Some of our readers enjoy doing their own remodeling. If you have a strong construction background, taking on the remodeling project yourself can save you thousands in labor costs.
However, amateurs who take on tasks that are “over their heads” often find that they have to hire a professional, after all.
You want the finished project to be professional and to add value to your house. It’s not something that you want to trust to a novice or someone inexperienced in the job.
This is especially true when you calculate that a home is generally the largest asset of most Americans.
Hence, we have carefully put together some points on how to choose the best home remodeler.
Should You Remodel a House By Yourself?
If you are have never done significant construction, you should think twice about taking on a remodeling project.
Sure, remodeling is a great excuse to buy new tools (and if you’ve spent any time shopping on ToolTally, you probably have a list of tools you want to buy), but you also want to weigh the time costs.
If you are an expert in your field, measure the amount of time you would make at your job versus the amount of time a remodeling project will cost you.
If remodeling takes time away from your working hours, it might be financially worthwhile to stay focused on your work while the experts handle the remodeling project.
Points to Note When Choosing the Best Home Remodeler
Clearly Define Your Remodeling Goals
How do you want the finished project to look?
The first step is to get a clear idea on what the finished project should look like.
Have your inspirational pictures ready to show to the prospective home remodeler. They will be able to give input on how to best implement your ideas.
Some of the more professional remodeling companies may be able to take your floorplan and create 3D images of what the finished remodeling project will look like (although this is generally an added cost).
Knowing what you want will go a long way in helping a contractor deliver a finished project that is on budget and that meets your expectations.
It also allows you to notice early on if the project is veering off course.
Hence, having a detailed and well-documented plan of what you want to see in the finished work is first and critical on our list of how to choose the best home remodeler.
Ask for Recommendations
According to Scott Cook (Co-founder of Intuit) “A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is. It is what consumers tell each other it is.”
This quote clearly expresses how powerful a word of recommendation can be to a potential customer.
In this case, you should seek advice from your friends, colleagues, or family that have had a remodeler work for them before now. Put out a request for recommendations on Facebook.
Ensure that the recommendations come from their personal experience with the remodeler and not a mere advert for someone they believe does excellent remodeling jobs.
The benefit of this point is that you are sure of what your potential remodeler can do and if they could deliver effectively on what you envisioned for your home.
It is also important to state a fact. It would be best if you do not base your decision on the right remodeler only on recommendations.
If your friends don’t have any recommendations, try to go with a remodeler who has a depth of experience that you can personally vet.
Choose experience
It’s important to get an experienced contractor.
While you can save money by hiring the cheapest guy on Craigslist, there are always horror stories surrounding these contractors.
It’s not uncommon to hire someone who gets started on the job, only to disappear later when their drug habit or their parole officer habit catches up with them.
You want a builder who has a decent resume of completed jobs.
Ask the contractor how likely it is that the project will be finished on time, and how often they expect to be on-site working on it. This can give you an idea of how many projects they are juggling.
Ideally, you are looking for someone with experience in the type of remodeling project you have and who has a series of finished projects similar to yours.
For example, some contractors specialize in kitchen or bathroom remodeling. You will require a contractor who has sufficient experience in this area or an overall remodeling.
Hiring the right contractor will make a difference in how the finished product looks.
Licensing and Certification
Remodeling a home can have serious reprucussions on your net worth.
You can overpay for the project, or you can hire an underqualified contractor who does a poor job.
The ideal contractor is somewhere in-between these extremes.
One of the ways you can tell if a potential contractor is a good choice is by the licensing that they carry. They may choose to have additional certification such as a certified graduate remodeler (CGR).
This certification tells you your potential contractor is passionate about what they do and has gone the extra mile to prove it. It also says they mean business.
Aside from all of the trustworthiness and work etiquette, licensing and certification are useful for insurance and general liability.
Insurance coverage
More important than certification is their insurance and local business licensing.
You will need to review your insurance policy, especially on home remodeling and repairs.
Furthermore, any contractor you will be hiring must be registered to work in that city and should be able to secure building permits as needed for your project.
If they struggle to get the proper building permits, this could be an early warning sign as to their qualifications.
Make sure that they and their employees are properly covered by insurance and that your home is protected, should they make a structural error.
Have A Legal Contract
After running all the checks mentioned above, it’s time to get everything in writing.
We cannot overemphasize the importance of this piece of document.
The contract should clearly state the tasks, price of materials and labor, the payment plan, and make room for modifications or adjustments.
The payment plan may be an upfront payment or half the project’s total cost but certainly not all at full payment at the start of the project.
The balance will come at the end of an inspected and satisfied work.
Conclusion
Home remodeling has never been a task for amateurs, especially when such an apartment is an asset.
We believe that these points will guide you through your journey on choosing the best home remodeler and, in the end, get through value for the money you will spend.
