How to Properly Choose a Home Remodeling Contractor
Now that you understand what is expected of a home remodeling contractor, it is critical to know how to pick and choose to find the best contractor for your project and your budget.
Here are six tips for finding and selecting your professional:
Determine What Kind of Remodeling Contractor You Need
First, figure out what type of remodeling contractor you need. If you are adding a bathroom, you will want someone who specializes in bathroom remodeling but if you are adding a new chimney and fireplace you will prefer someone with a different kind of expertise. Similarly, remodeling a vintage home from the 1800s will require different skills than what are needed to add upgrades and redesigns to a modern urban loft. Define your category of professional and that will make the rest of the selection and hiring process much more efficient, streamlined and easy.
Locate Several Who Qualify
Finding contractors can be a little overwhelming, but not if you narrow down your choices beforehand. As with decisions regarding hiring any kind of pro, you will first want to seek out recommendations from trusted friends or from other professionals with whom you have a good working relationship. Your Realtor or house painter, for example, might be a good source of recommendations or leads. You can also use the phone book or get a list of remodelers though professional trade organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, or your nearby home improvement store.
Check References and Certifications
Regardless of how you find potential remodeling contractors, it is critical that you evaluate each one individually based on professional credentials and references. Double check liability and worker's compensation insurance policies by calling the insurance company, and verify professional licenses in the same manner or by asking to see current original copies of validated documents. Ask to visit sites where the contractor has done recent remodeling work, so that you can see the quality for yourself and talk to the satisfied homeowners in person.
Accept Bids and Evaluate Price and Quality
After developing a short list of contractors you can ask each of them to bid on the project in writing. Compare and contrast the bids by weighing not only the overall cost but also the quality of materials and the estimated completion times. Contractors who submit highly detailed and well-researched bids are usually more thorough and attentive to detail, so consider those telltale clues when making your final selection.
Get the Agreements in Writing
Everything the home remodeling contractor promises and agrees to do needs to be in writing, dated and signed. Before signing off on any remodeling contract, first have a qualified attorney review the paperwork and answer any questions you may have. If you need to take out a loan in order to finance the remodeling project, be sure to apply for the financing well ahead of time so that you have the cash in hand when work commences.
Secure Commitments Far in Advance
One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make when hiring a remodeling contractor is that they do not do it soon enough to ensure that work can begin on schedule. Mediocre or inferior contractors are usually sitting around waiting for the phone to ring, but the best professionals remain booked-up all year 'round. To guarantee that your remodeling contractor is ready when you are, it is vital that you plan ahead and have a contract in place. That way you don't risk losing your remodeler to another homeowner whose job will take precedence over yours and result in inconvenient delays and postponements. You may be asked to make a down payment, but if the contract is written precisely enough this should not be necessary. What is more important is to have the money ready when your contractor needs it to order supplies in time. Have the assurance that your contractor will begin by a specified deadline and you will get a good running start on your remodel.