On a renovation job in Eugene, Oregon, the contractor spent the first day doing nothing that looked like work. No tools. No demolition. Just walking, measuring, and asking questions.
They checked the floors for level, tested outlets, noted how doors opened, and asked how the homeowner actually used the space. Only after that did the real work begin.
Bad contractors rush to start. Good contractors slow down to understand. The planning stage is where most problems are prevented and where trust is built.
If a contractor skips this step, the project usually pays for it later