We talked about some important qualities to look for in a pool contractor in our earlier posts (see Parts 1, 2 & 3), as well as specifics you should make sure are in your contract. We also talked about keeping meticulous records, so once you’ve established communication with your pool contractor, you should be proactive about establishing expectations and figuring out ongoing communication throughout the process. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that all communications are recorded carefully.
Establish Ongoing Communication Expectations
Even though it’s an important initial step in communication, talking to your contractor shouldn’t stop after a contract is in place. Be sure you’ve discussed a goal completion date as well as any problems (like weather) that may cause delays before they even start construction. Finally, when your project gets underway, you’ll want to talk about how frequently you should anticipate getting formal updates on the project’s overall progress. (Randomly asking a crew member for the latest status on the project could lead to conflict between the crew and the foremen. Use the same point person for all communications and updates instead.)
Maintain a Record of All Communications
Your home is likely one of your most valuable financial assets, therefore protecting it is worth every penny and second which you spend. While it would be ideal if you didn’t need to worry about safeguarding this asset, you must be very careful while doing any form of renovation and construction. In order to maintain all communications in one location and on record, be careful to decide the communication channel that will be utilized (voicemail, text, or email) and agree to use a single agreed-upon method regularly. (Some contractors might use a client portal for this, which enables photo uploading and communication tracking for projects.)
Maintain Your Own Records
Make sure you are aware of any necessary local permits (county/city/town) as the project develops and that you can verify the permits being properly issued. You want a paper trail in case there are any problems, so if there are any scope adjustments or requests along the road, make sure they are in writing and that any responses are in writing as well. So that you know what has previously been done and what actions will come next, keep your own journal or spreadsheet to monitor milestones and completion dates. For future reference, make sure you obtain confirmation of any warranties as well as any information or paperwork which you would need to take advantage of them should the need arise.
You can ensure that the project moves forward and that your wish list for your new outdoor retreat becomes a reality by being watchful and taking efforts to maintain excellent ongoing contact with your contractor.
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Lyon Financial
Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 500,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.
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