How To Choose a Home Remodeling Contractor

Did you know there are more than half a million remodeling businesses to choose from in the US? Of course, this doesn’t mean the choice will be easy. There’s plenty of horror stories out there from people who have chosen the wrong general contractor, so researching trusted companies to get a bid from is a must. 

If you have friends, family or neighbors who have recently renovated their home, word of mouth can be a great place to start for trustworthy contractors in your local area. Ask them who they used, what the process and timing was like, and if they would use them again.

Even with a good referral, it’s always a smart idea to secure more than one bid to weigh up your options and costs. Once you have secured a few bids, try not to look at costs alone. It’s not uncommon for people to go for the lowest price only to be stung with a huge bill when poor work needs to be redone or there are extra fees and costs hidden in the fine print. 

There’s no way of knowing for sure until the job has started if you’ve made the right choice, but here are five ways to feel confident when choosing a home remodeling contractor. 

1. Ask for references

When you have some contractors completing bids, ask if they can provide references. 

Ask about the jobs they have finished recently and see if you can speak to any of their customers. Do they have before/after photos you can view to see the finished product?

Photos are great, but it’s also important to note that you’re not shopping for the bricks and mortar. When choosing a home remodeling contractor, it’s the professionalism and craftsmanship you need to focus on, so it helps to speak to people who have dealt with the business before. 

2. Read their online reviews

Before getting a quote from any contractor, it’s a good idea to check out their website and local review sites such as Google and Yelp to see what people are saying about them and get a feel for their reputation.

References will usually be positive because they are from customers that have been selected by the contractor. Sometimes online reviews can usually paint a more balanced picture. They’re not always the most trustworthy (you don’t always get the full story from strangers online!), but if there’s more positive than negative words being spoken about the company, you can probably rest easy. 

3. Ask lots of questions

Remodeling projects are rarely straightforward, so you should have an open dialogue with your chosen contractors. Make sure there are no nasty surprises by being really upfront about what you’re looking for and making sure that you and the contractor are on the same page. 

Note what the communication is like when you approach anyone for a quote. Are you greeted with professionalism and in a timely manner? Do they show up when they say they will? Make sure you deal with a company who handles communication well and interacts with integrity. The way they communicate with you is a good indication of what they’ll be like to deal with, so if they aren’t helpful or open to discussion, this could be a red flag. 

4. Look at their credentials

One of the most important steps when choosing a home remodeling contractor is to check their credentials such as licensing and insurance. It’s never worth risking your home with an unlicensed tradesperson. 

Make sure any contractor or business you hire is:

Licensed: Are the contractors licensed for the work required and do they hold memberships with the local or national bodies? Do your homework and see what kind of training, qualifications and licenses they hold. 

Bonded: A contractor’s bond is a financial guarantee that the terms of a contract will be fulfilled. This protects all parties from financial loss if the contractor doesn’t follow through with the terms of the original agreement. It’s also not simple to obtain, so successfully having a bond is a good indication that there is high confidence in the business or tradesperson being able to execute on the contract. 

Insured: Contractors can pay a premium that covers claims and incidents if something goes wrong — such as worker’s compensation if an accident occurs on site. Not having adequate insurance puts you both at risk of liability. 

5. Ask about warranties and guarantees

Most renovation companies will provide a warranty on workmanship and installation for one year. Be sure to find out the details and terms of any warranties or guarantees before assuming that work will be redone at no cost to you. If there is a dispute or it’s not deemed faulty, you may need to pay again for work to be fixed. 

Get the best renovation for your home, guaranteed 

Hiring someone you trust to manage your home remodeling project will go a long way in protecting your home and finances. Contractors and businesses should be honest and upfront about timelines, costs, and what is workable. If they can’t provide this or you can’t find information on their licenses and work history, walk away. 

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