Encouragement through this process

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Encouragement through this process

Carol Robinson
Member since 2026 · 1 post · 3 votes

I purchased a property in an area with steady sales. This is my 3rd through the years. I am patient with completion of the Reno. It’s not a full gut. However, the contractors, especially the electricians, are not consistent. I have one steady contractor and myself. It can be annoying. I hear this is a common complaint. 

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Kevin Sobilo
Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
3mo

@Carol Robinson, a few thoughts:

1. I appreciate that you are not doing a full gut. I think carefully considering scope of work is useful and important. 

2. Yes, contractors/tradesman are a big PIA. In my experience Plumbers/HVAC are probably the worst maybe because you need them more often. 

3. Electricians are usually easier because they are in and out quick. They might come in and knock out the rough-electrical work in a couple long days and be done with it. 

4. What kind of "consistency" are you lacking from electricians? In my experience you may have delays getting them to show up initially but then they are done with the rough work FAST. 

5. You may be able to only have the electrician do the rough work and then on the back end have your contractor, handyman or yourself install the outlets, switches, and fixtures yourself. That can be easier and cheaper. 

6. Installing yourself as in #5 can be really convenient because as rooms near completion you can get all of these installed. Its nice to have LIGHTS and outlets to use when finishing up work in different areas of the home and this way you have more control of that. 

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  • Kevin Sobilo
    Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3mo

    @Carol Robinson, a few thoughts:

    1. I appreciate that you are not doing a full gut. I think carefully considering scope of work is useful and important. 

    2. Yes, contractors/tradesman are a big PIA. In my experience Plumbers/HVAC are probably the worst maybe because you need them more often. 

    3. Electricians are usually easier because they are in and out quick. They might come in and knock out the rough-electrical work in a couple long days and be done with it. 

    4. What kind of "consistency" are you lacking from electricians? In my experience you may have delays getting them to show up initially but then they are done with the rough work FAST. 

    5. You may be able to only have the electrician do the rough work and then on the back end have your contractor, handyman or yourself install the outlets, switches, and fixtures yourself. That can be easier and cheaper. 

    6. Installing yourself as in #5 can be really convenient because as rooms near completion you can get all of these installed. Its nice to have LIGHTS and outlets to use when finishing up work in different areas of the home and this way you have more control of that. 

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    • Placeholder Placeholder
      Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 0 votes
      3mo

      @Kevin Sobilo . Thanks for that. Makes sense to take on the small stuff. Does that impede the permit process?

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    • Kevin Sobilo
      Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
      3mo
      Quote from @Placeholder Placeholder:

      @Kevin Sobilo . Thanks for that. Makes sense to take on the small stuff. Does that impede the permit process?


      1. The contractor or electrician will have pulled a permit for the electrical work. So, no difference in permitting. 

      2. This post was about PA and in PA any idiot can be a contractor and pull permits (except for a few municipalities grandfathered under old laws). 

      A ham sandwhich can be a contractor in PA as long as they pay for insurance and register with the state. 

      3. If you or someone like a handyman/contractor does the outlet, switch, fixture installs make sure they are competent at it. It is NOT hard to do, but of course you want it done well. 

      Electricians are often in a hurry, so they don't always do a high quality job installing those things anyways because nobody sees their work. Everything is closed up when they are finished! 
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  • Denise SuppleeBusiness Member
    Realtor · Willow Grove, PA · Member since 2017 · 955 posts · 635 votes
    3mo

    You're definitely not alone.

    Over the years as an investor and property manager, I've heard that same frustration from many investors. Finding good contractors is one challenge; finding good contractors who communicate well and show up consistently can be an even bigger one.

    It sounds like you're doing the right thing by being patient and building relationships with the contractors who have proven reliable. In my experience, those relationships become incredibly valuable over time.

    Wishing you the best with the renovation!

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  • Mohammed Rahman
    Real Estate Broker · New York, NY · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3mo

    I think that's a pretty common experience, unfortunately. The renovation itself is often the easy part. Coordinating contractors and keeping everyone on the same page is where a lot of the frustration comes from.

    The fact that this is your third project probably helps put things into perspective. You already know that delays happen and that not every trade is going to operate on your timeline. It doesn't make it any less annoying, though, especially when you're waiting on one contractor before the next person can move forward.

    One thing I've found is that when you come across reliable people, you hold onto them. Good contractors stay busy for a reason.

    Best of luck with the renovation, Carol!

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  • Jim Johnson
    Real Estate Agent · Memphis · Member since 2026 · 522 posts · 299 votes
    3mo

    Contractor scheduling and reliability seem to be one of the most challenges in this business, especially when you're trying to keep a renovation moving. It can definitely be frustrating when one trade becomes the bottleneck for everything else. 

    The positive takeaway is that you're on your third project, the renovation isn't a full gut and you already have one dependable contractor helping move things forward. Sometimes the projects that feel slowest in the middle end up being the ones that teach us the most about building a reliable team. 

    Finding good contractors often feels like a long-term investment. Once you identify people who communicate well, show up consistently and do quality work, those relationships become incredibly valuable for future projects. Hang in there, the finish line usually starts to feel a lot closer once the major trades are wrapped up. 

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  • Placeholder Placeholder
    Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    3mo

    This is so true. Thx

    0Reply
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