Home Remodeling - Hiring a Home Remodeling Contractor

If you have decided to remodel your home and do not plan on doing it yourself, you will need to hire a reputable home remodeling contractor. Hiring a contractor is not a decision that should be taken lightly. If you make a bad choice, your remodel may not come out the way you desire. If you make a really bad choice, you could be throwing hard-earned money right out the window.

Here are some tips for choosing a home remodeling contractor:

• Get Referrals- Instead of hiring a remodeling contractor from the yellow pages, try getting recommendations from friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers.
• Ask for Estimates- Getting a firm estimate in writing will be very important when it comes time to pay the home remodeling bill. It will also allow you to compare prices and determine what type of work can be done on your budget.
• Verify the Contractor's License- Contractors and builders must be licensed and insured to perform residential and commercial work. Verify a contractor's license by contacting your state's Department of Labor and Industry.
• Get References- Do not hesitate to ask potential remodeling contractors for references. They should be able to provide you with written references or contact information for recent clients. If the contractor cannot provide references, you may want to consider hiring someone else for the remodeling project.
• Check the Contractor's Record- In addition to getting references and referrals, you should also contact the Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org, to make sure no complaints have been lodged against the contractor. If the contractor has a bad track record, ask for explanations or hire a different contractor.
• Ask About Experience- Find out how long the contractor has been in business and ask about what type of projects they have completed in the past. This will help you determine whether or not they are qualified to handle your home remodeling project.
• Consider the Contractor's Specialization- If you plan on remodeling your kitchen, you may not want to hire a remodeling contractor who specializes in bathrooms or windows. Try to find contractors who specialize in a particular area. They will be much more familiar with your type of remodeling project.
• Establish a Deadline- Remodeling contractors sometimes take on more work than they can handle. Be sure to ask the contractor how long it will take to complete the home remodeling project.
• Get a Contract- Once you choose a remodeling contractor, you will want to establish a written agreement or a contract between the two of you. The agreement/contract should include detailed information about the work that is to be done, the materials that are to be used, the time frame and the cost of the remodeling project. Always review this type of document carefully and never sign an agreement that you are not comfortable with.