Remodeling your home and (like getting a new or updated stone fireplace) is an investment, but it’s one that will pay off over the long-term. Your property’s curb appeal increases, making the whole street more appealing. If you ever decide to move out, the improvements made could increase your home’s resale value. However, the difference between a gorgeous residence that should be on the cover of a home improvement magazine and one that looks shoddy and poorly-done is the contractor who does the work.
If you plan on hiring a contracting company to give your home a makeover, you have to be careful. You want to ensure that the work is quality and something that you can proudly show off for years to come. By asking the right questions and doing some research, you can find a reputable contracting company renowned for its work.
Here’s Seven Ways To Vet A Home Remodeling Contractor
1. Create a Plan of Attack — Home remodeling can be a project that goes on for weeks or months. Your life is going to be somewhat disrupted in the middle of the work. However, no one needs to be woken up bright and early at 6 a.m. on a Saturday because the construction workers are here. Make a plan. Ask whether your contractor will work during weekday mornings, afternoons, and nights and whether they will be here on weekends.
2. Communicate, communicate, communicate — The contractor themselves won’t always be on-site working on your property. They have other clients. However, you should always be able to reach them. Before any work begins, ask if it’s best to contact the contractor by phone, email, or even text message. Communication should occur regularly, daily if not weekly, to let you know how the work is progressing.
3. Keep the House Safe — In the middle of the work, walls, floors, fireplace stone, and other parts of the home may be exposed. Besides that, you don’t want your family breathing in dust or tripping over debris. The contractor should have a good plan in place for keeping exposed items covered and your family safe.
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4. Get an Early Quote — You shouldn’t have to nervously guess how much your home construction will cost once the project is underway. Your contractor should offer you a quote before any work begins so you can decide whether this project is within your budget.
5. Plan for Emergencies — Even if you never have an emergency situation on your hands, you should be able to get in touch with your contractor once their company has closed up shop for the day. Don’t forget to give them your personal phone number if they ever have to call you. There were no Copyscape matches found.
6. Ensure There’s Room on the Street — Do your next-door neighbors work from home each Tuesday and Thursday? Does trash day clog up your street? If there’s going to be a reason the contractor and their team can’t get their truck on your street, you need to let them know so they can figure out an alternate parking situation.
7. Discuss Access When You’re Not Home — You can’t possibly be home for the duration of the project. How will the contractor get inside? Maybe create a spare keypad access code or let them know where you keep your extra key.
Source
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/25030494/list/10-things-to-discuss-with-your-contractor-before-work-starts, http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14602570/list/10-things-to-ask-your-contractor-before-you-start-your-project
