True story:
Back in May we were siding our house, and our neighbor asked me for a quote to side his house. I gave his landlord our estimate, including what I felt was a realistic timeline for completing the work. In the end, they decided to go with someone else who told him they could get the entire front of his house sided in one day, “and the price was half” of ours.
We knew that this was a very unrealistic promise and unrealistic pricing. We told him that if they did it in a day, we would pay the whole thing! He thought we were joking and said, “Yeah, I think it will be closer to the end of the week.” (It was Thursday).
Fast-forward about 5 months. They finally started the project, and now, more than a month later, they’re still working on the siding. Our neighbor can’t believe how incredibly slow it’s going!!!
This is a perfect example of why homeowners should ask more than just “How much will it cost?” when getting estimates for a remodeling or construction project. They should also ask, “How long will it take, and what is that timeline based on?”
Be Careful of Promises That Sound Too Good to Be True
When comparing contractors, it can be tempting to choose the person who promises the lowest price or the fastest completion time. But construction doesn’t always work that way.
A realistic timeline needs to account for the size and complexity of the project, the number of workers on the job, material availability, weather, inspections, and the possibility of unexpected issues.
Sometimes a contractor can genuinely complete a project quickly. But promising an extremely short timeline without carefully evaluating the work can be a red flag.
Ask What Happens Before the Work Begins
The construction timeline isn’t necessarily the amount of time someone will physically be working at your house. There may be time needed for ordering materials, scheduling workers, obtaining permits, completing inspections, and coordinating different trades.
For example, a project might take two weeks of actual construction but have a much longer overall timeline from the time you sign the contract to the day the project is completed.
Quality Takes Time
Another important question is how the work will be done.
A contractor who takes the time to properly prepare surfaces, make careful cuts, install materials correctly, address flashing and moisture concerns, and pay attention to the details may take longer than someone who is simply trying to get the job finished as quickly as possible.
Nobody wants to watch a project drag on indefinitely. But there’s a big difference between taking too long because a contractor isn’t organized and taking the necessary time to do the job correctly.
Get the Timeline in Writing
Just like the price and scope of work, the expected timeline should be discussed before the project begins and, whenever possible, included in a written contract.
Ask questions such as:
- When will the project start?
- How long is the actual construction expected to take?
- What could cause delays?
- Who is responsible for ordering materials?
- Are permits or inspections required?
- What happens if the project takes longer than expected? Do you offer any guarantees?
A good contractor should be able to explain the timeline and communicate with you if circumstances change.
The Bottom Line
My neighbor’s experience is a good reminder that the fastest promise isn’t always the fastest completion.
When getting remodeling estimates, don’t choose a contractor based solely on the lowest price or the shortest promised timeline. Look at the whole picture: experience, workmanship, communication, materials, contract, price, and a realistic schedule.
A good contractor should be confident enough to give you a realistic timeline—even if it’s not the one you hoped to hear.
It’s better to have a realistic expectation and finish with a quality job than to be promised one day and still be waiting weeks or months later.
