subject: Hiring A Professional To Remodel Your Bathroom [print this page] So, you"ve decided to renovate your bathroomSo, you"ve decided to renovate your bathroom. Maybe you already know exactly what you want done, how you want it done and you already have a budget in mind. Or maybe you have no idea where to begin to make your bathroom exactly what you want. No matter which situation you find yourself in, you will want to consider hiring a professional to help you remodel your bathroom.
Once you go beyond the cosmetic fixes that can freshen up your bathroom, there are several ways to get in over your head when trying to remodel your bathroom yourself. Any time that electricity and water are both involved in a renovation, like in a bathroom, it is a good idea to hire a professional. But where do you begin to find the right person for your project?
First, consider what you need to have done. If you have experience with minor remodeling like painting, installing fixtures and similar things, you may want to hire professionals who can fill in the gaps in what you plan to do. You can find a plumber, electrician, etc. and coordinate all of the work yourself. Be careful when doing this, however, because things can quickly go astray if you don"t plan well.
Once you have your plan for how your bathroom will look and what elements you want to incorporate in your new design, you should make sure that everyone is aware of your expectations. One of the biggest complaints when people remodel part of their home is that it takes longer than they thought it would. Plan for this. It is a fact of life that renovations take time. It"s really no surprise when you consider all of the different people involved and how each one affects your timeline. If the plumber is a day late getting to the shower, then the person laying the new flooring has to be put off a day. And when it comes time to lay flooring, they may be behind schedule and take a few days longer than planned. And so on. If you start the project expecting delays you will be a much happier homeowner.
All of this coordinating may be making you dizzy just thinking about it. In that case, you may want to hire someone to handle the entire project for you from planning through completion. This is especially true if you have a big project that involves lots of different elements like moving plumbing or adding electrical components. There are services like Choice Bathrooms that can help you with every step of the process.
Your remodeling project will go much smoother if you keep some simple rules in mind when hiring professionals.
Before You Hire
Check out any professional that you plan to hire. Search for them online, talk to friends and neighbors about them and learn about their reputation in the community. You can also ask for references from the company that you plan to hire. If you can"t find information about them anywhere or if no one has ever heard of them, you may want to consider going with another company or individual. It is important to know who you are letting into your home, and there is no better way to do that than from other people who have used the same service.
Once you choose the professional that you want to hire, be sure to ask questions prior to signing any paperwork. Show them your design and talk about your plan. Ask about timeframe and budget. You will also want to know if they guarantee their work and what their policies are if something doesn"t go as planned.
During the Project
Get to know the professionals that are working in your home. The people working in your home may not be the same person who gave you an estimate on your job or that own the company that you hired, so get to know them. If you have a big project, these people could be in your home for a long time. Introduce yourself and take an interest in them. Be sure to let them know that you are the homeowner and if they have any questions about the plan or how things should be done, that you are available any time. However, do not cross the line into being annoying. There is no need to be standing in the bathroom as the plumber hooks up your shower or to pester them with questions as they try to work. Simply make yourself visible and available so that they feel like they are welcome in your home and that you are happy to answer any questions they have.
While the service providers are in your home is an excellent time to ask questions if you have any. For instance, if you have questions about how your new shower works, the plumber or contractor would be an excellent source of information. However, consider there is an appropriate time for questions "" after the project is complete "" when your questions will not hinder the progress of your bathroom remodel.
After the Project
Once all of the renovations to your bathroom are complete, try everything. If you have new faucets in your sinks, try them out. Run the water, hot and cold, and try the drain stopper. Make sure that your shower works and that the light switches all do what they are supposed to. Even if some of the parts of your bathroom were left untouched, you want to try everything to be sure that no wires got crossed during the remodel.
Now that you have the bathroom of your dreams be sure to maintain it. Keep an eye out for problems and call professionals promptly to fix water leaks or electrical issues so that the other elements of your newly renovated bathroom aren"t ruined by a leaky faucet in the future.
You can have the bathroom that you always wanted when you keep these tips in mind for hiring professionals to complete your project. You can also find more bathroom renovation ideas for small bathrooms.
