Copyright Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. Jul 2005Americans spent some $25 million dollars last summer sprucing up their homes. We asked more than 1,500 subscribers about their experiences with four big home projects: finishing an attic or basement and adding an enclosed porch or a room. Seventy-eight percent said they were very satisfied and 15 percent, fairly wellsatisfied with results, though 7 percent were at least somewhat dissatisfied. Here's what worked and what didn't:
Hire pros you know. Those who hired contractors they'd worked with were happier and had fewer time and cost overruns than those who tried someone new. While readers who hired pros recommended by a friend or neighbor were more satisfied than those who hired strangers, they had as many delays and extra costs.
Do the hiring yourself. Those who hired plumbers and other pros were happier than those who left the hiring and supervising to a general contractor. Projects were likelier to be within budget and on time.
Don't change your mind. Thirty-five percent of those who made changes after work had begun ended up more than 10 percent over budget. That was a problem for only 12 percent of those who stuck with the plan. Changes led to 50 percent more delays overall.
Manage high-priced pros. Architects and designers are supposed to keep projects within budget and on time. But readers who hired them to add a room were likelier to have cost and time overruns. That makes written estimates especially crucial with these pros.
Plan for success. Roughly 30 percent of readers regretted not spending more time planning, learning more about materials, and screening pros.
* Get three bids to gauge the going rate. But don't jump at the lowest bid; readers who did generally got poorer work.
* Get references from older and recent jobs. Then check the work to see how it held up.
* Look for proper licensing and insurance. Certification from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry is a plus.
* Check the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and your state's attorney general's office for filed complaints.
* Get an estimate. It should list product, material, and labor costs and a timetable. Material and product allowances should give prices and quantities.
WHERE THE COSTS ARE
Based on a recent Consumer Reports Annual Questionnaire, here's the typical price range spent for each job, the median cost, and the percentage of respondents who paid much more and waited longer than planned for the job to be finished:
ADDING A ROOM
$15,000-$50,000
Median cost $27,000
Cost overruns 19%
Time overruns 28%
ADDING AN ENCLOSED PORCH
$4,000-$15,000
Median cost $9,000
Cost overruns 6%
Time overruns 19%
FINISHING AN ATTIC
$2,500-$19,000
Median cost $7,000
Cost overruns 17%
Time overruns 27%
FINISHING A BASEMENT
$4,000-$20,000
Median cost $10,000
Cost overruns 11%
Time overruns 24%
didyouknow?
SUMMER SAFETY COULD SAVE A LIFE
Fires, explosions, concussions, drownings-no, this isn't a lurid summer action flick. More than 178,000 Americans are injured or killed each year from pool, playground, and other yard accidents, says the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Here are tips that will help protect you and your family:
FOR GRILLS
* Replace cracked or brittle propane hoses.
* Check hoses for gas leaks by applying dishwashing soap and water; bubbles indicate leaks.
* Never start a charcoal fire with gasoline.
* Never add fluid after the fire has started; the flame can follow the stream to its source.
FOR PLAY EQUIPMENT
* Don't let children wear clothing with drawstrings, which can get caught in the equipment.
* Lay shock-absorbing material at least 6 feet in all directions. Depth depends on the material and eguipment height; a 7-foot play center requires at least 9 inches of wood chips or 12 inches of fine gravel, for example. (See Publication No. 325 at www.cpsc.gov for more info.)
* Cover protruding bolts and other sharp edges.
* Be sure platforms, ramps, and slides have guardrails.
FOR POOLS
* Check the pool first if a child is missing. Watch the area when anyone is swimming; use a pool alarm when pools are empty.
* Keep life preservers, rescue hooks, and a cordless phone with emergency numbers near.
* Drain wading pools when not in use; turn them upside down.
* Use a self-locking fence or gate. Check local rules; call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 or check online for guidelines.
FOR GARDEN EQUIPMENT
* Carry ladders horizontally, not upright; ladders can cause electrocution if they touch overhead power lines.
* Use ground-fault circuit interrupters on outdoor outlets; you'll find them at hardware and other home stores.
* Wear sturdy shoes and eye and ear protection when mowing, trimming, and blowing leaves. Mow when grass is dry.
* Aim blowers away from walls and other surfaces to avoid being hit by ricocheting objects.
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