You should always know what to ask before putting money into any home renovation to get the most out of your personal investments.
It’s finally spring, although it feels more like summer which means for many of us there are some personal projects we’ve been itching to get done with the nice weather and long days. Entertaining company is a basic human pleaser and necessity to social connection so why not rehabilitate that dysfunctional kitchen or grungy bathroom to impress your house guests. But before you jump on the renovation bandwagon, here are a few things you should consider before choosing a contractor.
Check credentials and history
Here’s what you should look for: A contractor who has been in business for a while, someone who is licenses and registered (every state has different rules), has insurance (liability; workman’s comp), and has a solid reputation. B.J. Larson has been in business since 1981 so our 37 year of knowledge in the industry has given us the confidence to tackle any job you might have in store for us. We also have all the necessary requirements to practice so you can have the peace of mind that there will be no issues throughout the design process. See why our may clients trust us by reviewing our company history and contracting license requirements here.
Get bids
We’ve always felt that word of mouth is most important when it comes to quality work or a satisfying experience during the building process. It simply means we’re doing our job right and another satisfied customer is happily sharing their newly designed sunroom space with others. Once you’ve talked to friends, family, and neighbors (asking them if their contractor showed up—and finished—on time? And if there were any unexpected costs) as well as separated the good from the bad, get bids from your top three choices, tossing the lowball offer. While we’re all looking for value, always be wary if someone comes in several thousand dollars below the others. Yes, it appears to be a great deal, but the contractor is most likely cutting corners somewhere such as using cheaper materials, or may start the project only to tell you down the line that it’s more complicated than initially assumed, and therefore more expensive. Be cheap but don’t invite trouble.
Think beyond price
A new remodel is a huge undertaking and you’re going to be spending a lot of time with this contractor, so when you make your decision, think about whether you feel comfortable with their personality, background, methods, and communication skills. Is everyone involved within the process and on the same page? We’ll always happily assist you from our office line if you have questions or if you need that extra line of communication, we’re more that willing to supply you a personal number to get the job done efficiently and effectively. Just remember, bad communication could leave you frustrated, disappointed and several thousands of dollars beyond what you budgeted for so we take great price in making it a memorable and fun experience. You might even learn a few things to better understand how to approach your next remodeling project.
Agreements and contracts
One of the most important things to never neglect is to have your contractor detail out a quote or contract before beginning. Every project should have one, no matter the size of the estimated work. Ever detail about the project should be included – from a work timetable and estimated start to finish dates, to the description of working being done, supply and material orders, right down to the brand or make of the fixtures. You are in fact making everything possible by financing this huge undertaking so it is good to be in the know to ensure things are going according to plan and you are not getting taking advantage of. Transparency is key and why wouldn’t you want to be involved to compare prices and suggest a similar faucet compared to the luxury one they had chosen for you to save a few bucks and cut costs where it’s needed. Contracts ensure that if a dispute arises, it can be dealt with in a timely manner.
How you pay your contractor is equally important as how much
It’s an unwritten rule that a homeowner shouldn’t feel obligated to pay their contractor more than 30 percent upfront. Make periodic payments as the contractor completes certain portions of the project, expecting to make an average of three payments per project, and dangling a significant amount, at least 10 percent, to be paid only when the job is completed to your satisfaction and expectations. This is the best way to ensure that the work gets done when and how you want it.
