Choosing the right contractor to complete your home remodeling project is a significant decision that requires time and research to make. The company you choose will be responsible for helping you design and build your safe haven; the place you spend the most time in, host friends and family, rest and relax, and make memories. You deserve to have complete confidence in who you choose for your renovations.
We have worked with countless homeowners who before they met us, ended up disappointed and underserved by a contractor in the past before. Because of that, and even if we don’t to the work, we educate homeowners on how to choose the right contractor.
As you sift through your options and meet with different companies about your home remodeling project, here are seven questions to ask yourself:
1. Am I clear about who they are and what services they do and don’t provide?
A reliable company will be able to clearly express the heart of who they are, their credentials, and what they do as well as what they may not do to set fair expectations. Unfortunately, there are many companies out there that overpromise to get the work and then underdeliver due to limited resources, experience, or project management capabilities. If you lack clarity about the basics of the company after your initial meeting with them, it may not be the right company for your project.
2. Do I feel confident in the level of professionalism I’ve experienced so far?
The right company will be professional and instill confidence in you each step of the way. Your thoughts after discussing your project with them should be something along the lines of, “They know what they’re doing, and I’d feel less stressed about the project with them involved.” If you walk away from a meeting with a company and feel concerned about their level of professionalism, ability to effectively manage the details, and/or experience doing what you’re looking for, it may be time to talk with a different company.
3. Have they taken the time to listen to my vision, needs, and/or preferences for the space?
While professionals in this industry are typically gifted at identifying unexpressed needs, and addressing them, the company you work with must take the time to listen carefully to what you want. You are the one who is living in the space, you are the one who needs to love the final product, so it is your voice that should be heard in the initial stages of design and layout. The right company will care about your vision and find ways to bring it to life without sacrificing the functionality they know you’ll need.
4. Do I feel that they’ve been upfront with me about the process of remodeling?
The details matter as much as the big picture when it comes to home remodeling projects. When a company fails to be upfront with you about its process, it is often because they are hiding details to avoid being accountable to you throughout the process. While every project has variables, you should have a clear understanding of what to expect from them, and when – including potential delays or speedbumps – before you’ve made any large commitments. And the lines of communication should remain open throughout the life of the project.
5. Are they requiring me to pay a large amount of money upfront?
To keep it simple, it is a red flag if a company is requiring you to pay a large deposit before work even begins. Jay Cipriani, owner of Cipriani Remodeling Solutions, has always said that whoever has the control of the money has the power. It is your project and your investment, so you should only pay as the work progresses to your satisfaction. The right company will work to earn your trust, not demand it at the onset.
6. Have they promised me a timeline that seems unrealistic?
To secure work, some companies take up the habit of promising fast turnarounds though they know the project will extend beyond what’s been promised. In some cases, their intentions may be good – they reason that if they can do what is necessary to convince you to agree so they can start working, you’ll see their value and care less about the timing. But this opens the door to mistrust and problems down the road, especially in today’s market where delays outside of our control are so common (like delays in getting the plumber out to your project and/or delivery of materials). All we’re saying is that if someone promises you a 2-week turnaround for remodeling your kitchen, it’s ok if you raise a brow. You want to work with a company that is honest about the details even if it may not be what you are hoping to hear. Most importantly, get a start and completion date in writing.
7. Have they provided me with a project contract that is clear and detailed?
Much like the importance of being upfront we mentioned in #5, the agreement you are provided with should clearly outline what you can expect during each stage of the project. An example of how detailed a contract should be is having the brand name, model number, size, color, and quantity of every product that is being installed in your project. It should also serve as a checklist of sorts. The more detailed the agreement is the more power you have in the process, and the more accountable they are making themselves to you. A detailed agreement indicates an honest, communicative company. If the agreement you receive is a one-page document with a broad outline of the scope of the project, you may want to reconsider signing it.
After 40+ years in the business, we’ve heard it all! Too many homeowners that have walked through our doors have been sorely mistreated by previous contractors. We are here to help you avoid being one of them by sharing how to effectively choose the right one from the very beginning.
If you have any questions about our process or home remodeling in general, please feel free to reach out. Our team would be happy to answer any of your questions.