Choose a model remodeler!

The cost of remodeling fluctuates greatly. Make sure each contractor provides an estimated completion date, a step that can save you thousands of dollars and weeks ? if not months ? of construction disruption.

See comments below

PRINT    E-MAIL

Related service pros
Hire a tree guy
Top-rated roofers
Plumbers
Handyman services
General remodelers
All Home Services pros

Related advice
10 tips for hiring a contractor
Remodel or Move?
Maintaining your remodeling budget
All Home Services advice

• Know exactly what you want from your remodeling job
  
  The more detailed you can be about the size and details of the project, the better. Knowing this information will help you decide what kind(s) of contractors to contact for an estimate, and allow those contractors to give you the most accurate estimate possible.
  
  
• Know when you want your remodeling project completed
  
  Do you want the new guest rooms in your mansion finished in time for the holidays? Do you need your living room remodeled before the new year? Know whether or not this deadline is hard or soft. Is this when you want it completed or when it must be done?
  
  When contacting potential contractors, briefly describe the project you have in mind and ask if it's their specialty. Your objective is to find out whether a contractor has experience with the kind of work you need done. If you want to change your roofline to accommodate a new solarium, for example, a contractor with little to no experience in roofing won't be able to help you.
  
  
• Get estimates from at least three remodelers
  
  The cost of remodeling fluctuates greatly. Make sure each contractor provides an estimated completion date, a step that can save you thousands of dollars and weeks — if not months — of construction disruption.
  
  Find out how long potential contractors have been remodeling homes. Also, ask whether they use subcontractors (such as drywall installers, bricklayers, or electricians).
  
  If so, find out how much experience these specialists have. For example, if you want a floor plan changed and don't have an independent architect, could the contractor or someone in the contractor's company design a new floor plan?
  
  
• Check your remodeler's availability
  
  If a remodeling contractor can't even start on your home for two months, you'll need to decide whether that will fit with your desired completion date.
  
  
• Check the remodeler's references
  
  Make sure you get references from each remodeling contractor and that you follow up with each reference. A few minutes on the phone could save you months of aggravation.
  
  
• Confirm insurance and licensing
  
  For remodeling jobs, a contractor should have three types of insurance: worker's compensation, general liability, and property damage.
  
  If you're having electrical or plumbing work done (and, in now-rare cases, asbestos removal), confirm that your contractor has the appropriate license.
  
  In most states the professional licensing division performs license verifications online. In order to use the service, get the contractor's full name and license number.
  
  
Understand your contract

Review sample contracts of your potential contractors. Confirm that the contract includes a detailed description of work to be done, its cost, payment schedule, start date, and estimated completion date.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Nobody has commented on this article yet. Be the first. Submit your comment using the form below.

Comment on this article

Name:		You are not currently logged in.
Comments:
		*HTML not allowed. Comments will post within 5 minutes.