Even though you can do a home remodel on your own, you may not have the skill and time for the work. Therefore, you should consider hiring a remodeling contractor. However, it is not easy to hire a home remodeling contractor. How do you determine if a contractor is a perfect match for your project? Do your homework to narrow down to the most suitable. These guidelines will help you to select the best home remodeling contractor.
Ask for licensing and certification. One easy way of narrowing down the options you have is by asking the listed home remodeling contractors for licenses and certifications. The particular licenses and certifications of a contractor depending on what projects he/she specializes in. Because legal regulations vary by state, call your state’s department and inquire for specific requirements. In addition to making sure your contractor has the needed license and certification to complete the work legally and safely, ascertain that they carry liability insurance to reinstate for loss in case they damage your home. Additionally, workers ought to be insured so that you are covered against liabilities if the contractor is hurt.
Check the portfolio. You require a home remodeling contractor who has a creative eye hence needing one specializing in remodels like yours. Ask a potential home remodeling contractor for a portfolio of the work he/she has worked on before. A contractor can provide a physical portfolio or direct you to a website with images. A good portfolio must display at least ten projects and photos of space prior to the beginning of the project, during the remodel and after the work was finished. It is much essential to acquire blueprints, photographs of sketches, and other plans. A home remodeling contractor will only provide the most attractive photos in their portfolio and in case you see any work that differs from your standard, avoid hiring them.
Ask for references. Any home remodeling contractor with a good reputation expects his/her customers to ask for references. A typical contractor must have at least ten names with the address and contact information of customers. Choose a few referrals and call them. Ask questions, for example, if the contractor was punctual for appointments and workdays, if the project is holding up, and if the cost was transparent and reasonable. In case a client had a good overall experience, he/she will not only be positive but also upbeat concerning the contractor even if they faced some minor problems.
Get bids. After much consultation, home remodeling contractors are going to issue a bid. The bid may include details of the project’s timeframe, type of the materials they recommend, and the whole cost of the project. Get bids from several contractors for comparison. However, avoid basing your reason for hiring a contractor on price alone because the contractor may end up working with substandard materials. Additionally, avoid hiring the most costly contractor in the thought that he/she will deliver outstanding results because some charge a lot for their sake. Compare the quality of projects a contractor has worked on before against the cost then decide accordingly.