Remember the old saying that ‘Behind every dark cloud lies a silver lining?’ Well you can also say the opposite may be true. Despite the fact that you can find many honest remodeling contractors to work with, there are some who will give you a bundle of nightmares! It’s crazy if you were to listen to some of the things contractors tell their clients. So to help you out, below is a checklist to give you a smart start to your house remodeling:
Avoid low bids: People will do anything to have you hire them so you have to be cautious when taking this step. You might find a low bidding contractor that only ends up ruining your expectations. Specially when it comes to bathroom remodeling or other projects that will require different skills and equipment to complete. It’s also important to keep in mind that these kind of projects will usually mean also hiring a custom hauling service that can take care of all the debris and discarded material that remains. Find someone reputable and well-established and things should go perfectly fine. To accomplish this, you could try to obtain at least 3 different bids from different contractors before making up your mind on whom to choose. Remember, when the deal is too good… think twice.
Go through the references: Checking the past work records for each company (Better Business Bureau / Yelp.com, etc.) and ask past customers who have used the services of a specific contractor/company. Another good place to search for complaints for different contractors would be the state’s attorney general’s office.
Acquire a written contract: The benefit of a written contact is its clear specification of the details of what the remodeling process will entail. This is from the charges that will be incurred to the terms and conditions applied to payment. Never sign any contracts that have unclear amounts for materials and products. Once the project starts rolling, you will be following the terms alone.
Go through the paperwork: It is important to review the paper work which includes up-to-date insurance, license and workers compensation guidelines. A good place to get information on licensing requirements specific to your state is the Contractor’s License Reference Site. You are not the one who is responsible for the acquisition of permits…, it’s the contractors’ job and he/she should issue you a lien waiver once the remodeling job is complete to avoid issues with suppliers and sub contractors complaining of unsettled bills.
Never pay with cash: Don’t pay individuals / sub-contractors directly, instead issue a check to the contracting company. Paying through a credit card is an even more secure means. A good down payment would be something around 30% of the whole project cost, to purchase materials. Only make the final payment when the job is fully done and you are 100% satisfied and all permits are closed.
