Find A Contractor not a cowboy builder and get it Finished Right
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
If you wish to remodel your home, then you may find it difficult to find a contractor to do the job. Many people find themselves in home remodeling nightmares that cost them tens of thousands of dollars because the person hired to do the job failed to complete the project on time, went way over budget or just did really shoddy work. When looking at home improvement contractors, doing your homework before you hire can save you a lot of money and grief later.
Regardless of whether you are planning a basement remodel, a kitchen remodel, a bathroom remodel or want some room additions in an expansive home remodel, it is always a good first step to contact your local builders association for a list of contractors who are members as this will help you avoid the cowboy builders and rogue traders. Check with your state’s regulatory or licensing board once you have your list of contractors. Find out if a prospective remodeling contractor is licensed, and if there have been any complaints made against him. You might also want to check with the Better Business Bureau. Once you are armed your research, request bids from at least 3 contractors. You shouldn’t necessarily hire the lowest bidder either; remember, they have to pay for their supplies and labor costs, so an excessively low bid should be a red flag.
After you have three prospective residential contractors, it is time to ask questions. Ask how long they has been in business. Find out if they are insured. They should have workman’s compensation and liability insurance. If they use subcontractors, contact them and ask if they have a good working relationship with the contractor. Do the same with their suppliers. Ask for references of three homeowners who have had similar types of work done on their homes. Contact them and ask if they are happy with the work, if it was completed at or near the estimated cost and within the promised amount of time. After you find a contractor you feel confident will complete the work to your specifications, it is time for the contract.
Never hire a residential contractor without a written building contract. The building contract should state exactly what work is to be done, the cost of the project, approximately when it will be completed, and the materials to be used, including the brand names. It can be difficult to find a contractor who is reliable and reputable. Doing the homework before you hire is time consuming, but remember you are investing a substantial amount of money in your home improvement project. You want it to be money well spent.
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