Has choosing your home renovation contractor kept you from getting started on your home renovation project? I know we have all heard horror stories about relationships with your home renovation contractor going off the rails. If you do your homework, you can avoid all the pitfalls and have your dream house on a budget and schedule.
DON’T STRESS. JUST FOLLOW THESE RULES FOR HIRING A HOME RENOVATION CONTRACTOR.
Rule One – Do not make the mistake of failing to check the contractor’s references.
Most people looking for a home renovation contractor start their search on the internet by typing in -”home renovation contractors near me, which turns up the local companies with the most effective internet marketing strategies. They are not necessarily the best in their field or even home renovation contractor specialists. They might be running a highly effective SEO internet marketing campaign.
Start by getting local references in your neighborhood from people who had gone through a home renovation. Ask your realtor, your community online group, and of course, do your research on the internet. Do search for home renovation contractors near me and see whose name keeps popping up in all your searches.
Remember that sites like Angie’s List and Houzz contractors pay for their listings, but they can’t buy their reviews. Pay attention to grades and customer reviews. Market researchers have uncovered many Facebook groups where you can buy Yelp reviews. I would take those five-star reviews with a grain of salt.
Once you have some serious contenders for your home renovation contractor, check them out with your state licensing board to make sure they are licensed and insured. You can also check the BBB Better Business Bureau and local Chamber of commerce to ensure they have no active complaints.
THE FINAL STEP IS TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK TO ACTUAL CUSTOMER REFERENCES AND FIND OUT:
- How satisfied were they with the quality of the work?
- Were their expectations met?
- Was the work delivered on time and budget?
- How easy was it to communicate with their contractor?
- Did the contractor and the team show up when they said they would?
- Was the quality of the material as promised?
- Would they recommend them to their friends?
And anything else that you can think of that is critical to ensure your comfort level.
RULE TWO- DO NOT HIRE ON PRICE ALONE.
Sometimes buy picking the lowest-priced bid, you will end up paying more and regretting it.
If you shop by price alone, you can be missing the details. A bid may often look similar, but you must dig into the details and the fine print.
Sometimes a lower cost means that your home renovation contractor is using less-experienced workers. They may have the basic skills but not be the true artisans needed to get the job done to the level you desire.
Make sure you understand the quality of the materials supplied in the bids you are comparing. Is your home renovation contractor using the best quality materials for the job? Did they budget for the quality of wood flooring and custom wood kitchen cabinets that are part of your design expectations?
The budget should reflect all of your requirements. You don’t want to be negotiating after the fact about the quality of the materials. You do not want any hidden surprises.
RULE THREE- DO NOT HIRE YOUR HOME RENOVATION CONTRACTOR ON A HANDSHAKE. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING.
To ensure your home renovation goes to plan, you should always get everything in writing, from the initial proposal to the contract to begin work. Make sure you read the fine print and that everything is spelled out in the contract. Do not begin the job until the contract is signed. An executed contract protects both you and the contractor against any misunderstanding.
WHEN IN DOUBT, SPELL IT OUT.
- the estimated costs
- the scope of work
- materials to be used such as brands of appliances, HVAC, grade of flooring cabinetry, etc.
- payment schedule
- contingencies in place for any additional charges or delays.
It is critical to include a 10% to 15% contingency in the budget for the unforeseeable things in any home renovation. You can’t predict if you are going o run into stuff like hidden water damage, electrical wiring, or have to replace plumbing. Better to be prepared
So, start with the internet and search Home Renovation Contractors near me and do your research. After your due diligence, pick the best fit for you and your project. Pick the home Renovation Contractor you can trust.
Structura Home Remodeling is the most trusted home renovation contractor in Los Angeles, serving the Los Angeles community for more than sixteen years and a top choice for elegant and creative home renovation solutions with your budget in mind.
The Design Team at Structura offers a free in-home budgeting and design consultation. Their clients love their attention to detail, excellent artistry, and professionalism. They deliver on time, on budget—great pricing, “0%” interest, and “0” down.
Call Structura today for a free in-home design estimate or a virtual video design estimate.
Structura Remodeling and Design- tops in Los Angeles. No job too big or too small. Let us design and build the home improvement and backyard patio ideas you have chosen to increase your home value.
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