The remodeling professional you hire is one of the biggest factors in a successful remodeling project. In fact, choosing the right remodeling contractor can be the difference between a long-lasting renovation or construction that stands the test of time and one that you have to redo within a few short years. Looking at pricing alone won’t do it, either. The lowest bid is not necessarily the best value. Also, asking the right questions up front can prevent costly surprises during your construction project.
Choosing the Right Remodeling Contractor and Why It Matters
Your renovation partner is the one responsible for completing your construction project. You need one who has the experience and tools necessary to get the job done right: one you can count on for a project that fits your dreams.
The Risks of Hiring Based on Price Alone
If the only thing you look at is the bottom line, it may not take long before you run into trouble. First and foremost, not every bid includes the same elements. In this case, it can include cleanup, materials used, and even prep work for the project. Second, while a low price doesn’t always mean low-quality work, it can mean a lack of experience or lower-grade materials. All these elements can interfere with the final project.
What a Qualified Renovation Partner Brings to the Project
A qualified remodeling contractor brings more than just basic skills to the project. They have experience with projects like yours, which translates to advice about the best materials and methods. They deliver quality work backed by insurance and guarantees, ensuring they’ll fix any issues that arise.
Question #1: Are You Licensed and Insured?
Licensing means your home improvement professional has met state and local standards to carry out your project. If they don’t have that license, they may not be able to officially complete those types of work in your area—and they certainly do not have insurance coverage.
Types of Insurance Every Remodeler Should Have
When selecting the right remodeling contractor, it is best to ensure they have all the essential types of insurance. Here are the ones that really matter:
- General liability insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Commercial auto insurance
In addition, some professionals may carry additional protection that decreases their risk and yours throughout the project.
Question #2: Can You Show Similar Completed Projects?
A look at past projects can show you the type of work your renovator does and give you a better idea of whether this is the company you want to work with. Start by thoroughly reviewing their portfolio. Pay particular attention to the types of details that matter most to you in your finished project.
Asking for References
As you choose the right remodeling contractor for your project, ask to speak with previous customers, if possible. Customers can share their experiences, both positive and negative, to help inform your decision about the home improvement professional. Ask for professional references regarding the project’s timely completion, cleanup, and other key elements.
Question #3: What Does Your Estimate Include?
Not all estimates are created equal. This is something you must take into account when reviewing the ones you’ve received for your construction project. Labor and materials are key elements of any estimate. However, consider:
- The quality and brand of materials used (and the impact on your completed project)
- Labor, including the number of people working on the project and the estimated timeline
- The elements of the project that are included in the estimate, including setup and cleanup
Talk through those elements with the remodeler to make sure you fully understand what the estimate covers — and look for any differences when comparing estimates.
Allowances and Potential Additional Costs
As you review the estimate, make sure you understand allowances — that is, how much you can spend on specific elements of the project — and any additional costs that could arise. Discuss those additional costs with the contractor ahead of time, including what to expect if they run into unexpected challenges and any elements that could naturally occur during your construction project.
Question #4: What Is the Expected Timeline?
During many construction projects, you may not be able to access certain areas of the building, not to mention the mess you may have to live with in the meantime. Make sure you know the timeline you’re looking at ahead of time—including when the project will begin and when you can expect it to be finished. Don’t forget about the planning and permitting stages as well as the actual construction process.
Construction Milestones
Your planning process isn’t just about the end product. There are also milestones your renovator meets at specific points throughout the project. As part of your discussion with your home improvement specialist, lay out those key milestones and anticipated completion dates. In addition to helping you plan the entire project and choosing the right remodeling contractor, setting milestones in advance helps you anticipate delays caused by weather or other issues.
Question #5: Who Will Be Managing the Project?
You may have a great rapport with the person you’re talking to during the planning process. However, that does not mean they will be the ones actually taking care of your construction project. Ask who will be managing the project: your primary point of contact, and who will be in charge of the job site. That simple question will ensure that there are no unnecessary communication delays.
Communication During Construction
Ask your remodeler about how communication will be handled during the project and how often you can expect them to check in. Set expectations early if you want regular updates or daily contact, since those may not be part of the contractor’s usual process.
Question #6: How Are Changes Handled?
Many construction projects result in unexpected changes. Talk to your contractor about how they handle these situations, whether it’s a change in the scope of the project or a different selection of material. Most home improvement specialists will require change orders for any major adaptation to the project. Still, your renovator should let you know what they consider a major change and how to handle it if it arises.
Budget Changes
Some challenges or changes to your project can result in major budget changes. Make sure you understand your contractor’s approval process before you get started, so you don’t end up with an unexpected bill at the end of the project.
Question #7: What Warranty Do You Provide?
While many material manufacturers provide a warranty for their projects, you need to know what options are available and what to do if there are any problems with the finished product. Ask your contractor to clearly lay out all those warranties ahead of time.
Workmanship Warranties
In addition to offering information about the manufacturer’s warranty for any materials used in your construction project, your contractor should offer their own warranty to cover their work. Ask how long it lasts and what is covered under that warranty, as well as how to communicate any problems and how long it should take to implement a fix if needed.
Red Flags to Watch For
When it comes to choosing the right remodeling contractor for your upcoming construction project, be on the lookout for these red flags during the interview:
- Extremely Low Bids: If you receive a bid that is much lower than any of the others you’ve checked, it may be missing something — and you need to understand what that is before you sign.
- Large Upfront Cash Request: While you may need to put down a deposit or cover materials, you should not expect to pay out a large percentage of the project cost before work begins.
- No Written Contract: A written contract protects both you and the renovation professional, and its lack could signal that the remodeler does not intend to follow through with the work.
- Poor Communication: During those early stages, your renovator should be showing you their best side. If communication is poor before the work begins, it could be worse once construction starts.
By watching out for these red flags, you can prevent yourself from ending up with a contractor who just doesn’t have what it takes to manage your construction project.
Finding the Right Remodeling Partner
While price is certainly a crucial element of any remodeling project, it’s not the most important element, and asking the right questions ahead of time can help you choose the right renovation professional for your needs. Professionalism, transparency, and experience can all make the construction process go much more smoothly and increase the odds that you end up with a remodel you can be proud of.
Are you ready to find the right remodeling contractor for your renovation project? Reach out to get a remodeling quote or ask any questions you may have about our services.
