Finding the right remodeling contractor you can trust and trust for your home remodeling and maintenance projects seems like a monumental task. The task can even seem daunting. After all, you are entrusting one of your greatest and most precious assets to a stranger. However, there are some simple steps you can take to eliminate 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 look for members in industry organizations such as the National Remodeling Industry Association 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 taking a name out of the phone book. Remember that big ads in the yellow pages mean nothing more than a big monthly advertising budget. Those big ads don’t necessarily identify a quality remodeling contractor (or rank a poor one).
Many remodeling contractors specialize in certain projects. A contractor may not be able to complete your project, but can refer you to another quality company that can. By making a referral, a good quality remodeling contractor is risking your 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 the time it takes the contractor to call you back. A business that doesn’t return your phone call now has long-term doubts. If you are interviewing multiple contractors, be sure to schedule appointments far enough apart so they don’t overlap. A remodeling contractor takes all of your time and attention to understand the full scope of the project and to be able to provide you with an accurate estimate.
When meeting the contractor for the first time, pay attention to his skills with people. Are you friendly, well dressed, and most of 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 like 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 themselves or your company’s past projects, they may not be taking the time to fully understand what you want. Whoever asks thoughtful and 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 the time 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 estimating. If the remodeling contractor gives you an exact price on a fairly large project in the first meeting, be careful. All project details may not be included in the budget, and once the project has started, you may be paying for “extra work.” Similarly, if the contractor returns a quote to you very quickly, it may be a sign that they do not fully understand the scope of the project. A high estimate could mean that the contractor is busy and you will pay a premium to use their business.
Also be wary of remodeling contractors who can “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, more time 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 everyone who makes the decisions 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.
