It’s summer! Let the home remodel season begin!
So, you’ve got your plans, you have your vision, you know exactly what you want, and you’ve got the money and time to do it. Now you just need someone to do that work for you.
Finding a contractor for your home remodel project can be stressful and frustrating. Running a simple Google search will only show you that everyone in your area is an expert at everything to do with home remodeling and repair.
How do you know which ones can actually back up their claims? How do you sift through the crowd and find those contractors who are reasonable, true experts, and easy to work with?
Keep reading to discover how to find the right contractor for your home remodel today!
Ask for Recommendations
The first place to start is recommendations from your friends and family members. When it comes to contractors, many still market themselves by the tried and true word of mouth method.
Your friends and family will probably have had a chance to use the services of a contractor at one time or another. While they may not have the perfect contractor for you right away, they will certainly be able to give you some good options.
They might even be able to make sure you steer clear of those less than desirable contractors. Recommendations are definitely the best place to start.
Ask for References/Testimonials
When you begin making contact with contractors, it’s important to ask for references and testimonials. Make sure they have a way to back up their claims.
When it comes to searching for contractors, running a Google search for remodeling contractors near me is a great place to begin. However, pay attention to the reviews, testimonials, and references. If they are not readily available on Google or their website, call and ask.
References and testimonials are a great way to judge whether or not a contractor is able to make good on the promises they make. Past clients will usually be able to paint a clear and honest picture of the contractor.
Check Certifications/Licenses
A big red flag when searching for contractors is a lack of licenses or certifications. Contractors are required to be insured within the state they work in, and therefore, must be licensed to perform the work they do. Licensing also ensures the quality of work is up to code.
Check your local ordinances and state laws on contractor requirements and make sure your contractor is in compliance. A contractor who tries to spin a yarn about not being licensed for whatever reason should be ignored and if possible, reported to the state for failure to be properly licensed or insured.
Contractors who are required but refuse to be licensed come with the risk of providing sub quality work that could be a threat to safety.
Interview Multiple Contractors
When it comes to finding remodeling contractors near me in Google, make sure you get three bids and quotes from contractors, even if there is one in particular that you like. Each interview will help you learn something new about your project and the contractors.
Make sure each bid or quote lists the same materials and tasks in order to compare them properly. It’s better to compare an orange to an orange instead of a grape.
After you’ve received your bids, conduct your interviews. Ask about the timeline, budget, milestones, and payment options. Make sure to choose the contractor who can not only perform the work right but also within your timeframe as best they can, and within budget, of course.
Don’t Settle for Less than the Best
When it comes to remodeling your home, there is nothing worse than settling for less than the best. This is your home, after all. You want it to look the way you want it to look.
This can make finding the right contractor for your remodeling project stressful and frustrating. However, asking for recommendations, and checking references and testimonials is a great way to weed out the riff raff.
Don’t settle when it comes to your home; do your research, interview multiple contractors, and choose the one that is the best fit for you and your project.
