Finding the right remodeling contractor that you can trust for your home remodeling and maintenance projects seems like a monumental task. The task may even seem overwhelming. After all, you are entrusting one of your biggest and most precious assets to a stranger. However, there are some simple steps you can take that will remove much of the uncertainty.
One of the best ways to find a good, reliable remodeling contractor is to ask your friends and family who have worked with remodelers in the past. They can give you a good idea of how the project progressed and how they felt about the remodeling contractor who completed the project.
Another source for quality home improvement specialists is to seek membership in industry organizations such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry or the National Kitchen and Bath Association. These types of organizations set higher standards for their members. This can be a much better method than pulling a name out of the phone book. Remember that large ads in the yellow pages mean nothing more than a large monthly advertising budget. Those big ads don’t necessarily identify a quality remodeling contractor (nor do they rank a poor one).
Many remodeling contractors specialize in certain projects. A contractor may not be able to do your project, but they can refer you to another quality company that can. By making a recommendation, a good quality remodeling contractor is risking his personal reputation and will most likely recommend you to a company similar to yours.
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential remodeling contractors, contact those companies to schedule an appointment. If you must leave a message, pay attention to how long it takes for the contractor to call you back. A company that doesn’t return your phone call now is dodgy in the long run. If you’re interviewing multiple contractors, be sure to schedule the appointments far enough apart so they don’t overlap. A remodeling contractor needs your full time and attention to understand the full scope of the project in order to provide you with an accurate estimate.
When meeting the contractor for the first time, pay attention to his social skills. Is he or she friendly, well-dressed, and above all, prepared? The contractor should be able to provide you with the essentials for doing business with your company: a contractor’s license, business license, insurance information, references, and photos of previous projects completed by your company are a start. Memberships in organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, the National Remodeling Industry Association, and the local Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few, indicate professionalism and interest in the community and industry.
Be prepared to discuss your proposed project in detail. Written notes, simple drawings, and pictures from magazines and books can help the contractor better understand your vision for the project. Pay attention here to how the contractor behaves. If he or she monopolizes the conversation by talking about himself or your company’s past projects, he or she may not be taking the time to fully understand what you want. Someone who asks thoughtful, probing questions to better understand your vision will gain a deep understanding of the project. Active listening is a key prerequisite for any remodeling contractor.
Use the time between your meeting and when the contractor contacts you with a quote to do some research. Check with your state licensing board, your city or county board of contractors, the Better Business Bureau, and follow up with references. You can even ask to see some projects, if possible.
The remodeling contractor must provide you with a written estimate. The budget should detail the work to be done and the materials to be used. A detailed written estimate eliminates the possibility of misunderstandings in the future.
Here are a couple of caveats about estimation. If the remodeling contractor gives you an exact price on a fairly large project at the first meeting, be careful. All project details may not be included in the quote, and once the project has started, you may be paying for “additional work.” Also, if the contractor returns an estimate to you very quickly, it may be a sign that he does not fully understand the scope of the project. A high estimate could mean that the contractor is busy and that you will pay a premium to use his company.
Also be suspicious of remodeling contractors who may “start tomorrow.” This is a sign that they have no other job and may be desperate. Most jobs will take at least a few days to gather materials and plan the job, longer for more complicated jobs or jobs with special order materials.
Once you’ve done your homework, it’s time to make a decision. Sit down with all the decision makers and, for each remodeling contractor, discuss the positives and negatives. Find the contractor that best suits you and your project. You should quickly find your answer.
Finding a quality remodeling contractor will take some time, patience, and work on your part, but it is well worth the effort. A good quality remodeling contractor will help you improve your greatest asset: your home.
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