Finding the Right Contractor for Your Home Remodeling Job
If you're thinking about remodeling the kitchen, bathroom or some
other room in the house this summer, you're in good company.
Industry experts are predicting this year will be one of the busiest
on record for remodeling. "I just saw the results of a recent survey
of professional remodelers and if they're any indication, people
in the home remodeling business are going to be dealing with backlogs
for some time," says Dennis Day, a spokesman for the Associated
General Contractors of America (AGC), the largest and oldest construction
trade association in the United States.
While you may be excited about finally getting a project you've
been wanting to do for a long time done, Day says you shouldn't
just jump into the process without first doing some careful planning.
"Deciding who to hire to do the different aspects of your job requires
careful consideration," he says. "And a good place to start is by
checking out a company's references and reputation.
Here is a checklist to follow:
* Verify the contractor's licensing and insurance.
* Make sure the contractor has at least five years experience and
is an expert doing the type of work you need.
* Contact the Better Business Bureau to see if information on your
candidate is available.
* Ask how many jobs like yours the contractor has completed.
* Ask for examples of work the contractor has done on other projects.
* Ask the contractor for references from ten current and/or past
clients who have had work similar to yours done.
Most business comes to a good contractor from referrals, so investigate
these references. Randomly call at least three. "You should ask
the people you call if they were satisfied with the job done, if
there were any delays in the work schedule, if workers showed up
regularly and on time, and if the work area was well-maintained.
It would also be good to know if the contractor held firm to time
and cost estimates, how questions and complaints were handled, and
if the person you're talking to would use the contractors again,"
says Day.
The contract you sign with the contractor should include clear
information on all aspects of the job including the scope of the
work, specific materials to be used, start and projected finish
dates, and the progress payment schedule. Be sure all parties understand
the terms of the agreement or contract. The contract can be used
for your protection if the project is delayed, incomplete, or damaged.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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