We moved into a fixer-upper two years ago. I need to save money and want to get a good contractor, but I know I can¹t afford to, so I want to do the work myself with help from a cousin who is an electrician and my brother. What kind of insurance do I need to get the permit, and what advice can you offer so we will still be speaking when the job is done?
A. Over many years, I¹ve watched relatives try to work together, and have seen only a few succeed. I couldn¹t imagine working with family members on such a complicated task, since lack of experience will lead to frustration, and it¹s tough enough working with strangers on a crew whose lives you aren¹t personally involved in. I¹ve seen families who just couldn¹t work together, no matter how hard they may try. Between the meddling and divisiveness, nothing would ever get done.
You have personalities that need to be in control, at least one who knows everything (except how to do anything), the stubborn one who won¹t listen, the quiet one who won¹t tell you that a ton of bricks is about to fall on you, the one who isn¹t happy unless he or she makes someone else miserable, the one with a gang mentality who seeks to separate others into factions ... the list goes on and on. Then there are the family non-participants who sit on the sidelines, commenting on everything. They criticize but are unable to lift a finger, unless it involves food. Walt Disney must have known this when he created the Seven Dwarfs. How they got anything done is the stuff that only happens in the movies. If you have such a family, beware.
On the other hand, I have seen, rarely, families who cooperate beautifully, each taking a different role and following one leader, who truly leads. So my first piece of advice is to form a team, decide how you¹ll accomplish tasks, plan ahead, accept that you don¹t know everything, learn as much as you can about the task before trying to build, develop a method to take out your frustrations together, then get back to work ‹ just like a good marriage.
As for insurance, it depends on several factors. Your jurisdiction wants proof of worker¹s compensation, but also asks for disability and liability insurance. You should check with your local village building department for the correct amounts and explain that you will be the owner/builder, since they also require separate licenses from contractors, electricians and plumbers. The larger towns generally require just the worker¹s compensation policy, and some allow the required rider to your homeowner¹s policy.
Be aware that home policies aren¹t as extensive as a separate policy, and if someone does suffer an injury, the costs could far exceed the limits of your home policy. You may decide not to take a chance and get a better policy, especially with less experienced workers. You may also want to film the whole project, since I rarely see anyone showing their uglier side on TV.
Best of luck.
Readers are encouraged to send questions to: HERALD Homes
2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530
Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
