WELCOME Getting Smart About Home Modifications A Webinar Series Sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Webinar #4 Quality, Affordability and Accountability? WITH Dave Porterfield, Larry Taff, and Jim Gormley

Please let us know who you are 1. Go to the “ASK” button just above our heads on your screen. Click on it and it will open a dialogue box. 2. Type in where you are listening from and how many people are listening from the same computer. 3. Questions can be asked in the same way and you may ask questions as you think of them, at any time during the presentation. We’ll generally answer questions at the end of the presentation unless there is something specific we need to clarify.

QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY? Bidding, Contracting and Getting a Fair Price

Presenters Dave Porterfield, Developer Dave Porterfield, Developer Movin’ Out, Inc. Movin’ Out, Inc. Larry Taff, CR, GCP, CAPS General Contractor Larry Taff, CR, GCP, CAPS General Contractor TZ of Madison, Inc. TZ of Madison, Inc. Jim Gormley, Attorney Jim Gormley, Attorney Foley and Lardner LLP Foley and Lardner LLP

GOALS Establish a basic understanding of: Understanding the Bidding Process, Project Management and the Construction Process Understanding the Bidding Process, Project Management and the Construction Process Elements of a Good Construction Contract Elements of a Good Construction Contract

Working with Contractors Interviewing contractors Interviewing contractors Hiring a contractor based on qualifications, references, project specifics Hiring a contractor based on qualifications, references, project specifics Competitive bidding (pros and cons) Competitive bidding (pros and cons) Getting a fair price for the work Getting a fair price for the work

Construction Contracting 101 Best ways to avoid problems encountered with projects involving home modifications or accessibility remodeling

Avoiding Problems Maintain good communication ( most important!) Maintain good communication ( most important!) Select a qualified contractor Select a qualified contractor Have a good (or any!) contract Have a good (or any!) contract Other examples Other examples

Developing Costs and Specifications Understand project cost vs. project value Understand project cost vs. project value Use available resources Use available resources

Note: Remodeling is a service, not a product There are many factors and many vendors involved in estimating a project’s costs

Understanding Remodeling Remodeling is an industry with education requirements specific to its industry (much like the social work field). Remodeling is an industry with education requirements specific to its industry (much like the social work field). Zoning, Building Permit & Inspections Zoning, Building Permit & Inspections Plans need to be developed to scale and be as accurate as possible Plans need to be developed to scale and be as accurate as possible

Understanding Remodeling Finding Contractors Finding Contractors Ask for references and call! Ask for references and call! Know what subcontractors are required for the project? Know what subcontractors are required for the project? Select contractor that matches the size of the project Select contractor that matches the size of the project

Understanding Project Cost vs. Project Value US Averages US Averages What are lenders looking for? What are lenders looking for? How to determine cost of remodel How to determine cost of remodel

Useful Remodeling Resources NARI of Madison, Inc. NARI of Madison, Inc Better Business Bureau Better Business Bureau Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection Background check websites Background check websites

Construction Contracts 101 Why have a written contract? Why have a written contract? to Measure Performance to Assign Responsibilities to Allocate Risk

What’s in a Contract 1. Parties 2. Project Description 3. Price 4. Timing – start and completion (more)

What’s in a Contract (cont.) 5. Payment procedure 6. Insurance 7. Procedure for changes in the project 8. Dispute resolution 9. Default and termination provisions

Cost of Legal Assistance (reduced fees) Local Bar Association Local Bar Association Charitable Organizations Charitable Organizations Law firms Law firms

Contract Problems What to do if contractor won’t sign the contract or can’t agree to a required provision What to do if contractor won’t sign the contract or can’t agree to a required provision Identify the issues Identify the issues Find another contractor Find another contractor

Questions? There is a short lag between the time you type a question and the time we receive the question, so let me remind you where to find this information in the future…

Getting Smart About Home Modifications Re-runs Power point presentations are located at Click on ‘learn more’ in the first paragraph of the home page which will lead you to the power point presentations. Power point presentations are located at Click on ‘learn more’ in the first paragraph of the home page which will lead you to the power point presentations. The webinar itself can be replayed by going to the DHS webcast catalogue at Once there you can search for the presentation you want by name, date or presenter. The webinar itself can be replayed by going to the DHS webcast catalogue at Once there you can search for the presentation you want by name, date or presenter.

CONTINUING WEBINAR SCHEDULE TUESDAYS 10:00 am – 11:00 am 10:00 am – 11:00 am November 10: Zoning, Permits, and Codes November 10: Zoning, Permits, and Codes November 17: Building a Ramp November 17: Building a Ramp

Thank You Please send any feedback you may have regarding the webinar series to