#21 This Is My View From The Bathroom Floor, Looking At The Hole In The Ceiling I Just Fell Through
However, Derek Walczak, Forbes Home Advisory Board member and owner and general contractor at Walczak Design + Build, says not to get your hopes up about lower pricing or more flexible workers' schedules just yet.
If you do find contractors that offer these seemingly too-good-to-be-true features, he advises to approach them with caution. "Pricing is a product of cost to operate, materials and, of course, cost to do the build. I don’t see any of those factors decreasing."
"As a design and build collaborative, we do not mark up our services based on a booked pipeline or availability," Walczak explains. "With that being said, there might be contractors out there that are in need of work and [are] willing to lower their [prices]."
Walczak notes you shoul bde wary in these instances, “I would caution homeowners to ask what is being excluded from the scope and what steps may be skipped to make up for the decrease in price."
#28 Went Under The Porch To Get The Decorations Today, Turns Out Wasps Have Been Squatting…
#29 After Ripping Out My Front Door, I Learn There Are Different Sizes For Doors
So what does this mean for current homeowners? Is now a good time to renovate or purchase a home?
Although the housing market is uncertain, if you do decide to renovate, Walczak recommends keeping high-impact, high-ROI home improvement projects at the top of the priority list, while also considering how long you plan on staying in your current home to further inform you on what projects are worth it and achievable.
Walczak says that a good starting place could be remodeling kitchens and bathrooms because both typically add value and improve your daily experience within your home.
If you do decide to renovate, keep the long-term in mind, specifically if you are thinking about moving in the (near) future. “In the next five to 10 years, the neighborhood could completely change, so as long as you’re smart about any renovation and the construction is well thought out and designed, then you should make your money back and have better everyday quality of life for your family," Walczak says.
