The nuts and bolts of choosing a remodeler
When you are planning to remodel your home, whether it’s a kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, home addition or whole-house renovation, it’s best to have a goal and budget in mind.
Sometimes it’s difficult to have a clear idea of what things cost, especially since materials and products have increased recently. But even if you have a range of how much you want to spend, a professional remodeler should be able to provide you with a realistic budget to meet your needs and wants.
As you begin researching your project and start looking for a remodeling contractor, look for a company that has experience with your type of project.
Remodelers will offer a range of styles. Whether you like luxury, artistic, modern and bold, or traditional and timeless — make sure your contractor has completed projects close to the style you’re going for.
You should be completely confident and comfortable with the remodeling company you are hiring, so it is helpful to understand their remodeling processes. This includes the shared vision for what your finished project will look like, the cost and timeline. Will you be comfortable with them in your home? Are they easy to reach if you have questions? Are they friendly? Do you feel confident in their capabilities?
Be sure to ask for references, and you’ll learn a great deal by talking with other people who worked with the remodeler.
It’s also important to be aware of the size of a remodeling company. Bigger is not necessarily better; but small doesn’t always equal positive either. Some people prefer a larger company, while others are more comfortable when they know the owner is actually involved in the project and has a team that they frequently work with at the job site.
Take the time to get to know your remodeling contractor. After meeting with them in person, did it feel right? Evaluate their communication skills. Are they hard to get a hold of ?
If they are not communicating well at an early stage, you may not be able to depend on them to be responsive and communicative throughout your home renovation. It’s important that you hire someone that you like, are comfortable with and can see yourself working with for potentially many months.
This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. To contact the author email kevin@vickconstruction.com . For information on this article, contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net . To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, visit www.ghba.org.