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'Quit watching HGTV': Professional contractors and tradesmen share the biggest issues they experience with homeowners

Are you planning on hiring a professional for some work around your home? Then you better read up! 

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Posted by Elna McHilderson
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  • We need our tradesmen. Can you imagine a world where nobody knows how to do plumbing? Or roofing? Like, what would you do then? Try to do it yourself? That will take much longer and be way more expensive in the long run. Unless you already have some training, it would behoove you to hire a professional. Especially if you're working with an old home that needs very specific care. YouTube, Google, and HGTV can only get you so far, my friend. Tradesmen have the years of experience and expertise that can get the job done. 

    Okay, so you've hired a professional. Good on you! Now what? Have you ever had a professional tradesman come work on your property before? There is a proper edict. You can't just come in hot being all Karen and yelling at them to fix this and that. There are steps and courtesies. And believe me, you don't want to be mean to them, they can undo anything just as much as they can build and repair. Luckily, some tradesmen and contractors have come to Reddit to share their dos and don'ts for homeowners. See below!  

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  • 1
    The "do's & don'ts" when working with service pros for new homeowners.
    Via dvidshub via nara.getarchive
  • 2
    What would you like to tell homeowners to start/stop doing? After coming across this post in r/handyman*:* "What are some things customers do that you off." I thought about how I would never tolerate any such things in my workplace...why then as a homeowner am I guilty of some of the things mentioned in the thread? I'd like to create and share a list of "do's & don'ts when working with service pros" for new homeowners. So far I've gathered the list below:
    Via Mycasaesmideath
  • 3
    Do: • Document and communicate your expectations clearly • Double check that your ready a couple days ahead • Clear the work area of personal things before they arrive • Ask clarifying questions, but don't question their expertise
    Via Mycasaesmideath
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  • 4
    Don't: • Ask a pro to watch your kids • Stand there looking over their shoulder • Try to renegotiate pricing and scope after the work has started • Assume you know exactly what needs to be done Forget your home is unique, what you read on Google may not always apply What would you add/remove/change based on your own experiences?
    Via Mycasaesmideath
  • 5
    PutPersonal2253 6h ago Make sure there is parking close to the home. Move your own vehicle if needed. Please put your dogs and cats away in a room with a closed door. I get told all the time to not let the cat/s out. So now I'm in charge of watching your cats??!! Of course they want to run away once I get the skilsaw out. 숩 12 Reply ...
    Via PutPersonal2253
  • 6
    Chedda3PO 6h ago Do value my time, don't forget you are paying for my expertise as well. +9⇓ Reply
    Via Chedda3PO
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  • 7
    OldManOnThelce • 5h ago Don't treat the architect's opinion like it is the end all be all truth. The guy who spends his life in the field BUILDING things might actually be correct. ↑ 8 Reply
    Via OldManOnTheIce
  • 8
    Totally-jag2598 • 5h ago I personally would just like for once, to go into a project where the homeowner didn't try to do the work themselves and realized midway through they didn't have the skills and needed to call someone. It taking over a project that is totally jacked up. No.... I can't reused the materials or any of your work. I have to start over. No. I can't discount the work because it's already partially done. Look, if you want me to do it, I'm happy to start over and do it right. Or y
    Via Totally-jag2598
  • 9
    adamirony 5h ago "While you're here...." This drives me crazy. If you want something done, tell your contractor ahead of time so they can budget time and materials for your "honey do" 843 ☐ Reply ...
    Via adamirony
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  • 10
    somethingforme1174 • 1h ago Quit I watching HGTV and thinking a whole kitchen remodel will be done in 2 weeks and a new set of kitchen cabinets only cost $5,000 413 Reply
    Via somethingfromme1174
  • 11
    n_xSyld • 5h ago Previous owners half-assed our house so now I need to spend $$$ to undo their to fix what they tried to fix, which is now even worse ○ ↑ 1 ⇓ Reply icaruslives465 • 4h ago Not to mention they think they added value because they "renoed". Now I'm paying more for my house and more to fix it properly myself lol ㅇ 15 Reply n_xSyld .4h ago 100%, I'll take photos when I get home if I remember but like, our second floor is unusable and our bathroom is probably growing mold ↑ 1 B Reply
    Via n_xSyld
  • 12
    Lanemarq 3h ago Also, all of those items puts me behind schedule on my next project. Remember when you were super annoyed it was going to be another week or two before I could start because the last person did this?! Now that we are at the end of the project you want to add on a week's worth of work and screw up my schedule for the next project? ㅇ 15 Reply
    Via lanmarq

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homeowner costs real estate agent karens blue collar employee buying land tradie working in trades new homebuyer tradesman new homeowner trade work homeowner homeownership house hunting dos and donts helpful new homeowners blue collar workers owning a home buying a house blue collar worker story reddit karen young blue collar homebuyer real estate home improvement How To senior blue collar karens in the wild entitled karen karma new homebuyers r-entitled Reddit owning a house karen story blue collar new home karen housing market hgtv entitled people buying a new home

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