Ron Cohen
Experience
Ron Cohen has helped buyers find their perfect homes for nearly 20 years. In that time, he has received many accolades and glowing testimonials from satisfied buyer clients. Ron works ably in 40 Greater Boston towns and cities, listed below.
Testimonials
"Ron not only met my expectations, he blew them out of the water!" Read more...
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Experience
Ron Cohen has helped buyers find their perfect homes for nearly 20 years. In that time, he has received many accolades and glowing testimonials from satisfied buyer clients. Ron works ably in 40 Greater Boston towns and cities, listed below.
Testimonials
"Ron not only met my expectations, he blew them out of the water!" Read more...
Email Ron Cohen.
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Email Ron Cohen
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for 40 Towns
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Reams have been written about the glamorous part of remodeling — the architect's (often incomprehensible) commentary; the client's bubbling enthusiasm; the glossy magazine spreads. A lot less is said about the bumpy road most remodelers travel to arrive at a great project. Problems and surprises are endemic to the remodeling process, but they can be minimized by careful planning and a healthy dose of pragmatism. Herewith are seven rules of survival:
Discover remodeling pitfalls the painless way — by taking a class or seminar — not by living through a disastrous project. Learning from a pro is easier and a lot less expensive than enrolling in the school of hard knocks. Look for homeowner education organizations in your area, or check the architecture department of your local junior college; many have a wide variety of classes on design and remodeling topics. The days of $35 per square foot construction costs are just a distant memory now; realistically, you should allow from $200 to $300 per square foot, depending on the size, complexity, and quality of your remodel. Extensive kitchen or bath remodels will cost even more. If you plan to hire an architect, add an additional 12-15 percent fee to the total. It's easy to be seduced by trendy design, but high-fashion items are notoriously bad investments. Spend your money where it counts: on top-quality doors, windows, roofing, and exterior finishes. The frou-frou can be easily upgraded later. Finish work, especially, is not the place for on-the-job training — novice work can ruin an otherwise first-rate job. And be forewarned: Many contractors dislike sharing construction responsibilities with owners, since any tardiness on owner's part can raise havoc with the contractor's schedule. If you're confident of your time and abilities, fine; otherwise, forget it. Always ask for references, and then follow up on them. Most contractors and architects are dedicated, competent and take great pride in their work — and they'll be glad to let their references prove it. …more expense, more time, more disruption, and more problems than you planned on. Surprises of one kind or another are endemic to working with existing buildings — expect them. That 12-15 percent architect's fee may sound like a waste of money until you find yourself spending $30,000 to correct errors or add items you've forgotten. If I do say so myself, investing in a professional's experience will usually repay itself many times over. In any case, a well-detailed set of plans is an absolute must if you plan to bid the job out, since vague plans will invite many costly "extras" later on. All of the above point to two fundamentals of remodeling: Being informed, and expecting the unexpected. A little mental preparation will go a long way toward smoothing out the road to a remodel. By: Arrol Gellner December 28, 2001 Copyright 2001 Arrol Gellner, Distributed by Inman News Features |