Tips for Finding the Right Remodeler

Finding a good remodeler for your next remodeling project can be tough, but it doesn't have to be like pulling teeth. Follow these tips to make hiring a remodeler, also called a contractor, a day at the park.

Planning your project

The first step is having a plan for your project. You shouldn't even talk to a remodeler before you have a fairly clear idea of what you want to do and the desired end result. A good question to ask yourself is not only what do you want to change, but why? Are there things you definitely want to avoid? Maybe you have an exposed brick wall you'd like to avoid knocking down for example; this is valuable information you'll want to share. Making a list of "wants" and "don't wants" will help your remodeler define a scope of work, brainstorm solutions and make good suggestions. Once you have a vision that you can talk to (again, it will beneficial to have this all written down), then you can meet a remodeler and discuss details. Ceramic tile or fiberglass enclosure? Vaulted or cathedral ceilings? Skylights or sun tunnels? You will also want to write down your ideal time frame for your project (when would you like to have it started and completed). If you have a specific deadline you need to meet, make sure you thoroughly discuss that date with your remodeler. Another good tip is to try and utilize the same information with each of the contractors you meet with and "interview" so as to get a comparable and fair estimate from each of your prospective remodelers.

Make a list of potential contractors

With your plan in place, you now need to come up with a list of possible contractors. By far the best way to find a good contractor is through a direct referral from someone you trust 'who has successfully completed a similar project.' You can get referrals by asking persons at work or family and friends who may have used the services of a certain remodeler in the past. Also look at associations, such as The Remodelers Council or other trade organizations for a list of member contractors. These associations are evidence the remodeler is stable, wants to stay informed and is "here to stay". Fly-by-night contractors rarely stay in one place long enough to develop a history and they don't like the pressure other contractors in the group will apply to them if they are not honest. Make a list of two or three contractors to contact.

Check for a license

Every county and city has different rules and contractors are expected to follow them. Some local governments may require licensing fees per job and some require nothing at all. To determine the licensing requirements for your area, call your local building inspector or town hall. Get more information. Hiring an uninsured contractor is hiring an irresponsible contractor. A licensed contractor has to undergo fingerprinting, a background check and a competency test administered by the state. It's not perfect, but it's a start. Check each contractor on your list for proper licensing (They should have it on all their advertising, trucks, business cards, web site etc.) and remove the ones with no license from your list. Using unlicensed remodelers is illegal; hurts the industry and most importantly, can put your project in jeopardy with little options for recourse. Learn more about Why Licenses Matter.

They should come and look at the job

Some remodelers and trade associates will actually give a job quote over the telephone sight unseen, especially for work they have frequently done. This is most common with tradesmen... electricians and plumbers... especially when they are very busy. Why have the contractor come to the job site? Well, you can tell a lot about a person by talking face-to-face, insight that you just can't get over the phone. Look at their truck, physical appearance, eye contact... direct or shifty? Are they a worker or a used car sales man? There is something to be said for first impressions, even if they can sometimes be wrong. Ask about their business, where they live, about their family and, of course, how busy they are. Really try and get to know the person. This individual may be in your home or be given access to your commercial property; this is definitely someone you want to feel comfortable with and feel good about. Let them know you are interested and let them know that you only want a conscientious, quality contractor for your home or business; you set the bar.

Insurance is not optimal

Liability insurance for contractors is required in Florida. At a minimum, the contractor's general liability policy should be 100% of the value of your home. Workman's comprehensive insurance is required for any company with employee's working in your home or business. Require that they present a certificate of insurance prior to signing any contracts, and call the agent to verify that the policy actually exists and what it covers. If a worker slips and falls off of the roof for example, and they don't have insurance, you could be footing his hospital bill or wind up in court; insurance is a must have!

Complaints?

The first place most homeowners go to file a complaint about a bad experience with a remodeler is the state licensing board. Your state licensing board and the Better Business Bureau are two excellent resources to look for complaints for contractors you are looking into. More and more homeowners are sharing their experiences with their remodelers online. Make sure to do a Google search for the contractor and include words like review or complaint in the search box. You can also check on web sites like www.bbb.org, www.ripoffreport.com and www.citysearch.com.

Check references

When you have your short list of remodelers come in for a bid, make sure to ask them for references. Past client references are invaluable when hiring a contractor. Make sure you contact the references and ask what their experience was. Referrals are the number one way remodelers get business; if they don't have any clients they can refer you to, that's unusual and could be a bad sign. Perhaps this individual is just starting out with little experience, hasn't worked in awhile or really, just does unsatisfactory work. Make sure to get to the bottom of this.

