What to Ask a Remodeling Contractor Before Hiring

When hiring a remodeling contractor for home renovations, it's important to ask the right questions up front to ensure you end up with a qualified professional and understand the full scope of the work. Here are some key things to ask:

• How long have you been in business? Look for an established contractor with several years of experience and a good reputation. Ideally, they should have been in business for at least 5-10 years. Newer contractors may have lower overhead costs, but more experience is valuable when taking on a complex remodel. More experienced contractors will have a proven process, more connections/resources, and expertise handling common challenges that may come up in a remodel. However, a newer business isn't necessarily a deal-breaker if the contractor has relevant experience and comes highly recommended.

• Are you licensed? Make sure the contractor is properly licensed and insured in case of any issues. Licensing requirements vary by state and project size. Liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance are important to protect you and the contractor in the event of any injuries or property damage. If the work being done requires permits, the contractor should also be able to obtain those and ensure all work passes final inspections. Ask to see proof of all required licenses and insurance.

• Can you provide references? Contact previous clients to get reviews of the contractor's work, timeliness, and professionalism. Check review sites as well, but reaching out to direct references provided by the contractor is best. Ask references about the quality of the contractor's work, if the project was completed on time and on budget, how the contractor handled any challenges that came up, if the reference was satisfied with the post-project cleanup, and if the reference would hire the contractor again or recommend them to friends/family. Look for a long list of positive references and reviews showcasing experience with projects similar in size/scope to yours.

• What's your availability and timeline? Discuss the contractor's current projects and availability to make sure they can dedicate enough time to your remodel and complete it in a reasonable timeline. Get an estimate of the total time required based on the specifics of your project. Ask if they have a waitlist or if they can start your project soon if you move forward. A busy contractor may complete projects quickly but have less availability, while a less busy contractor may have more availability to focus on your project but take longer overall. Find the right balance of availability and timeline for your needs and flexibility. If you have a tight timeline, discuss their capacity to meet that and options if delays occur.

When hiring a general contractor, consider:

• Licensing and insurance: Ensure the contractor is properly licensed and insured in case of injuries or damage.

• Experience: Choose a contractor with experience completing projects similar to yours. Check references from previous clients.

• Cost: Obtain written estimates from multiple contractors to compare prices. Less expensive is not always better if quality may suffer.

• Communication: Select a contractor who communicates well, answers questions thoroughly, and is reachable during the project.

• Contract details: Review the contract in detail and make sure all work, timelines, and costs are clearly specified before signing.

Other things to evaluate:

• Reviews: Check online reviews to see the contractor's reputation for quality work, professionalism, and meeting deadlines/budgets. Look for a pattern of positive reviews, not just a few isolated comments.

• Process: Ask the contractor to walk you through their typical process for a project like yours. An established process indicates experience and preparation to handle issues that may arise.

• References: Contact references provided by the contractor to get firsthand feedback. Ask about the quality/thoroughness of work, if the project was completed on time/budget, how issues were handled, and if the reference would hire the contractor again.

• Compatibility: Consider how well you communicate with the contractor and if you're on the same page about priorities, timelines, and expectations. You'll be working closely with them for the duration of your project, so a good rapport is important.

Bondaro Construction can provide references and walk you through our end to end process to ensure a quality remodel delivered on time and on budget.