5 Steps to Picking a Reliable Remodeling Contractor

There are many reasons you may be searching for a remodeling contractor. Perhaps you’re looking to have some renovation/remodeling work completed on your own home. Or, maybe you’ve recently purchased a distressed property that needs remodeling to get it ready for the open real estate market. 

Either way, it’s not easy to pick a contractor without any understanding of the construction industry or the processes involved with remodeling. It’s even harder if you’re not trapped in a network of contractors in your area. 

In this article, we will go over some of the best practices to take when sourcing a remolding contractor so you have a pleasant experience. 

1. Ask People In Your Network 

Even if you or your immediate family members are not involved with the trades, or tapped into a network of remodeling contractors there are ways to source reliable people. 

Start by asking for recommendations from your most trusted people. Ask your colleagues, cousins, neighbors, or friends about the experiences they’ve had with remodeling contractors. 

Through your most trusted sources, you will hear a range of experiences. From horror stories to glowing recommendations, there are endless first-hand accounts of working with remodeling contractors. 

Word of mouth is extremely powerful within the inner-circles for remodeling contractors. From good word of mouth, a contractor can turn one job in a neighborhood into five on the same street.

Good quality and reliable remodeling contractors will have a network of faithful clients that believe in them. Chances are one of your most trusted people have had a great experience with a contractor, and they’d be thrilled to recommend. 

2. Do Your Online Research 

If you’ve been recommended to a particular remodeling contractor, do some research and make sure they are the right contractor for your project. Just because the recommended contractor did an excellent job remodeling your neighbor’s basement does not mean they are qualified to help you renovate a distressed property. 

A qualified, capable contractor will have many resources for you to access to get an idea of the type of work they do, and what you can expect from their team. Make sure to investigate the remodeling contractor’s website, social media presence, and online portfolio for brand and project consistency. 

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3. Conduct a Thorough Interview Process

Once you have a shortlist of remodeling contractors picked out, call each of them for an interview. This is usually a good opportunity to get an understanding of their professionalism, availability, and demeanor. It’s not a good sign if they don’t answer the phone or get back to your inquiring within a reasonable window of time. 

Make sure to have a list of questions on hand to ask each remodeling contractor.

Some examples of appropriate questions to ask would be:

• How long have you been remodeling properties?
• Do you have any examples of similar jobs for review?
• What are the methods for communication and updating clients?
• What do you see as a reasonable timetable for job completion?

Once you’ve received answers from all contractor candidates use your best judgment and intuition to pick the one you find most suitable for your project. 

4. Conduct On-Site Visits and Interviews 

It is extremely helpful when investing a contactor to view their work in-person, but sadly it’s not always possible to do so. Getting candid reviews of contractors is not always the easiest task, but it is possible. The best source to tap into are the previous clients they have worked with.

Ideally, the contractor’s old clients will let you come in and do a site visit. This is not typical, but if a job has recently been completed and your presence is not a disturbance to the property owners it’s great to put your eyes on the work. 

Do not rush into a project with a contractor without interviewing some reliable resources. Set and gauge your expectations on performance and overall quality of work by seeing what the remodeling contractor has accomplished before. 

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5. Discuss Financials in Detail with the Contractor

It’s important to never gloss over financial planning or details with your contractor. Payment schedules, estimated costs, contingencies, and many other financial factors need to be CLEARY understood by both parties before any contracts are signed, or work begins. 

There’s nothing that can derail a remodeling project faster than miscommunication on funding, which is why it all needs to be in order and referenced in writing as the relationship between contractor and client begins. 

To learn more about the best ways to transition your property or renovate your home, please contact us.