When it’s time to contract with a log home professional to work on your log home or place of business, it’s best to know a few do’s and don’ts that will assure the best possible experience for everyone. Log structures are unique and therefore require specialized skills and experience. When you bring in work crews to upgrade, repair or even build a log home or place of business, be sure that you are working with professionals that have the right experience and expertise in this very specialized niche. We’ve rounded up a few “do’s and don’ts” to help you and the people you choose to work with have the best experience possible.
Choosing your contractor
DO check references carefully. Ask to see photos of finished projects. If possible, see if you can visit a site where the contractor is currently working, or one where they have completed a job and you can talk to the owners. Check online ratings, reviews and testimonials.
DON’T choose a general contractor without experience working with log homes. Building, restoring, and maintaining log homes requires unique skills and dedication for these one-of-a-kind structures. Therefore it makes sense to hire a builder with a background in log home construction and maintenance. Look for a contractor that appreciates or understands log homes, with a solid background in general construction, experience with log home building and restoration, as well as a passion for what he does.
Negotiating a win-win contract
DO clearly negotiate the contact ahead of time to make sure you are getting exactly what you need. It’s acceptable – and reasonable – to full discuss your expectations about the project in detail before signing a contract. Discuss and agree on realistic time frames. And be upfront about whether or not you plan to be living on the premises during work.
DO discuss and agree upon the method and frequency of communication for throughout the project. Every day? Once a week? Phone, email, text?
DON’T come back and ask for more add-ons or expect for extras to be thrown in for free after the contract has been agreed upon and work has begun.
During the project
DO check in regularly, as you agreed upon during the contract negotiations.
DON’T hover. It’s OK to check in once in awhile, but constantly watching over their shoulders or loitering around the site can be distracting, cause accidents, and slow down the work.
DON’T ask for changes as the project progresses without being open to renegotiating the contract.
DON’T expect your project to look like ones you’ve seen on TV. Super-clean and super-fast is not the way most projects work in real life. Work sites get dirty. Unexpected problems almost always happen, especially when working on older log structures that have been around awhile. A reputable contractor will keep you informed of unexpected developments and discuss solutions with you, including estimated extra costs. An experience log home restoration expert might spot possible concerns ahead of time, even, and show you what to watch for and how it can be taken care of if it does become a problem as the project progresses.
Whether you own a legacy log home, are building a new one, or just need support with maintenance and care, Prolog Restorations has the knowledge, hands-on experience and focused expertise to make sure your home lasts a long, long time. To learn more about our services, request a free quote, or meet with one of our Restoration Specialists, give us a call at 877-477-6564.
