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Although a lovely idea, the screened-in porch was a DIY job that was aging poorly — with peeling floors and a door that didn’t function properly. But the real issue was that the local weather made the space unusable for more than half the year. Still, it was never the right moment to tackle a disruptive home improvement project. Then, COVID hit. Kinsman, a former Andersen employee, and her 14-year-old daughter, Grace, spent the early months of lockdown at Kinsman’ mother’s home in Florida where a breezy lanai served as their office/schoolroom. It proved to be a bonding experience and prompted Kinsman to ask herself, “What am I waiting for?” When they got home, she was ready to tackle the long-delayed project.
Here’s her story and tips on surviving a home improvement project.
Here’s her story and tips on surviving a home improvement project.
Finding a good contractor
Getting started was the barrier that had stopped Kinsman all those years. To overcome it, she asked personal contacts for a contractor recommendation and found a good match that way. “You know when a contractor comes into your home if they’re the right person based on how they listen to you,” she said.
In her experience, these are three signs of a good contractor:
- Good listening skills: “The right person will defer to you on decisions versus just trying to get things done quickly,” she said.
- Adaptable style: “Some homeowners want to be super involved and others less so — a good contractor can work with either end of the spectrum,” she said.
- Local knowledge: “Look for someone who’s known in the community and who has worked on houses like yours,” she said.
Mostly, she thinks the key to hiring a good contractor is trusting your gut at the first meeting.
