It is important to put in the time and effort when looking to hire a contractor for renovations jobs around your home. In this installment on choosing a contractor we will discuss several steps you can take to confidently find a renovation specialist for all of your remodeling jobs.
When looking to find a renovation contractor it is important to ask for referrals. Word of mouth is the best way to find competent help. If you need a qualified professional to remodel your kitchen, renovate your bathroom or add on to your home start by asking relatives, friends, family and neighbors with whom they have experience with. Talk about what made it a positive experience, how the contractor handled problems as they arose and if they would choose the same contractor again if they were remodeling again.
The next step after you are armed with referrals is to do a little firsthand research. Start by checking out the contractor’s website. Locate their credentials and check to see if they hold all of the required licenses, insurance, certifications and proper designations from professional contractor organizations. From there make a phone call to set up a meeting to interview each home renovation specialist.
Set up meetings with three contractors because any more than that can get a bit confusing. How a contractor answers a homeowners questions says a lot about them. It is extremely important and will give you insight on how communication will go in the future. Be prepared with a detailed list of questions to ask each contractor. Be sure to take notes so that you have something to refer back to when making a decision at a later time and date.
During your interview with each contractor be sure to ask for references. You will want to see some of the work that the contractor has done in the past as well as to find out other details about job performance. Ask about the execution of the job and the work of the crew. Were they able to stay on time and within budget? What about the outcome? Was the referral pleased with the outcome of the job? Would they hire the same contractor to perform the renovation again?
As you are making a final decision on which contractor you will chose for your renovation narrow it down based on previous business experience and management. Here are a few things you will want to be sure you can answer:
- Does the contractor run a reputable construction firm; are they a one man renovation specialist or do they hire sub-contractors to help perform tasks they aren’t able to? Is there a permanent mailing address, email address and phone number? Be sure you can contact the contractor at anytime you need to. Communication is a key element to a successful renovation.
- Can you get a physical copy of insurance and certifications held by the contractor?
- What is their presence in the community like? Do people recognize the contractor’s name? Does the contractor maintain positive relationship with other specialized contractors such as plumbers and electricians as well as their crew?
- Do they have a solid reputation within the community and their peers? Do they have a successful track record with other area contractors?
Once a final choice has been made between contractors the real work can begin. Be sure to openly communicate your own expectations throughout the renovation. This will help to ensure the remodel will go smoothly and that you stay satisfied throughout the entire process.
Aspen Construction is an innovative building leader specializing in home additions, new construction, bathroom and kitchen remodeling. For all of your home improvement needs including electrical services contact us today at http://www.aspencoinc.com/.