Skolfield Homes is your full-service remodeler. We’re able to do any type of project on your home from the smallest maintenance task to the largest addition or renovation. And we’ll be there for you every step of the way. Here are a few tips for making it a smooth experience:
- Provide your contractor with pictures of the look that you are trying to achieve. You may use magazine clippings, Google image search results, or photos that you’ve taken on your own! This will help both you and your contractor get on the same page and achieve a shared understanding of the look you are going for.
- Make selections for plumbing and electrical fixtures, floor coverings, cabinets, paint colors, etc. as early as possible to establish a good foundation.
- Develop a good relationship with the superintendent and craftsmen on your job. They work very hard to achieve your dream space, and feel most motivated when they’re able to build long-lasting relationships and rapport with the clients they serve.
- No matter what contractor you may decide to hire, get used to verifying their legitimacy by performing a licensee search with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. You will be able to search any contractor’s name to determine their current license status, so you can feel confident you’ve hired a qualified person for the job without the liability.
- Know the value of fully insured workers, equipped with workers’ compensation insurance. This really does matter. There is a reason that Workers Compensation insurance is so expensive at about $7,000/year for one highly skilled carpenter. Construction is dangerous. These rates come from statistical realities, not guessing. Skolfield Home enjoys a very favorable “mod rate” as we’ve exhibited a safe working environment. Furthermore, we benefit from being a registered drug free workplace with pre-employment and random drug testing as well as maintaining a safety program. Many firms in Florida utilize a workforce theoretically with all “exempt” employees. The practical reality is that virtually all construction project have workers on the job working under someone without a true workers compensation policy. Under Florida law, worker’s compensation exemption is only extended to two additional owners that must be recorded as officers of the company and own a minimum of 10% of the company. You can verify a potential contractor’s coverage here. In doing so, you will be able to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with hiring a professional team, all while protecting yourself from potential litigation should any incidents arise.
- Ask questions! In addition to inquiring about a potential company’s construction skills, you should be learning about their management process, too, to see if they run their operation in a professional way and if they are equipped (and happy) to answer your questions and concerns.
Ultimately, the craftsmen doing the work on your home are of critical importance. We retain a high-caliber group of employees by treating them well and offering them a benefits package that speaks to our care and appreciation for them.
Preliminary budgets are critical and a necessary early ingredient in the process. We have sufficient experience to guide you in this process – just contact us today to learn more!
