You may have heard stories about people experiencing a home remodeling nightmare with their contractor. Projects go over budget, take months to complete, corners are cut, contractors disappear.
However, these scenarios do not have to be your nightmare.
The first thing to understand is that a good remodeling contractor will truly do their best to prevent bad things from happening. The key is to choose someone who has a long track record in the area, and who has a good reputation for performing top-quality work.
While word-of-mouth referrals are the most common way to find a home remodeler, other great sources for leads can be via relatives, friends, neighbors and colleagues.
Follow these tips to help make the process easier, and better prepare you to make an informed decision that best suits your home remodeling needs.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
If you’ve spoken with several contractors and have multiple estimates, you’ve definitely got a big decision to make. It might be tempting to go with the cheapest option, but consider other variables that will play a part in the project. Choose the company that truly understands your needs, can address your concerns, be a trusted advisor to you if something goes wrong, and will work with you collaboratively, side-by-side.
CHECK REFERENCES
If you want to get the scoop on whether a contractor is the right fit for your home remodeling project, make it a point to contact previous customers, asking about the contractor’s work quality and reliability. And if a remodeling contractor does not offer references, ask for them anyway. Our team of professionals at D&D Construction has developed, through years of experience and a passion for excellence, a custom remodeling process that strives to deliver a caring and respectful experience to clients.
BE COMPLIANT
When it comes to local building code and permit requirements, hiring a local professional who works in the community can help. These requirements can vary in each jurisdiction. At D&D Construction, our knowledgeable, experienced team members use an extensive planning process, factoring in these requirements, before execution. Then, one of our architects with extensive residential remodeling experience takes the handoff from the sales/design team and plans out every possible detail in preparation for your remodeling project.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Many states require remodeling contractors to be licensed, bonded and insured. Ask your area-licensing agency to confirm that the contractor you are interested in hiring meets these requirements.