subject: Tips For Hiring A Home Remodeling Contractor In Scottsdale [print this page] Are you thinking about hiring a home remodeling contractor in Scottsdale? This guide is designed to provide you with tips for hiring a home remodeling contractor, making your project go smoothly. Specific requirements may vary from household to household; however, the following information includes helpful and important guidelines from which everyone can benefit.
A home improvement project can be very stressful, but you can make it less stressful by choosing your contractor carefully. The key to success is to check out everything before you part with your money.
According to a survey by Remodeling Magazine, kitchens and windows are in the top ten remodeling projects that are an excellent return on investment at resale. However, stress from remodeling is also in the top ten, 2nd after divorce according to a recent survey. Finding the right home remodeling contractor in Scottsdale puts you on the path to a happy outcome for both you and your home.
Hiring a Home Remodeling Contractor in Scottsdale: Before you set the appointment with a contractor, do your homework.
When choosing a home remodeling contractor in Scottsdale to interview, there are a number of questions to ask them on the phone:
- Are they a remodeling specialist? As anyone who watches "This Old House" knows, often unforeseen situations arise, and a remodeling specialist is more experienced in dealing with those circumstances
- Are they bonded, licensed and insured? Bonding and insurance companies generally require contractors to have licenses before they will underwrite them. Licenses are extremely important to good contractors. In the event you suffer some kind of loss due to the contractor's performance (or non-performance) you will not have the same recourse with an unlicensed contractor.
- What kind of experience do they have, and is that experience relevant to the proposed project?
- Where is their office and/or showroom? It's important that they have the stability of a place of business. It's also important if you need to track them down.
Before you meet with the home remodeling contractor in Scottsdale, do further investigation.
- In Scottsdale, you can check online at the Registrar of Contractors' website to see if the firm is licensed and whether there are a number of registered complaints against the organization.
- Check their track record with the Better Business Bureau.
Hiring a Home Remodeling Contractor in Scottsdale: Things to ask contractors at the appointment
Who is going to do the work? It's not just an order for remodeling-get an understanding of the company's process. Ask the contractor to explain their staff structure. Does the company assign a project manager, supervisor and customer service responsibilities? Get their names and ask them to introduce you to these individuals. Beware when all of these responsibilities lie with one person.
How complete is the estimate? Always do business with all of the elements in writing. Make certain everything is covered from demolition and removal of existing materials and new material and labor specifications. A reputable home remodeling contractor in Scottsdale does not write estimates on the back of a business card. Understand how they are using terms like "bid," "estimate," and "proposal." Realize that until all of the details are determined, a contract should not be finalized. Get several estimates before you make a decision. And, if you have variations of estimates that exceed 10 to 15%, you should get a better understanding of the differences.
Ask about the timing. When there isn't enough emphasis on operations and project management, or the contractor is dependent on subcontractors, often the effect is delays and more delays. Demand a calendar-probably there will be changes, but at least you have a benchmark for the process.
Be straightforward about how much you can spend. This information is as vital as most home remodeling contractors in Scottsdale will work on options to achieve your desires. References- ask for a list of previous customer references and follow-up with them.
Questions like ": would you hire this company again?" should be asked. Ask if you can look at some previous similar jobs to give you a gauge as to the quality of their work. Also ask for supplier references. If suppliers aren't paid on a timely basis, or if they are on C.O.D., it may be an indication that they have not established credit, or worse, they are struggling financially.
