Finding a qualified, professional remodeling contractor need
not be a difficult or unpleasant task. By following these basic
guidelines, you will not only make the selection process easier,
but also you will be more prepared to make an informed decision
that best suits your needs.
Selecting a Qualified Remodeler - Employ a
contractor with an established business in your local area.
Local firms can be checked through past customers. They are
tax-paying members of your community and are compelled to
perform satisfactory work for local homeowners in order for
their business to survive. Check the
remodeling contractor with the
to see if there is an
adverse file or record. Ask for local homeowner references and
follow up on them. Call the references; ask if they were
satisfied will all aspects of the contractor’s performance. Ask
to see the finished projects. Solicit two or three bids for the
work you need and do not blindly accept the lowest. Ask a
contractor why the bid is so low, or so high. Sometimes a higher
price may be worth the cost of better quality materials. Make
sure you have a thorough understanding of all materials to be
used.
Proper Planning Is Important - Think your
project through from start to finish. Your home represents a
large investment. Its proper care and maintenance is essential.
Your home must suit your present needs as well as your
lifestyle. Carefully plan your home improvements so you can
update your home, increase the value of your investment, and
customize your living space-all for a lot less than the cost of
a new house. Look over your property carefully. What repairs are
needed? What improvements would you like? Think ahead and
determine your future needs. Do you need an additional bedroom,
a refurbished bath or a modern kitchen? Professional remodeling
contractors can help you in your planning by outlining options
and discussing the improvements you can make within your budget.
Think About Design and Function - Design and
function should be foremost in your mind if you’re thinking of
adding a room or converting an existing room. Determine the need
and location. Would you like an added room to perform more than
one function? Would you like your basement to be a family room
or workroom? Would you like a greenhouse adjacent to your
kitchen? Will your furniture fit in your new living room? Draw a
simple floor plan using graph paper and patterns of your
furniture cut to scale. Then lay out your room arrangement. Be
sure to keep in mind traffic areas, a center of interest,
furniture groupings, storage space, and adequate lighting. A
professional remodeling contractor should be consulted about
design and function of any remolding project. He also can help
you with time- and money-saving hints.
Detailed Specifications Are A Must - The
professional prepares a comprehensive plan carefully estimating
costs based on material and labor specifications. A reputable
remodeling contractor will not give you a sketchy proposal
hastily drawn on the back of an envelope. Study all plans
carefully when they are required for your remodeling job. Insist
that you approve them before the work begins.
Comply with Building Codes and Permits -
Building codes are established by most cities, towns and
counties and vary considerably from one jurisdiction to another.
A building permit generally is required whenever structural work
is involved or when the basic living area of a home is to be
changed. For example, if you have a home with an unfinished
basement, and would like to finish off a portion of it for a
family room, you would need a building permit in most
jurisdictions because you have changed the basic amount of
living space in your house from storage space to "livable"
space. The complex details of local building codes and permits
are familiar details to a professional remodeling contractor. A
professional works in your city or town every day and knows the
local requirements. You pay any fee required by your
municipality and are responsible for penalties resulting from
any failure to file required permits.
A Well-Written Contract is Essential -
Detail what the contractor will and won’t do-such as protection
of your household goods surrounding the job site and daily
clean-up or clean-up upon completion of the job. Since this is
an additional labor cost for the contractor, it may slightly
raise the cost of your job, but it is well worth the price.
Specify all materials. Your contractor should detail a list of
all materials for the project in your contract. This includes
size, color, weight, model, brand name, quantity, and product.
Understand the financial terms.
Payment Terms - Be sure not to give large up
front deposits to the contractor in at the time the contract is
signed or in advance of them beginning and completing at least
some of the work to be performed. Many contractors will
state that the deposit is necessary to secure a scheduling
position on their calendar or to purchase needed materials so
that work can begin. Qualified Professional
contractors should not require up front payments.
Structured payments at specific milestones in the project are
acheived should be agreed upon before work begins.
Working with a Professional Contractor - Be
sure to put all changes in writing if the scope or complexity of
your remodeling project is modified while work is being done.
Both parties should agree upon the amendment. Ask your
professional contractor to provide certification of insurance
covering workers’ compensation, property damage, and personal
liability. This certificate of insurance should list
coverage and specifically name you as an insured. It is
quickly and easily available from their insurance agent or
company with a quick phone call.
Financing Your Remodeling Project - You may
wish to obtain financing for your remodeling project. There are
various financing plans readily available to homeowners, many of
which base loan amounts on equity in the home, or other assets.
Your local professional remodeling contractor is familiar with
many of the financing options available, and can often help you
arrange the financing you need.
