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Step 1
Find out what good work means. Some contractors tell you they have been doing something for a long time and give you references but truth be told if you know what good work is you could tell the difference. I will give an example in the following steps. Most people know you should check to see if the contractor has insurance and workers' compensation but did you check to see if they have lien's on their own property?
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Step 2
If the contractor has problems paying their own bills you better watch out for your money. Many builders are coming from different construction fields that are in decline and think home remodel is easy. This could not be further from the truth, it's harder to fix someone's stuff then just starting new. Think of it this way, if you could would you rather fix up your old car or buy a new one. Fixing it is harder and takes more skill that is why you should hire someone that knows what they are doing.
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Step 3
Have a signed contract and a list of what you want done. Many contractors will say they can do something but if they run over budget who is going to pay for the extra's or even do them. Most will just move to the next job without finishing.
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Step 4
Cheapest or costliest is not always the best. Going to a big name company can not be good either, they know how to hide costs to you which is money out of your pocket. Quotes are just estimates make sure spell out everything.
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Step 5
What is good work? If someone says they know how to do tile work and you see the work after is was just finished this is the first step. Ask to see something that was done two years ago. Time will tell if their work is done right. For example, make sure you know what kind of grout they used. Different grout is used for different things. Also what did they lay the tile over. Did they put if over your old vinyl or did they remove it and put in a backer board.
You can go to your locate building store and ask them this does not mean you should do it yourself,once again it's much harder then it looks but you should not go into it without knowing. It's like the stock market you don't have to move your money around because you can hire someone but you should know where your money is going. -
Step 6
Plan ahead, know what you want and communicate it. Show pictures in a magazine if you need to then both parties have a clear understanding of what you want. Changing things as you go will drive up the cost.
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Step 7
Be realistic, and keep an open mind. What this means is sometime you and your contractor will see one thing and when the demolition starts you find things in the walls, floor or ceiling that will add time and costs. But with communication and planning for a few things that might not be obvious up front your home remodel experience can be a good one.
Comments
Countrymom said
on 3/30/2009 Excellent article! 5*'s. Great suggestions!
Countrymom said
on 3/30/2009 Excellent article! 5*'s. Great suggestions!