Choosing a Remodeling Contractor

If you're diving into a remodeling project, you're a brave soul. It takes some confidence and patience to get through any large remodeling project. I've tackled quite a few home improvement projects in the last several years and I can say that it's quite a challenge. The first stage of any remodeling project is getting a clear vision of what you want in the end. That task alone might take quite a bit of research and time in itself. Once you have a clear vision, the next step is finding the right remodeling contractor to do the job.

When I started my first remodeling project, I was very certain of what my final expectations were. I wanted to be sure that whoever I hired to do the job, that contractor would have just as clear of a vision as I held. I started my search for the perfect remodeling contractor armed with a folder containing pictures of kitchens very similar to my visions. I went to a trusted friend that worked in real estate and asked her for any ideas or referrals that she might have for me. Her opinions were priceless and she led me in just the right direction. Here is what she told me to do and I would suggest that anyone looking for a remodeling contractor should do the same.

Get Referrals from Realtors :
Real estate agents are armed with a wealth of knowledge that's often left untapped. Go to any office in your area and ask the manager for some referrals of contractors that have done work on houses they have up for sale. If you mention that you're also interested in purchasing rehab properties in the near future, they should be more than happy to let you tour some of the houses. In doing so, you'll get a close up look at contractors work. While this may seem like a lot of leg work, it's so important. It's the best way to see what kind of work contractors are doing in your area and decide which one suits you best. It should be your first step in order to just get a feel for the work the remodeling contractors are doing.

Speak to Previous Clients :
I felt like I really had an upper hand after taking the time to tour some houses and see individual home remodeling jobs. I wasn't working from a list given to me by each contractor. I was working from a list of houses that were for sale and had work done already. Taking that first step also enabled me to speak to some homeowners and find out how they felt about the contractors they'd used. In most cases the work spoke for itself but there were times when speaking to the owners gave me added insight that kept me from hiring. When you speak to customers that were satisfied and the work suits your style, you know you're on your way to a good match.

Hire only Licensed and Insured Remodeling Contractors:
While this may seem an obvious recommendation, it's not. It's so important to make sure that whatever contractor you hire is not only licensed but also insured. This is one area where it's completely important to see verification in writing. Never accept any verbal contracts from anyone, especially in this area.

Visit Contractors at Current Job Sights:
You can really get a good idea of how your project will be handled by visiting a job in progress. Once you've narrowed your choices down to your top three possible contractors, ask each to let you visit two of their current job sights. This might seem extreme but it's really not. To take six car rides and allow yourself a current view of the work each contractor is putting out is priceless. You may save yourself many nights sleep by investing a few hours to view work in progress. It's leg work that will pay off in several ways once you find your contractor.

Get Everything in Writing:
This is another area that you'll want to tackle properly from start to finish when choosing a home remodeling contractor. Price isn't the only thing you'll want in writing. It's equally important to get a promised time frame in writing. There should be a price penalty for each week that the job goes over the promised finish date. Do not let anyone pretend to show offense if you ask for these things. If at any time a contractor is unwilling to put details of your job in writing, walk away.

It can be a real adventure trying to find the right remodeling contractor for a home project. Once you do find someone that suits your needs, the best advice is to hang on tight to that person. Go to them for advice on any projects you intend to tackle on your own and for referrals for other jobs they don't necessarily do but may know people in that field. It's a journey that should be enjoyed from start to finish. The best way to make sure that happens is to put in plenty of time investigating and choosing the right contractor for your project. I ran across some other very helpful suggestions when I was working on my own project by reading here.