New Model
NEW MODEL FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS OFFERS HOMEOWNERS BIG SAVINGS AND REDUCED RISK
Homeowners planning a home improvement project face a dizzying array of choices. By far the most important decision is who to rely on at the out set to be begin the project. Traditionally, homeowners have had four choices: an architect, a builder, a design/build firm, or a do it yourself. Each of these traditional approaches poses potential pitfalls, which make home improvement horror stories legendary.
Problems with Architects
Starting your project by hiring an architect can offer sophistication in design, but architects tend to get carried away and forget about cost. As a result, homeowners too often discover that they have invested thousands of dollars and many months for a beautiful set of architectural plans that turnout to be far beyond their budget. Ratcheting the project back to stay within budget is a painful process and an utter waste of time. Often homeowners must go back to square one and start all over.
Problems with Contractors
Starting with hiring a contractor may help to control costs, but too often contractors lack of flair for design produces projects that are aesthetically lacking (sometimes even double ugly). In addition, most general contractors demand one‑third of the money up front, which exposes the homeowner to significant financial risk. The worst home improvement nightmare is the contractor who abandons the project halfway through as the result of fraud, incompetence, or insolvency.
Problems with Design & Build Firms
Relying on a design/build firm provides homeowners a one‑stop shopping and avoids potential disputes between the architect and the builder. However, most design/build firms discourage or even prohibit homeowners from seeking competitive bids for construction. At best, homeowners who rely on a design/build firm place all their eggs in one basket from the very start.
Act as a General Contractor
At worst, homeowners find themselves captive to construction prices dictated by the firm that developed the design. Homeowners can save significant money by acting as their own general contractor, by avoiding the 25% to 35% that general contractors typically add to direct costs. However, ignorance about the construction industry, subcontractors qualifications, and prevailing costs makes most homeowners leery about being their own GC.
Avoid Problems with HIBO
As building costs continue to spiral, the stakes get higher and higher for homeowners undertaking home improvements. To help homeowners in the DC area save money and reduce risks, a small business in Falls Church, VA has developed and perfected a fresh alternative; Home Improvements By Owner.
HIBO has applied more than 40 years experience in the building industry to offer homeowners a new and better way to build major construction and remodeling projects. For the first time, HIBO makes professional consulting and management tools directly available to homeowners who demand top‑notch work but refuse to pay premium prices.
Experience has proven that HIBO’s new model works. Over the past decade, HIBO has helped more than 100 homeowners save money and reduce their risks in home improvement projects. But HIBO’s model is not right for every homeowner. The HIBO model requires that homeowners to take some responsibility themselves over the course of their project. HIBO empowers homeowners to act as their own General Contractor, which allows them to save the significant markup that general contractors typically add on to direct costs.