Samples of past work

Make sure you ask to see some real-life examples of work. Ask the contractor to help you set up meetings with past clients or ask if you can swing by some of existing jobs so you can really see first-hand the quality of the work being done.

The quote says a lot

The written quote your prospective remodeler provides to you will be the first real sense of what your project will entail and how much it will cost. The quality, clarity and style of the quote will tell you a lot about the contractor and his penchant for detail. A vague or unreadable quote is useless to you and should send up the good ol' red flag! Clarity and detail is important. Without the details of the project on paper in an understandable fashion, it is impossible for you to compare the bids from the different contractors, making your choice of contractor all the more difficult. Considering all the tips previous to this, these suggestions, not just price, should help you come to the best decision on whom to hire. The saying "you pay for what you get" can really ring true in the remodeling industry. Not to say, the lowest cost option may not be a great choice; but it's important to really do your homework, considering all aspects of the contractor, not just their price tag.

Communication and a contract

Finally the main source of conflict between remodeler and homeowner is miscommunication. Try to look for a contractor that you can easily communicate with. Communication is key between a homeowner and remodeler, but to ensure that the contractor fully understands want you want done, it's usually best to draw up and sign an extensive contract. Make sure to specify exactly what you want and what you don't want in the contract. With a contract in place, you can rest assured more easily that you will get what you want; the contract needs to be thorough and specific. By all means do not be afraid to spend too much time on this part of the process!

Be sure the contract includes the remodeler's name, address, phone and license number (if applicable). A contract should include detail about what the contractor will and will not do. A detailed list of materials for the project should be included in your contract with information such as size, color, model, brand name and product. The contract should include approximate start and completion dates.

Study the design plans carefully. Insist that you approve them and that they are identified in your written contract before any work begins. Known as the "Right of Recision," Federal law requires a contractor to give you written notice of your right to, without penalty, cancel a contract within three business days of signing it, provided it was solicited at some place other than the contractor's place of business or appropriate trade premises. Make sure financial terms are understood and spelled out in the contract. The total price, payment schedule, and any cancellation penalty should be clear. A warranty covering materials and workmanship for a minimum of one year should be written into the contract. The warranty must be identified as either "full" or "limited." The name and address of the party who will honor the warranty (contractor, distributor or manufacturer) must be identified. Make sure the time period for the warranty is specified. A binding arbitration clause is also a good inclusion in the event a disagreement occurs. Arbitration may enable you to resolve disputes without costly litigation. Thoroughly review the entire contract and be certain you understand it before signing it. Consider the scope of the project and make sure all items you've requested are included. If you do not see a specific item in the contract, consider it not included. Never sign an incomplete contract. Always keep a copy of the final document for your records.

Be Prepared Check List

Being a prepared consumer makes you a powerful consumer! Here is a check list of things to consider before you begin your remodeling project:

• What is the purpose for the project and who will benefit from it? This might not be as obvious as it sounds. Is it a children's play area or a master bedroom suite renovation? During these planning stages it is important to know who you are designing the space for and who will be the decision maker.
• If considering resale in the near future, know the estimated value of the house and keep in mind how much you think you could sell the house for when all the work is done. A great tool that will give you a current estimate on a home's value is www.zillow.com. You can put in a property and get a value back.
• Beware of basing the budget of your project by what you have seen on TV. While some projects may seem simple to an untrained eye, there may be a number of issues that are unique to your project and cannot compare to what you saw on a TV show. Prices of products and availability of materials will vary in different parts of the country. Take note of what you liked about the products you saw on the show and ask your local contractor.
• Setting a realistic budget is very important. Give yourself some time to get a couple estimates for the project and ask each remodeler for references. Do some research to make sure the contractor is licensed and has insurance. If there is a very big difference in the quotes for the same scope of work, make sure nothing was missing and ask questions. If you are seeking a loan, the bank may want to see the estimate to establish your line of credit. Many remodelers offer some type of financing and may take credit cards as well. Check out our Tips for Finding the Right Remodeler.
• Have a basic list of the items that you think you need to change or want to add before you sit down with a contractor to get a realistic budget. During this design phase, if you have the original floor plan, the builder or designer can get a good look at the existing space and offer some design alternatives based on your unique situation. If you do not have plans, the remodeler will need to come to the house or commercial space and pull existing measurements to start the design phase.
• Do you need a permit? Based on the scope of work, your remodeler will determine if a permit will be required. Your local building department may put limitations on the project based on things like flood zones and property lines. Most issues come to light upon submitting the new architectural drawings to obtain the permit for construction.
• Ask for a realistic time frame of the project from start to finish. If you are working under a tight deadline, be honest with the remodeler and make sure the goal is even possible.
• Mentally be prepared for the remodel before the project starts. If you will be living in the house during the project or if people will be working at the business, think about what type of work needs to be done to make the construction as comfortable as possible and plan accordingly. The inconveniences of no running water in the kitchen or bathroom for example, saw dust, and even the sound of unfamiliar voices of the people doing the labor may be a part of the process. Talk to your remodeler before the job starts to set up some realistic expectations and ask questions if you are unclear about what is involved.
• Use this time before the project starts to clean out unwanted items that have accumulated over time. Label the boxes of the items you keep so you can get organized once the project is complete.

