Things to Consider When Hiring a Remodeling Contractor
Thinking about remodeling your home? Just like building a home, there’s a lot to think about when going through the remodeling process. While the beautiful images and possibilities of your newly remodeled room or rooms swirl in your head, there’s something important you must do first: choose a contractor.
You want to choose a trusted remodeling contractor with experience, innovation, commitment, quality service, reliability, communication skills, and a breathtaking portfolio. Whether it’s an easy or complicated remodeling job ahead, you want to make sure you’re hiring a qualified, state licensed, insured contractor (and subcontractors).
For this article, we wanted to share with you some tips and things to keep in mind while searching for and hiring a remodeling contractor.
- Ask family and friends for a recommendation of a remodeling contractor. They will be honest with you about who they trusted and who delivered quality, impressive work.
- Search the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of contractors local to you. This is a trusted list.
- Contact the state’s consumer protection agency and Better Business Bureau to learn of any potential disputes or problems in the past with other clients or subcontractors.
- Come up with a list of contractors to research and contact.
- When contacting a contractor ask/think of the following:
- Can I get the contact info of your previous clients?
- Can you take on the size project I am discussing?
- How long have you been remodeling homes?
- How long have you worked with these subcontractors?
- How many projects do you work on at a time?
- Can you provide financial references from suppliers/banks?
- Meet with the contractor in person and see if you can communicate well and effectively with him/her and the team. During this meeting discuss your project and estimates.
- Look at pictures and/or visit job sites to get a better idea of how the contractor and his/her workers work.
- Get a break down of cost of materials, labor, profit margins, and any other expenses.
- Work with the contractor and his accounting department to figure out a payment schedule. Usually, a large project requires a 10 percent deposit at signing followed by 3 to 4 other payments spread throughout the projects and after the work is done.
- Focus on competence, communication, comfort, quality, and trust more than the contractor’s estimate for the project. The contractor who gives you the lowest estimate doesn’t always give you the best deal – there could be a red flag there of why they’re giving you such a low price.
- Create a contract with the contractor that details every step of the project from start to finish including payment schedule, proof of insurances (liability, worker’s compensation), proof of state license to work, a start date, a projected end date, and the materials to be used.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy, reliable contractor, look no further. Luxury Home Solutions are experts in the custom home building and remodeling field. To view LHS client testimonials, click here. To view some remodeling work, click here. LHS is a licensed custom home builder and remodeling contractor who does work in Naples, Fort Myers, Estero, and other Southwest Florida cities. To connect with LHS, click here or call 239-728-2143.
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