You might have an idea for a great remodeling project on your home. Maybe it's a new kitchen or a patio. Maybe you want to add another floor to the house. Or you might want to turn a basement into an entertainment room. No matter what the project is, it's something to get excited about.
However, one issue with being too excited is that you might rush into choosing a contractor for the work you need done. This can be a costly mistake as well as a major headache, especially if the job is incomplete or not up to your standards. You'll want to take the time to find a contractor that will get the job done in a superior fashion and with the least amount of interruption to your life.
Of course, you'll want to hire someone you can trust and get along with because you'll most likely be spending some time with the contractor every day until the project is done. You'll need to find out if you can trust a contractor and his or her crew with your valuables, and most importantly, with your family.
Finding a contractor can be done through a phone book or searching the Internet, but the best way is usually to take recommendations from friends and family. A friend or relative will be honest with you about their experience with a contractor and should be easy to detect if they were genuinely satisfied with the work they had completed at their home. Regardless of how you search for one, you'll want to meet with a handful and get references and pictures of work a contractor has done.
Before going into an interview with a contractor, think about exactly what you want done and develop a list of detailed questions. Ask who will be doing the work on your home. Also find out what days and times you can expect the contractor(s) to be at your home so you're not caught off guard or not at home when they'd like to work on the project.
Of course, price is a topic that will need to be discussed. Ask how the price for a certain projects will be determined. This could be an hourly rate or a fixed rate. You'll also want to find out if there are any additional costs you might incur if the project requires additional work not originally calculated into the cost.
It is important to become educated on the project or projects you want to hire a contractor for. When you sound clueless about a home improvement topic, it opens up a window for a contractor to take advantage of you by overcharging. Again, being taken advantage of shouldn't be a problem if you've taken the time to meet with contractors who have gained approval from your friends or family.
Something you want to remember is that the cheapest guy isn't always the best guy. In addition, cheap doesn't always mean value. You want to hire the contractor that is giving you the most for your money (value), which is typically not the cheapest guy. There are many reasons a contractor's quote might be cheaper than another's. One could be that a contractor is inexperienced in bidding jobs. They don't know what a fair cost is in terms of supplies and time to complete the task.
Another reason you might see a quote much cheaper than any other is that the contractor does not have a real business with actual overhead such as insurance, proper tools, experienced employees, and/or a complete staff. The worst reason some contractors underbid a job is they want to be awarded the job, get the deposit and run. Stay clear of unusually low bidders because there's a chance they'll rush the job and not be cooperative in returning to your home to complete a potentially poor job. So take the time to find a quality contractor and don't jump to the lowest quote you see unless you have reason to believe you'll get what you deserve.
Some warning flags should be raised if a contractor insists to be paid up front. A basic rule and practice of mine is to make sure I have accomplished more work than has been paid for. This makes the homeowner secure due to the simple fact that if by any chance something goes wrong and the contractor doesn't complete the work, the homeowner will not lose any money. Another thing to stay away from is a contractor who only accepts cash payment, especially before some kind of trust factor is established. To avoid possible confusion and disagreements, you'll want to be able to have a payment that can be documented.
Once you've asked all the important questions to a number of contractors, you can make a decision more confidently. Take the time to evaluate your options carefully and don't feel rushed. When you choose wisely, there is a much better chance that you'll see a satisfactory end result. If you can find a contractor who is willing to go the extra mile, you'll have someone you can trust in the future for all your home improvement needs.
For more tips on home improvement, contact a JL Bottone representative today.
Author Resource:
JL Bottone is one of the premier builders and renovators of signature homes in New Jersey, and the immediate surrounding area. For 3 generations we've been creating a true living experience for countless satisfied homeowners, fitting any lifestyle in the process with our attention to detail, creativity and customer service. We treat every job like it's our only job, and the proof is in our quality of work. For more information, visit www.jlbottone.com, e-mail info@jlbottone.com, or call (877) 552-6886.
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