The hardest part in evaluating a remodelor is knowing exactly what to look for and ask. This detailed list will help you decide with confidence who is the best professional for your home.
Business Experience and Management
Does the remodelor:
- Maintain a permanent mailing address, e-mail address, published personal phone number, fax number, and a cell phone, pager, or voice-messaging system? You will want to be able to reach the remodelor quickly and easily, especially at critical times.
- Carry insurance that protects you from claims arising from property damage or jobsite injuries?
Ask for a copy of the remodelor's insurance certificates so you can be sure you will not be liable in these situations for property damage or jobsite-related injuries. Ask the remodelor how much the project will add to your home's value and obtain the necessary additional insurance.
- Have an established presence in the community? How long has the company been in business under this name? Longevity suggests financial stability.
- Does the remodelor maintain solid relationships with experienced independent trade contractors such as plumbers and electricians and work with them as a team to keep your job running smoothly?
- Possess a trustworthy reputation among customers, peers, local officials, and people involved in all aspects of the industry?
- Does the remodelor have a track record of successful projects similar to one you are planning? Ask for a list of building materials suppliers and call them to see if the remodelor has an account or pays for materials on delivery. Most suppliers are willing to extend credit to financially sound companies.
- Actively participate in a trade organization such as the Remodelors Council of the Metropolitan Builders Association? This and similar organizations help to keep their members informed about new products, construction techniques, business practices, and industry issues. Participation demonstrates a remodelor's commitment to professionalism and the remodeling industry.
- Has the remodelor earned any professional designations? Through certification programs, these organizations confer designations such as Certified Construction Professional (CCP) Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR), Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), Certified Bath Designer (CBD), or Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) to those who meet the requirements.
- How long has the remodelor you are considering been a member of the MBA or other trade associations?
Construction and Technical Expertise
Does the remodelor:
- Have a working knowledge of the many types and ages of homes in the area? Knowing what is likely to be behind a wall or under a floor helps the remodelor to provide reliable estimates. An extremely low bid may indicate lack of experience and an inability to later cover the actual costs involved in the job and create unnecessary change orders.
- What products and materials would the remodelor be likely to use for your project?
- Does the remodelor offer an array of options and thus demonstrate knowledge of and experience with a variety of products, materials, and techniques?
- Specialize in particular types of projects?
- Arrange for the building permit? (The person who obtains the permit is the contractor of record and therefore liable for the work).
- Offer a warranty? If so, what kind and for how long? What is covered under the warranty and what is not?
- Agree to begin and complete your job within a reasonable timetable?
Customer Service and Communication
Does the remodelor:
- Respond promptly to your inquiries?
- Schedule meetings and attend them on time?
- Emphasize service and developing a trusting relationship with you?
- Listen to and understand your needs and wants and work with you to ensure that the plans for your job accurately reflect your expectations?
- When discussing your written priorities, does the remodelor show enthusiasm for your ideas and suggest ways to make them work within your budget? Ask the remodelor for examples of how the company has solved similar space problems for other customers.
- Facilitate communication among all parties involved in the project?
- Will the remodelor provide you with schedule updates so you can make appropriate decisions and prepare for any unavoidable inconveniences? Ask how the company handles communications during the construction phase of the job such as a message center in the house for communication between you and the remodeling team, including the designers, architect, and independent trade contractors.
Customer References
Before you sign a contract, ask the remodelor to share names, phone numbers, and/or e-mail addresses of their complete client list. Take the time to see the remodelor's work and talk to their past customers.
Ask to see jobs similar to yours. Does the quality of the work meet your standards?
Ask the homeowners:
- Would you hire this company again?
- Did the remodelor maintain a neat jobsite, provide regular broom clean-up, and haul away debris including personal trash?
- Did the remodelor keep labor and materials delays to a minimum so that your job could be started and completed on time and within budget?
- Did you find the remodelor easy to work with? Did the remodelor keep you informed as the job progressed?
- Did the remodelor supply you with paperwork in a timely fashion?
- How well did the remodelor deal with the problems that arose?
Once you have interviewed past customers, there are a few final steps to take before making your decision.
Ask yourself if you feel comfortable with the remodelor and are confident that this company will do the work according to your plans, budget, and specifications.
If you are satisfied with the answers to your questions, ask for a written estimate of the work to be done based on a set of plans and specifications. Be prepared to pay for this package. If the estimated cost of the project is more than you can afford, see if you can trim something from the project or postpone part of it so you can still work with a professional remodelor.
Ask the remodelor to explain the plans and specifications and company procedures to you. For instance, once construction begins, how does the company handle changes to the initial design, choice of materials, or schedule. If you compare your estimate with another, be sure each one is based upon the same set of plans, specifications, and scope of work. If your remodelor suggests any deviations, ask the remodelor to present them as options separate from the main proposal.
Find out whether the remodelor uses a detailed, written contract that protects both of you and that complies with local, state, and federal laws. The contract must spell out the work that will and will not be performed and provide a fair payment schedule.
Select the remodelor with a track record of a variety of excellent projects and plenty of experience with your type of project. Beware of an exceptionally low price.
Once you have completed all the steps on how to evaluate a remodelor, congratulations! You can now choose with confidence the best professional home contractor for your home.
This article has been provided by the Metropolitan Builders Association, a non-profit and non-partisan association which represents the building industry in the metropolitan Milwaukee area, as part of National Remodeling month in May. The MBA develops and offers education for consumers as well as members. By establishing business ethics and industry standards, the MBA has earned a reputation as a trusted resource. Consumers enjoy our promotions for housing and housing products, while members take part in our professional and social activities throughout the year.
