Owning a vacation home in the Adirondacks is a dream come true but it can quickly turn into a headache when you need to make repairs, especially if you don’t live locally. Hiring a contractor is often the solution but this can have its own set of challenges.
The key to success can be in the planning, but it’s also important to take a few cautionary steps.
At one time in the Adirondacks it was customary to do everything on a handshake. Those times are gone, and if someone takes affront at wanting a few assurances, then that’s a good indication that you probably didn’t want them working for you anyway.
Here are some key things vacation homeowners should consider to help your project go smoothly:
Plan Ahead:
The type of work you need to have done can affect how long in advance you need to schedule it. Some professionals such as electricians or plumbers can be hard to find, so if you can, give yourself some extra time to get the work done.
Include the Weather:
In the north country, weather can change schedules dramatically. Aside from the evident facts such as the ice and snow of winter curtailing or slowing many projects, the timing and intensity of a season can affect things. A particularly cold winter followed by a cold spring and cool summer can affect how quickly snow melts, for instance, and may result in high water levels that prevent docks from being put in. This in turn can result in too little time for dock professionals to get everyone’s dock in the water before the season starts. Make sure you take the weather into account when planning, especially if you are renting so that you can set your renter’s expectations.
Research:
Investigate possible contractors online. In particular, look at reviews, with a critical eye toward possible fake reviews. But don’t forget to ask neighbors as well. In the Adirondacks, many contractors do not have a web presence and very few know how to effectively communicate online. As a result, their online presence may not accurately reflect how they actually do business. If you don’t ask neighbors and acquaintances you may select the fake hiding among the diamonds or miss the hidden gem.
Once you’ve narrowed the field, interview your prospective contractors and ask for references, including people that are fine with having you contact them directly. Ask these references pointed questions such as what was the quality of work, whether the work was done on time and on budget, and their personal feelings about how the relationship worked. Were they happy?
Know the Local Rules:
Sometimes it seems like there’s a rule for everything, and it’s all too easy to overlook something because you are not aware of a law or rule. This is particularly the case when you have lakefront property where special rules for septic systems, fertilizer, and de-icers often apply. Make sure you are aware of these special rules and that your contractors are aware too. Ensure they are also getting the necessary permits and following all the necessary building codes and getting all needed inspections.
Get Estimates:
Before you start work or provide a payment, get a written estimate including labor, materials, timeline, and payment schedule. Many people tend to go with three estimates, and while people often throw out the high and low estimates, don’t use price as your only metric. Many other factors should come into play such as completeness of the estimate, licensing, experience, referrals, testimonials, and if you’re a good judge of character, your own gut feeling.
Have a Local Contact:
Have a relationship with a friend or neighbor that can stop by to make sure the work is being done and done properly. Let your contractor know about this in a matter-of-fact manner. People often have a tendency to be more responsible when they think someone is looking over their shoulder, and this can give you peace-of-mind knowing that work is being done in a timely and professional manner.
If you don’t know anyone nearby, then it may be a good idea to find a property manager that can oversee projects for you. In this case they may have or be able to find trusted partners to perform the work.
Payments:
Never pay for everything in advance. For installations and very small projects most contractors want to be paid on completion, although many are happy with invoicing you. In this case note that there is frequently a trip charge. For small projects it’s customary to require payment of half in advance and half on completion, but for larger projects you make want to split payments up into thirds or quarters. On very large projects you may want to split it even further, setting milestones for project steps and payments.
Keep in mind, if things start to go way over budget, it might be time to call in a second opinion or simply stop work until you figure out what’s going wrong.
Plan Your Communications:
Set up a system for regular updates. Regularly scheduled progress photos or video calls can be very important for this, but again, make sure to have local eyes on the project as well. AI can do amazing things nowadays, and not always in a good way.
Stick With What Works:
Once you’ve found the perfect contractor, pump them for referrals for other local professionals in related industries. The contractor that did a fantastic job adding your new deck probably knows a good plumber or electrician and since they don’t want to tarnish their own reputation, they are unlikely to refer someone unless they know and trust them.
Stay Top of Mind:
If your plumber came in under budget or did a particularly fine job, then remember them during the holidays or some other noteworthy time. A thoughtful gift and a handwritten note can help ensure that you stay top-of-mind with them, so that when you have an emergency they will be much more inclined to fit you in.
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Thanks so much and have a fantastic day!
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