Select the Right Contractor for Your Remodeling Project
When you decide to remodel your home, it’s a very personal decision that can have a dramatic impact on the way you and your family live. Avoid the horror stories and use the tips below to help you select the right contractor for your remodeling project.
1.Check and Double-Check Reviews and References
It sounds like common-sense, but many homeowners often overlook or haphazardly review a contractor’s references. Don’t! Check out their reviews on Google by googling their company name. On the right-hand side of the browser, you should see a box with their company information and REVIEWS. Check these out! Also, check out Houzz.com for reviews. Another great resource is bbb.org which rates contractors based on customer complaints, business information, and public data sources. A+ is the highest rating and F is the lowest.
2.Referrals & Recommendations
Friends, family and your social network can be great resources. Your local community association is full of neighbors who have probably had success or failure with a home improvement project. Connect with these groups on Facebook and ask for recommendations.
Important Questions To Ask
1.How long have they been in business?
2.How many of your specific type of project (kitchen, bath, in-law suite) have they previously done? Can they provide the names and phone numbers of those clients?
3.Are they willing to provide references from banks, suppliers, and sub-contractors?
4.Is there a current job in progress that you can visit to see workmanship, site safety, care for the property?
3. Design-Build vs. Design-Bid-Build
Some homeowners believe that the ability to bid a job will provide a better price. Actually, the opposite is true. The Design Bid Build process forces contractors to cut costs wherever possible, which can lead to cutting corners, lower quality products and utilization of low bid/low-quality trade contractors. In addition to saving money, the Design-Build process saves time and headaches. There are a multitude of case studies on the advantages of the Design-Build vs. Design-Bid-Build process. One study showed that “DB projects took less time, had less cost growth, and were less expensive to build in comparison to DBB projects.” Most homeowners will experience significant advantages to choosing a contractor that uses the Design-Build process.
Selecting the right contractor will mean all the difference between a pleasant or a horrific experience. Make sure to interview Parker Design Build Remodel as part of your selection process and check out our client testimonials!
