Top 5 Factors Customers Should Consider When Hiring a Remodeling Contractor
Itypically tell my customers that there are five key factors they should be looking for
when considering the right contractor to hire for their project.
- Did they show up to the scheduled appointment on time? You want someone who presents a professional and neat appearance, is a good listener and is well spoken. They should demonstrate that they are knowledgeable about the project and associated products.
- Make sure that the contractor understands what you, the customer, wants. They should not be imposing their ideas simply based on the kind of work that they prefer to do.
- Be aware that – with few exceptions – there is no need for a large deposit to begin. Most remodeling projects (especially bathrooms and decks) typically are at a price point that does not require upfront costs. Most of the construction materials can be covered by the contractor with full transparency and a detailed quote/estimate. Money up front tends to complicate things and can leave a customer vulnerable.
- For bathroom remodels, ask, “How do you intend on building the shower?” You hope to hear a response that includes using a manufactured, prefabricated shower install system. Today’s shower products and systems are very reliable and last a long time compared to their predecessors. Ask a potential contractor if they’re using a pan liner or urethane liner, or a rubber liner with a mud pack; I personally would not recommend using that kind of system. Instead, I recommend they look for buzz words like a KBRS, Schluter or Sentinel system or another manufactured piece. These pre-waterproof systems are by far a superior product.
- Ask for referrals. And remember that they should be able to justify their pricing because there are standards to how much a job costs…they should be in that range. Quotes should be competitive and justifiable.
- Did they show up to the scheduled appointment on time? You want someone who presents a professional and neat appearance, is a good listener and is well spoken. They should demonstrate that they are knowledgeable about the project and associated products.
- Make sure that the contractor understands what you, the customer, wants. They should not be imposing their ideas simply based on the kind of work that they prefer to do.
- Be aware that – with few exceptions – there is no need for a large deposit to begin. Most remodeling projects (especially bathrooms and decks) typically are at a price point that does not require upfront costs. Most of the construction materials can be covered by the contractor with full transparency and a detailed quote/estimate. Money up front tends to complicate things and can leave a customer vulnerable.
- For bathroom remodels, ask, “How do you intend on building the shower?” You hope to hear a response that includes using a manufactured, prefabricated shower install system. Today’s shower products and systems are very reliable and last a long time compared to their predecessors. Ask a potential contractor if they’re using a pan liner or urethane liner, or a rubber liner with a mud pack; I personally would not recommend using that kind of system. Instead, I recommend they look for buzz words like a KBRS, Schluter or Sentinel system or another manufactured piece. These pre-waterproof systems are by far a superior product.
- Ask for referrals. And remember that they should be able to justify their pricing because there are standards to how much a job costs…they should be in that range. Quotes should be competitive and justifiable.
This is a useful post for finding broken links within the website, what about links pointing outwards that are broken? I can use a free web service but wondered if this was possible.
Great tool! I am using a redirect plugin to send all my 404’s to my home page but I think it’s slacking sometimes.