A home renovation project is a major undertaking that can be a very stressful time for the whole family. You will have to deal with disruption in the home, messiness, and the cost of the project. For a major home renovation project, most homeowners will opt for a professional home renovations contractor.
When hiring a renovations contractor, it is important to find an honest, experienced, professional who will do a great job that you absolutely love. It can be difficult to find the right contractor for your needs as there is much to consider. To help with your search, below you will find some tips on how to identify and choose the right home renovations contractor.
Home Renovation Project Needs
When searching for a contractor, you should consider the type of project and focus on the contractors that have experience in this type of renovation. A professional, trusted contractor should be able to give you photos of past projects that are similar to your project. It is important to make sure that the contractor you hire is experienced in all areas of your project. For instance, you shouldn’t hire a contractor for a kitchen renovation if the contractor only has experience in renovating bedrooms and basements.
Recommendations
It is very helpful to ask someone you know, such as a neighbor, friends, family, and coworkers, if they have hired any good contractors for a renovation project. They will know all about the work, quality of materials, costs, project timeline, and professionalism of the contractor. You can also check the Better Business Bureau, consumer protection agency, and contractor associations.
Contractor Interviews
Once you have a small list of contractors, call them and ask them questions over the phone. Ask them for: references, if they do your type of renovation project, if they provide a list of previous clients and photos of their completed projects, and if they are licensed and certified to do contractor work.
Check reviews and references
Any references provided should be checked. You can even call past clients to ask about their experience with the contractor and if they were satisfied with the job and costs. Also, check a contractor’s reviews and Better Business Bureau profile to obtain information about their complaint history and customer reviews.
Multiple Project Bids
Once you have narrowed your search to three or four contractors, meet with them to explain what kind of work you want, and ask pertinent questions. A good contractor will want a set of blueprints, and also what homeowners want out of a project and what they plan to spend. You can then ask for estimates. It is important to get multiple bids so you know you are getting a fair bid. The contractors should break down the cost of labor, materials, and other expenses.
Contract
When you finally select a contractor, get them to write up a contract that details every step of the project, including, payment schedule, materials and products, labor, proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation payments, a start date and projected completion date, and a requirement that the contractor obtain lien releases which protect you if the contractor does not.
Because unexpected things can happen during a renovation project, it is important that you financially protect your appliances, home systems, and electronics. A home warranty plan is ideal. A home warranty is a plan that provides coverage for unforeseen repair bills for items covered under the particular agreement that would not normally be covered under homeowners insurance or manufacturer’s warranty.
Because you want to make your home renovations project a success, when hiring a contractor it is better to spend more and get a trusted, professional you’re comfortable with and knows the job.