The Benefits of a Realtor with Construction Experience

Kelly Arnold • May 20, 2020

The Benefits of a Realtor with Construction Experience

Whether it’s a newer home or a century home, removing a wall or painting trim, homebuyers or home sellers; there are so many benefits of working with a realtor with construction experience!

Home Renovations

When purchasing a newer home or a century home, there can be a lot of work that is required. I have told many clients over the years that you can do almost anything to a house as long as you have 2 things: time and money . A lot of people do not have the experience and/or knowledge to know what can be done and what is involved, especially with items that seem simple to do.

Time, Money and Knowledge

A client in the homebuying process views the perfect home for their family, but they want to remove a wall to create an open concept feel. There are dozens of items that can be affected by doing this renovation. Many people do not consider these items simply because they don’t view the home from a construction-background perspective. Also, a lot of people do not know how much work is actually involved in removing a wall. Typically, they’re not prepared for the time or costs involved to do the job properly.

For example, here are some things that you need to consider before removing a wall:

Is it a load-bearing wall?
What type of supports are required to carry the new beam?
Are there any mechanicals that need to be moved? And what mechanicals can even be moved?
Can we obtain a building permit from the City of Guelph?

Most importantly, homeowners need a contractor who knows what they are doing with a project like this. I have seen first hand when this is not done properly and it’s a big mess to fix afterwards and can be expensive. This is a fairly big job that most homeowners should not take on, on their own.

The Smaller Jobs

There are smaller jobs that can make a big difference to your home, like painting. This is a job that most people can complete on their own and it can also be done well. During the homebuying process, a house can look great when the painting throughout the home has clean lines and is free of any paint splatter or runs. However, you don’t see the items that may have been covered up. The illusion of a cosmetically appealing home can hide bigger issues.

On the contrary, there are times when you go into a home and you notice where the roller hit the ceiling or where the wall paint got on the trim and dripped down to the floor. Seeing these cosmetic flaws may cause you to think that there are other issues in the home when it could actually be fine. A realtor who understands home building and renovation can help to address any issues that may be present.

A Realtor with Construction Experience

I have over 30 years of contracting and construction experience and I also worked as a site supervisor for 10 years with a major home builder in Guelph. These past experiences have provided both myself and our team with a distinct advantage for our clients. I am able to go into a property and identify any concerns in a home, as well as suggestions on what can be done. Most importantly, I can provide insight on the approximate time and cost required.

I believe you would be hard-pressed to find another realtor with my extensive construction knowledge in our marketplace. My clients have greatly appreciated having an agent who understands what improvements need to be made and what can/can’t be done when purchasing a property. Although I don’t work on the construction-side anymore, I have a wide network of professionals that I have worked with for years and can proudly endorse. If you need any contracting, trades or services recommendations, I’m Here to Help !

I look forward to continuing to help clients during their real estate experience! If you have any questions or would like to view a property, feel free to contact me ! Thanks for reading!