When you hire a remodeler, you are buying a service rather than a product. The quality of the service the remodeler provides will determine the quality of the finished project and your satisfaction with it. Listed below are some qualifications you will want to explore and questions you will want to ask when you interview a remodeler:
You've done your research and asked all the right questions, and now you're ready to hire a professional remodeler. However, before you have a contract drawn up, there's still a few more items to consider:
Business Experience And Management
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Business Experience And Management
Does the remodeler:
• Maintain a permanent mailing address, a phone number, and a pager or answering system? You want to be able to reach the remodeler quickly and easily - especially at critical times.
• Carry insurance that protects you from claims arising due to property damage or jobsite injuries?
• Possess a trustworthy reputation among customers, peers, and those in the remodeling industry?
• Participate in a trade organization? Membership reflects a remodeler's commitment to professionalism in the remodeling industry.
Construction And Technical Expertise
Does the remodeler:
• Have a working knowledge of the many types and ages of homes in the area? A sound structural and architectural knowledge of what is likely to be behind a wall or under a floor helps the remodeler provide reliable estimates. Extremely low bids may reflect a remodeler's lack of this knowledge and a poor understanding of the actual costs involved.
• Know what products and materials would likely be used for your project?
• Offer an array of options when selecting products, materials, and techniques?
• Specialize in particular types of projects?
• Arrange for the building permit? Remember that 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?
• Understand the scheduling issues required to begin and complete your job within your timetable?
Customer Service And Communication
Does the remodeler:
• Provide references or testimonials?
• Respond promptly to your inquiries
• Emphasize customer service?
• Listen to and understand your needs and wants?
• When you discuss what you'd like to do, does the remodeler show enthusiasm for your ideas and suggest ways to make them work within your budget?
• You should ask the remodeler for examples of how the company has solved home improvement challenges for other customers.
You've done your research and asked all the right questions, and now you're ready to hire a professional remodeler. However, before you have a contract drawn up, there's still a few more items to consider:
Estimates
Ask for a written estimate of the work to be done based on a set of plans and specifications. This is a time-consuming process for the contractor, so you should be prepared to pay for this package.
Make sure that you're comparing apples to apples. Estimates from different remodelers need to be based on identical project specifications.
It's a mistake to let price alone drive your selection. If you like a remodeler and are confident that he would do a good job, don't automatically switch to another contractor
(who may not rank as high in customer service, competence, communication, etc.) if the estimate is more than you can afford. You may be able to scale down by making a few modifications -
using quality stock rather than custom designed cabinets or selecting less expensive appliances or fixtures.
The Right Fit
Remodeling is a very personal process. The remodeler you hire will be part of your home life for several weeks or months, so it's important to make sure that your personalities work well together.
If, for example, you want to know every detail as the project progresses, you probably won't be happy with a remodeler given to one-word answers. The bottom line is: Do you feel comfortable with this individual?
A strong rapport and close communication with your remodeler will help make any job go well.
Understanding Your Contract
Once you've picked a remodeler, no work should begin until you have reviewed and signed a written agreement or contract that spells out in detail the what, where, how, time span, and cost of your project.
What Should Your Contract Include?
• The contractor's name, address, telephone number, and license number (if applicable).
• A visual representation - blueprint, floor plan, sketches - that shows what the remodeler will do and where.
• The timetable for the project, including approximate start and completion dates.
• The price and payment schedule.
• Detailed specifications for all products and materials. The description of each item should provide enough detail to clearly identify it, such as the brand name, model number, color, and size. This section of the contract may also describe any materials to be selected later, who will choose them, and the amount of money (called an allowance) set aside to pay for each item.
• Information on who will obtain and pay for necessary permits and other approvals.
• Insurance information.
• The procedures for handling change orders.
• Lien releases to ensure that you are not held liable for any third-party claims of nonpayment.
• Provisions for conflict resolution in the event of a contract dispute.
• Notice of your right under the FTC's Cooling Off Rule to cancel the contract within three days if it was signed someplace other than the remodeler's place of business.
• Details on issues like access to your home, care of the premises, phone and bathroom use, and cleanup and trash removal.
• Provisions for conflict resolution in the event of a contract dispute.
Once you have read your contract carefully, review it with your remodeler to clarify any wording you do not understand. If you still have questions after this meeting,
you should discuss them with your attorney. When all your questions have been answered, you're ready to sign the contract.
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