A home renovation is something you can’t pull off on your own– you need a professional who can get the job done at the right cost.
Picking a skilled and genuine building renovator can be a tough job.
Here are the top five factors to consider when selecting and working with a qualified contractor.
1. Get recommendations
Check in with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of building renovators in your area. Family and friends who have experienced renovating their own houses can also provide you with references. You can also ask building inspectors because they will definitely know someone who routinely meets code requirements. A visit to your local lumberyard can also be a good idea since they would have regular contractor clients who purchase quality materials and have no trouble paying bills on time.
2. Schedule for an interview
Just like an HR manager or a business executive sizing up potential employees for their company, you also have the right to interview building renovators to ensure that they will meet your needs and expectations.
Ask them the following questions:
- Can you give me a list of previous clients for the past 2-3 years?
- Are you currently working on other projects right now? How many are they?
- Do you regularly take on renovation projects with size and complexity like mine?
- What is your relationship with your subcontractors? Can they vouch for your statements?
- Are you willing to provide financial references from suppliers or banks?
3. Visit the building renovator’s current work environment
An ideal building renovator runs a clean, safe, and well-presented workspace. A messy building site, careless workers, and chaotic schedule are all not good signs of efficiency and cost effectiveness.
4. Compare bids
After getting a short list of building renovators with good track records and work ethic, ask everyone to provide you with a breakdown of the cost of materials, labor, profit margins, and other expenses.
A conscientious contractor will be more interested than just having a complete set of blueprints but more importantly, will be focused on what homeowners expect from the project and how much they are willing to spend on it. For example, materials alone will make up as much as 40 percent of the total cost.
5. Get an independent opinion
Sometimes you really can’t decide who to go with; if this is the case, seek advice from someone neutral like a quantity surveyor so you can determine if the services or quotes being offered are honest, practical and fit for your renovation needs and expectations.
The single greatest factor in ensuring 100% satisfaction with your home renovation project is engaging the right people. Take time when asking around and checking on your prospective contractor’s history – with due diligence.
Qualified and reputable building renovators will be only too happy to provide details of prior and current projects as well as connect you with the proud owners. Renovating your home is an important financial decision in your life and you need the best tools for the job.
If you hire the right building renovator at the start, you won’t look back and you’ll soon enjoy the fruits of their good labor.
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