Dec/Jan 2026 Real Estate Investor Mag Dec/Jan 2026 Edition | Page 108

RENOVATIONS
RENOVATIONS

3. Insist on a detailed written contract

Handshake deals are how disputes start. A professional contract must include:
• Project scope and specifications
• Milestones and timelines
• Payment schedule linked to progress
• Insurance obligations
• Penalties for delays
• Retention terms
• Warranty details
• Dispute resolution mechanisms

“ It’ s essential that both parties understand clauses like retention or provisional sums,” says Chandré Abrahams of MBAWC.“ These details matter when things go wrong.”

4. Don’ t Be Fooled by Cheap Quotes

Low pricing often hides low quality or missing elements you’ ll pay for later.
As the BIBC notes:“ If someone competes on price alone, dig deeper. Cheap quotes often hide shortcuts.”
A good contractor is never the cheapest, they’ re the one who delivers value, safety, compliance, and longevity.

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