Finding a Contractor for Your Remodeling and Construction Project
“remodeling and construction” “kitchen remodel”
A question you might want to ask the contractor is how many remodeling projects like mine have you completed in the last year? Ask for a list as this will help you determine how familiar the contractor is with your type of project. If he primarily specializes in fireplaces and all his previous remodeling and construction projects were fireplaces and you’re doing a kitchen remodel or a bathroom, he might not be the right contractor for you.
You should also always ask the contractor for a list of references. The contractor should be able to give you the names, addresses and phone numbers of at least three clients who have projects similar to yours. Ask how long each of those jobs took to complete and how long ago they were completed and ask to see them. You can also tell the contractor you would like to visit some of his current remodeling jobs in progress.
When you contact the clients he gave you as a reference you may want to ask them if you can visit their home to see the completed job. You can also ask them things like: were you satisfied with the remodeling project? Was it completed on time? Did the contractor keep you informed about the status of the project, and any problems along the way? Were there any unexpected remodeling costs? And if so, what were they? Did the workers show up on time? Did they clean up after finishing the job?
Probably the most important questions though would be were you happy with the work? Would you recommend the contractor? Would you use him again?
Happy clients are your very best bet!
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Remodeling is really one hell of work, you will definitely need a reliable contractor for every project…
I agree with “home remodeling maryland”, get a list of clients and call them. A little research on Google can also help you ( contractor name + problems ). It will help you avoid major pain…
I totaly agree “plumber in Milton”. If a potential contractor is not for giving you his happy cusomer list, there is definately something wrong.
I think these are some really great tips. How many times do you hear nightmare stories about contractors with poor-quality work or projects that span months and months?
I agree with the first comment, remodeling is never a pretty thing. We work in Denver and most of the projects involve house that are older than 50 years old.
I think that when you are remodeling you want to be around the project as much as possible! If you can do a lot of it yourself that helps on quality and money. Usually the best job done is the one you do because you know how you want it done and you want it done nicely because you’ll be seeing it everyday - the contracter wont! Thanks for this blog it had a lot of great information!
Great post. I have to disagree with online payday loans. If you put in a little footwork before you sign. I think it is very possible to find a contractor that cares. In any profession there will always be those who strive for excellence. It is just a matter of finding a good company. Most contractors offer free estimates so don’t be nervous to get 10 or more estimates or be pressured by an aggressive salesman and you’ll get the quality you deserve!
Excellent information, everyone should check the background of their contractors after all when you apply for a job your references are often checked so why not the contractor you hire as well. The point about the clean up after wards always irks me, often a job is done well but not enough care is taken to see that there is no mess on completion. Thanks for the information.
If only contractors didn’t cost so much… I would have such a nice place
-jack
Anyone venturing into a remodelling project should definitely ask bidding contractors for (similiar job) references. Don’t just phone the references and have a chat. Ask them if they mind you stopping by quickly to see the results from their project. It’s too easy to fake a phone reference.
Remodeling projects are generally huge projects, not the small Handymen stuff. When finding a Remodeling Contractor, you should definately ask for licensing info, along with verifying if they are bonded/insured. I would definately ask neighbors, friends, and/or relatives for any recommendations, and then see if you can find any reviews about them online.
References are so important when selecting any kind of contractor. Given the economic climate many people want to choose the lowest bid. This can be a big mistake because often times the level of service from the low bidder is not all that stellar.
Make sure that you get references as well as check with the BBB and the registrar of contractors. I have installed quite a few home alarm systems and listened to homeowners who wish they would have done more homework on checking on the contractor before they hired them.
This is a very informative blog post. If you don’t want to find a horrible contractor you should ask for references of previous jobs from that contractor. That way you can call their previous clients and gather knowledgeable information on that certain company to make sure they are up to code, do a good job, etc.
Very good blog post. In addition to asking for references from a contractor, you should also ask around to see if anyone you know has had a remodel and who they used. Some contractors will even give some commission for referred clients.
I think that when you are remodeling you want to be around the project as much as possible! If you can do a lot of it yourself that helps on quality and money. Usually the best job done is the one you do because you know how you want it done and you want it done nicely because you’ll be seeing it everyday - the contracter wont! Thanks for this blog it had a lot of great information!
When your remodeling you only want to have to do it one time. Best place to look if you don’t have a personal reference from a friend for a Painting Contractor or any other kind of contractor is to go to Angie’s List if you call the people of that list you will get a quality job and anything you want the way you want it. How do I know I’m on the list and if some one calls me from there and then later they don’t like something or want something changed I do back flips to make sure there happy. Why? Cause Angie’s List gives me alot of clients that will pay for quality and one bad mark and you are finished on Angie’s List. Lately Painting Contractors like me are really having trouble finding clients that want quality more than price. People are always only about the price and quality doesn’t come into play when they choose their painter and in 2 years they need paint again and it ends up costing more to repair what should have been done right the first time.
I have just stumbled upon this site and its just great, informative and interesting. One really has to find someone that you can trust when it comes to remodeling, as there are a lot of sharks out there that will charge the earth but will take short cuts and that is something that one really doesn’t need.
I think you have some great questions here. Look at the contractor with experience relative to your project.
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Having been a contractor as well as a client, your advice is to be well taken.
I just went through hell with some out of town scam artists that put new black top on my drive way.
If I would have asked the questions you suggest I would have saved $1,100.00
Have to go now I need to pick the weeds growing through the black top.
I learned the hard way to be very picky with who you choose and to make sure to be hard on them when necessary!