors when they are closed. Grab the window frame and give it a tug.
Ask lots of questions
If you have an architect, take advantage of their expertise to help you understand what you are seeing. If you don't, you should consider having a third-party expert (a home inspector, another contractor hired as a consultant) to be your advocate.
As you go through the house, the contractor should be making notes, marking up the plans and filling out his checklist where there are issues, but you should be making your own notes. A tape recorder might be handy to help you remember what was talked about.
If the list of deficiencies is long, give the contractor a couple of weeks to clean them up and try again. Whatever you do, don't rush — make sure you are happy. It's your best chance to make sure the work has been done right.
Don't make that final payment to your contractor until you are 100 per cent satisfied with the work, and until he's provided you with a final invoice showing the amount has been paid in full.
Mike Holmes is the host of Holmes on Homes on HGTV. E-mail Mike at mikeholmes@holmesonhomes.com or go to www.holmesonhomes.com.
