June is a great time to spruce up your home with a remodel, but beginning a home remodeling project can seem daunting at first. Hiring the right contractor will make your home remodeling project a breeze.
Collect References
If you have never worked with a particular contractor it is important to get references from people who have. Ask the contractor for names and phone numbers of people they have completed remodeling projects for. Asking to see before and after pictures is also a good idea because you should be able to see the entire scope of the contractor’s work in the pictures. When you talk to the people who have worked with the contractor be sure to ask them if they would hire this contractor again. You may also want to ask if there were any delays or significant issues with their remodeling project.
Check the Contractor’s License and Insurance
You may talk to a contractor that is very personable on the phone and in person, but make sure that they have adequate insurance coverage and all the licenses they need to complete your remodeling project legally. The contractors should have personal liability insurance coverage as well as property damage coverage. It’s also smart to check the company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau to make sure there haven’t been any complaints filed. If your remodeling job is large enough that the contractor is planning to hire subcontractors to do some of the work you need to make sure that they have licenses and insurance coverage as well.
Communicate
One of the biggest issues that homeowners have with contractors is that they are hard to communicate with. The contractor you hire should return your phone calls or emails within 24 hours. They should be very direct when they communicate with you about the timeline, costs and other aspects of your remodeling project. If you call a contractor for an estimate and they are too busy to look at your project within a few days they are probably too busy to complete your remodeling project in a timely fashion. It’s best to find someone else to do the job.
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