Home Improvement Complaints
According to the 2019 Consumer Complaint Survey Report from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), home improvement/construction topped the list of worst home improvement complaints. It is the third consecutive year the home improvement and construction industry have ranked first in consumer complaints.
According to CFA “The financial loss that consumers can suffer when they’ve paid for work that was shoddily-done, not completed, or never even started is bad enough, but these problems can also affect their ability to live in their homes.” In a moment, we’ll explore this further.
Consumers most frequently complain about shoddy work, failure to start or complete jobs, and the failure of firms to have the required licensing or registration to complete a project.
So, why are there so many home improvement complaints in the home remodeling and construction industry? Here is what I have learned during the past 45 years in this business.
If a “Good Deal” is a requirement on your kitchen or bathroom remodel, home improvement complaints are coming your way.
Construction is not even close to a perfect science. Unlike YouTube videos, home improvement shows, and social media, you cannot press a button and a perfectly priced and scheduled job pops out (or within 10%). Worse, these media platforms give the impression that everything can be done really cheap, it will last forever, and be so gorgeous!
Remember what mom and dad said, “Don’t believe everything you hear”. The job of every media platform, YouTube to TV, is lots of subscribers. The more people watching their channel, post, or video – the more money they make. It is all about presenting topics and end results that appeal most to their audience. It is human nature to want the most for the money. So, that is what they appeal to. The problem is the stories told are filled with unrealistic and unreasonable information. This is where the trouble starts.
You cannot build a quality home in a week, completely remodel a bathroom in 3 days, or get a brand-new dream kitchen for $10,000. You will have no trouble finding all the “Contractors” you want who will make these types of promises to you. However, keep this old but very wise proverb in mind “Honesty is an expensive gift; Don’t expect it from cheap people.”
You Get What You Pay For when it Comes to Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling.
Why do you pay $30-$75 (or more) for a haircut instead of $10-$15? After all, a haircut is a haircut – right? I hear similar all the time . . . a shower remodel is a shower remodel.
Your hair is important to you. It helps define your personality – who you are and how you feel about yourself. I bet you are very specific about the person who cuts your hair. You do not want your hair messed up! It takes too long to grow back and costs more to fix it afterwards. You are never happy with a bad haircut! And you never go back!
Therefore, you do not mind paying more for a haircut from your favorite Stylist. You probably tip them well. You also listen to them regarding recommended hair products to purchase. After all, your stylist has been cutting hair for decades. You recommend all your friends and family.
It is the same for a bathroom or kitchen remodel. If you want a great job from a trusted, experienced professional, it is going to cost more. Is it worth hiring a trusted professional? One who will give you a high-quality bathroom or kitchen remodel, providing decades of trouble-free enjoyment. Consider asking one of those customer’s in the 2019 Consumer Complaint Survey Report. I bet they wish they hired DAD’s Construction!
How Do I Find A Great Contractor to Stop Home Improvement Complaints?
If you want to stay away from home improvement complaints, read What To Look for In a Contractor, How Do I Choose a Contractor and How Do I Select a Contractor. You might also enjoy reading Best Local Contractor and Unlicensed Contractor.
Any Other Advice to stop home improvement complaints?
Yes. If you want a successful remodel and avoid home improvement complaints, here are some very important things to consider.
- Read the above articles.
- Please do not call a Contractor to your house unless you are serious about doing the work soon. It is expensive to visit a perspective customer and provide a rough estimate. For just a bathroom or kitchen remodel, it costs about $902.69. Imagine 10 or 20 of those in a month. That is $9,000-$18,000! Nobody can stay in business long doing this!
- This is one of the prime reasons Contractors never get back to you or take weeks in doing so. They know you are shopping or not serious. You cannot fool them. They have decades of experience and can quickly determine who is not serious or just shopping around.
Budget. Read How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost, How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Kitchen, and How Much to Remodel My Home. Things cost what they do. In other words, “it is what it is.” You are not going to get a $25,000 bathroom remodel for $8,500 by negotiating and/or buying your own materials. You will get the $8,500 bathroom. However, do not be surprised for what waits for you down the road! Be ready for some nasty and expensive redo’s.
Contractors, just like you, must be able to feed their families, pay the rent, and keep the lights on. Overhead is not defined by the budget – it is constant. Contractors will make the same profit from the $25,000 bathroom as the $8,500 bathroom. The difference is the amount left over to actually perform the work. With the $8,500 bathroom, there is a lot less. You can always get the job done for less. However, it will not be the same job.
Be considerate of the contractors time and effort.
- Within 48 hours of receiving an estimate, always respond back with a warm appreciation. Estimates take time. A typical rough estimate for a master bathroom remodel will take anywhere from 6-12 hours to complete. That is all unpaid work! The contractor does not receive a single penny from this. Show some appreciation.
- If, in your response, you say you will get back to them in a certain period of time, follow through. You expect follow through from the Contractor – return the courtesy.
- Pay your bill on time. Provided you hired a professional Contractor, he or she has spent a lot of money on your job. It is all out of pocket. When it is time for a progress payment, pay promptly.
Contractors talk. They know each other, belong to the same professional associations, and spend time together. It is very close-knit. When your name gets out there as someone who does not pay on time, negotiates the price down, or asks for free work once the job is underway, do not be surprised at the results. In the future, be prepared for unreturned phone calls, no show appointments, and never getting the promised estimate. You should also not be surprised when all you are left with is “bottom of the barrel” Contractors.- Do not ask for multiple estimates. Estimates are time consuming and expensive to prepare. This tells the Contractor you cannot afford to do the job and are looking for a cheap way to do something. If you do this, you will likely never see the second estimate, hear back from the Contractor, or get a price that is really high.
How can I help stop home improvement complaints?
- Be nice. Nobody wants to work for a mean, disrespectful, or unappreciative person. Offer the workers a cold drink, keep the temperature comfortable in the house, and always thank them at the end of the day. You will be amazed what an enormous difference this makes.
Be flexible. Things come up during construction that nobody can anticipate. Know this going into any project. Nobody can see through walls, floors, and ceilings. When these things happen, appreciate that the Contractor told you about it and did not try to hide the fact. Accept the new completion date and appreciate the Contractors honesty. A great, ethical, and moral Contractor always looks out for you and your family’s health, safety, and security. Really appreciate the Contractor who cares deeply about you, your family, and your project.- Spread the word. When the job is completed and you are happy, post about it on Facebook, Google, Houzz, Yelp, etc. Refer the contractor to your friends and family. This will be super appreciated. This appreciation will be evident on the next job the Contractor does for you.
Always Hire a Reliable and Dependable Contractor to Remodel your Bathroom, Kitchen, and Home Interior
Always work with a trustworthy contractor like DAD’s Construction. We are experts in bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling. We remodel and manage projects in an efficient manner. DAD’s Construction will do everything to minimize the possibility of change orders. Our team will make sure we have all the necessary information to prepare a proposal that meets your requirements. Rest assured that we will provide you with a detailed, by line-item contract. We will make sure that the contents of this agreement are properly and clearly communicated to you. If you have questions or need updates regarding your project, we will always answer your inquiries.
How Can I Receive More Information on Remodeling my Home?
If you would like more information on enjoying the best bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling experience in Orange County, call Dan at (949) 380-0177 or at dan@dadsconstruction.com for a free in home consultation. DAD’s serves all of South Orange County California. This includes Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, Ladera Ranch, Irvine, San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Aliso Viejo.
