The success of a project depends heavily on the choice of renovation company. Perfect execution, advice, and reducing disruptions are essential requirements. The professional must meet these essential needs. Refreshments, small jobs, or in-depth renovation, it is better to avoid disappointments. So that the work is not synonymous with stress, here are the 11 renovation traps common to avoid in order to make the right choices, avoid unpleasant surprises and complete your project successfully.
Renovation trap #1: Choosing a company that doesn’t give advice
A good renovation company doesn't just carry out requests. From the first meeting, they study the request, taking into account the entire house. The professional can guide you, alert you if your choices present a risk (technical, budgetary, regulatory), or even suggest additional work if it seems wise.
Be wary of a company that says “yes to everything” without making reservations or offering solutions.
Trap #2: Hiring a professional who offers unique solutions
Materials, orientation, operation, land…, each house is different. A renovation professional acts a bit like a doctor with his patient. He takes into account the particularity of the building and prescribes his solutions according to the latter and the preferences of his client. A company which systematically offers the same materials and solutions (the same insulators, the same equipment…), will not be able to adapt to your accommodation, your needs or your budget.
Choose a tailor-made approach.
To go further, consult the article “ Renovation work, the importance of the audit »
Trap #3: Renovating without considering the whole house
Change the windows without reviewing the insulation, redo a bathroom without thinking about aging plumbing or electricity…, Superficially treating a crack or a humidity problem without looking for the cause…, these are not very useful works. The work must therefore be thought out in a global manner. The chosen professional must anticipate the disorders that could inflate the bill.
A good professional will help you take a step back to avoid inconsistent or ineffective work.
Trap No. 4: A renovation professional who doesn’t see the long term
A good, multi-skilled professional will help you prioritize. Before comfort and aesthetics, they will guide you toward essential work in the more or less long term: roofing, electrical, plumbing. They can also help you find a financing solution. This would allow you to quickly complete postponed projects, such as building an extension on your house.
Le renovation pro ideal minimizes in the long term the total cost of renovation work.
Explore this topic further with the article “ Home renovation budget: how to stick to it? »
Trap No. 5: Choosing the company(ies) without taking into account the implementation schedule
When choosing your renovation company(ies), we sometimes forget about the completion time. Some companies are overloaded and the schedules between the different parties can sometimes be difficult to combine. Define a planning realistic, knowing how to coordinate the different craftsmen and respect the order of work is the key to a successful project, carried out in the best possible way deadlines.
Choose companies that can manage a project in its entirety.
Trap #6: Choosing a company that doesn't have the required skills
Some companies say yes to everything, thinking they'll learn on the job. However, a mason isn't an electrician, a plumber isn't a drywaller, and the quality of the work suffers. Make sure the company knows how to handle the type of task you're looking to complete.
If the work involves several trades, choose a company like Maisons Sic who has all the skills in-house.
Trap #7: Not checking references or customer reviews
Nothing beats word of mouth to form an opinion on a construction companyA local, well-known company often attests to its reliability. Asking to see photos of work, visiting construction sites, meeting former clients, or looking at online reviews is a good way to form an opinion. However, be wary of overly perfect reviews, which often hide deception.
Prefer a well-established company in the South West as Maisons Sic whose 50 years of experience as house builder speak for her.
Trap #8: Choosing a company based solely on price
Le cheapest quote in the Southwest is rarely the best. It can hide incomplete services, low-end materials or work carried out at the company's discretion. Above all, you must carefully examine the clarity of the quote, the social security proposed and the details of the materials and services proposed so that everything corresponds to the expected performance and services.
Analyze the different quotes according to their quality and the details of the services and materials.
To make the right choices, rely on the article “ Renovation work: How to choose the company »
Trap #9: Neglecting qualifications and insurance
All work involves risks, but the important thing is that a company is insured for this risk. Before any work, make sure that the company has at least one decennial insurance the day it begins work. Roofing, foundation, masonry, tiling, plumbing, framework, painting, heating, etc., all of these works are covered by ten-year insurance. A good company must guarantee compliance with current standards, perfect completion of the work, and after-sales service.
Do not hesitate to take a work damage insuranceValid for 10 years, it is complementary to the ten-year guarantee. It allows for the payment of repairs before any recourse.
Trap #10: Not signing a clear and detailed contract
This is certainly the worst mistake you can make. Once you've chosen the company, you must sign the quote. For added security, the contract should also include a work schedule, a detailed description of the work, and payment terms, guarantees, and possible recourses.
A signed contract isn't optional. It protects you throughout the project and beyond.
Trap No. 11: Forgetting to check the company's legal status
The renovation world is not without its black sheep and scammers of all kinds. A good way to guard against them is to ensure that the company is properly registered and in good financial health.
A simple Siret number or extract from Kbis allows for an initial check.
You can check online platforms like Infogreffe.
These 11 pitfalls avoided will allow you to consider your renovation work more calmly and establish a real relationship of trust with the chosen professional.
