The average home remodel costs nearly $50,000. When you’re investing that much money into remodeling your house, you want to make sure that the job gets done right. Hiring a qualified contractor will help ensure that your space turns out exactly the way you envisioned. Here are some tips to help you choose the best contractor for your remodeling project so you can get the highest quality work possible.
Ask Family and Friends For Recommendations
The best way to start your search for the right contractor is to get recommendations from family members and friends. Ask them which contractors they’d hire again and which local construction companies you should avoid. Also, see if your friend will let you take a look at their completed remodel in person so you can gauge the contractor’s workmanship. After speaking to your friends, you should have a pretty good shortlist of qualified contractors you could see yourself working with.
Research Contractors Online
Once you have a few names of local contractors, do some online research to learn more about them. Visit their websites to find out how long they’ve been in business and view examples of their past projects. You may also want to check if they’re members of any professional organizations like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. It’s also a plus if they have additional certifications related to the project you need to complete, such as kitchen or bathroom remodeling.
Another helpful source of information is online reviews. Looking up each contractor on Yelp, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau can help you determine if they provide quality work and have a good reputation. You can even check out their Google reviews or Facebook page.
Interview the Top Candidates
The next step is to interview your favorite contractors. It’s usually best to meet with them in your home so they can see the areas you want to be renovated and understand the scope of the project. Talking in person will give you a chance to see how well each contractor communicates and listens to your needs, which is important during a home renovation.
You should also prepare a list of questions to ensure you’re making the best use of the interview time. Hearing their answers will give you a better sense of their process and help you decide who you want to work with. If you’re not sure what to ask, here are some of the main things you’ll want to know about each contractor.
- How soon would you be able to complete the project?
- What is your usual payment schedule?
- Do you work with subcontractors?
- Are your services covered by a warranty?
- Are you insured?
- What is your license number?
- Do you have references I can contact?
Follow Up
After the interviews are over, it’s important to follow up on the information you received and make sure each contractor is reputable. Call the references you were provided with and talk to them about their experiences. Be sure to ask important and revealing questions such as the following. Did the contractor show up on time and stay within the budget? Was the final result satisfactory? If a contractor’s previous clients speak highly of them and say they would hire them again, that’s a good sign.
You should also look up each contractor’s license number to make sure they’re certified to do business in your state. Although doing these things will take some time out of your busy day, it’s worth it to ensure your renovation goes smoothly and that you avoid umps down the road.
Get and Compare Bids
Another important factor when choosing a construction company is the price. Call back the contractors you liked the most and ask for a bid. See if they’d be willing to break the estimate down into categories like materials, labor, and profit. This can make it easier to compare bids and see who offers the best value for the money. However, you shouldn’t choose a contractor solely because they offer a low price. Whoever you pick should be the most qualified person for the job, even if they cost a little bit more than the competition.
Choosing the right contractor for your remodeling project can be a lengthy process. But taking the time to verify that you’re working with a qualified, reputable construction company is worth it to ensure your renovation goes to plan.
If you’re looking for a highly experienced construction company in the Dallas area, consider giving us at Brunson Construction a call. Brunson Construction has been in business for over 50 years and has a 4.6 rating on Google and Facebook.
We’re also proud members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and have been screened and approved by HomeAdvisor. Contact us today to get your free quote and find out how we can help transform your home into the space you’ve always dreamed of.