 

The Remodeling Process

So, you’ve decided you are going to undertake a remodeling project on your home.  Many homeowners have never been through the process before and are uneasy about what to expect and how to prepare.  The following are ideas that will help you set some realistic expectations, and to make the process as comfortable as possible.  Obviously, the type and scope of the renovation will affect the overall process, but hopefully this information will help you to avoid any major surprises along the way.

Define your objective

Define your objectives for the project, and try to establish a budget.  If you have not been through a similar project before, or if it has been a long time since you went through the process, it may be difficult to establish realistic expectations about your budget.  Many home owners underestimate the cost of achieving their objectives, and the time it may take.  If you’re struggling with these items, selection of an experienced contractor can be invaluable in helping you establish project scope and budget.

Finding a Contractor

Find a contractor.  See other article on this site for an in depth discussion on how to find a contractor that best meets your needs.

Project Design and Proposal

Create a project design and proposal.  Again, see other articles on this site for in depth information about achieving a final design, budget, contracts, time line, etc.

Getting prepared 

See other article on this site about getting prepared before actual work begins.  Again, depending on the scope of the project, this step can be relatively simple, or pretty involved.  Don’t forget, getting prepared includes both the physical and mental aspect, and might involve more decision making than you might think.  Decisions may have to be made on many things like, cabinets, counter top materials, tile, flooring, paint colors, plumbing and electrical fixtures, cabinet hardware, lighting, etc.  Be prepared to devote some significant time to these items, or consider hiring an interior designer to help.

The Project

During the project, expect to experience some disruption to your daily life.  Many times, the demolition and construction phases of the project can be the noisiest and dirtiest parts of the project. As one contractor says, “You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet”. 

You need to get used to having different people invading your living space on a daily basis.  You also need to expect that there may be days when no one is present to work on your job.  There are times when material and labor availability can affect the contractor’s ability to keep your project moving forward.  Remember however, that the contractor wants to complete your project as quickly as you do.  There are no advantages for the contractor to delay the process.  It only costs them more money and affects their ability to move on to other projects.  Make sure that once your contractor starts your project that they have resources available to devote to it.  Pushing a contractor to start your project prematurely (all home owners are anxious to start once they sign a contract) may not affect the completion date.  It might only create dissatisfaction on the home owner’s part because the contractor is pulling resources from your project to finish up other projects that were started before yours.

As the project proceeds, expect to make partial, or progress payments (draws) based on certain milestones.  Also, remember that your contractor typically has more than one project in progress at a time, and may not be available 24/7 to communicate with you.  However, it is important to maintain a good line of communication with your contractor, while at the same time not overloading them with questions, etc.  It is typically better to accumulate questions and have a face to face discussion with your contractor than it is to constantly question them piece meal.  Of course, if you believe there is a major issue that needs to be dealt with, do not hesitate to contact your contractor.

As things start to come together as you reach the final stages of your project, prepare an itemized list (a punch list) of items that you feel need to be addressed.  It is always a good idea for both you and the contractor to have these items in writing so that nothing gets overlooked.

Finally, once all the punch list items are complete, the final inspections complete, and final payments to your contractor have been made, it’s time to enjoy your new space!!  Many homeowners enjoy documenting the entire process from beginning to end with pictures that they can share with their contractor, family and friends.  And don’t forget, there’s no better way to show people how proud you are of your new project than to invite people (including your contractor) for an open house to show off the finished work.