Handing over a large sum of cash is never easy. Skipping a holiday in a luxury destination, buying food that has almost passed its shelf life, cutting up one too many credit cards... Giving up life's luxuries just so that you can have that patio that you have always wanted. But just imagine going through all of this, but picking the wrong contractor for the job. BIG mistake.
So how do you make sure your house doesn't end up as a pile of rubble? First of all, you need to search for some suitable people for the job. Just going through the local directory won't do, so make sure you have a little word with your local trade association, building material suppliers, architects, home inspectors, independent trade contractors and insurance professionals. But the best way is to ask friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues who have had the experience of going through a home remodeling job. They will know first hand who is the most experienced and who to avoid at all costs.
Once finding someone acceptable, the next step is to do some research and see if there have been any complaints drawn up about this renovator, preferably by going to your local office of consumer protection. Asking local building inspectors about the chosen candidate can also be a big bonus, and they can attest to whether or not they have the right licenses and registrations that a genuine renovator should have.
However, doing all of the above is not enough to let someone run awry with all of your life savings. Further evaluation still needs to be done. Some other things that you may need to take into consideration are:
- Does the renovator have various ways of being kept in contact with? If your new kitchen sprouts a leak, it is vital that you have numerous ways of being able to reach them.
- Are insurance certificates readily available? If something happens to your property, you do not want to have to deal with the responsibility of any costs.
- How much will the renovation add to your property's value? This is needed so that you can obtain additional insurance.
- How long has the company been promoting themselves under this name? The longer they have been active, the more trustworthy they will be. If they were shoddy contractors, then they would take no time in changing their name and identity.
- Are the relationships that they have with trade contractors solid ones? And have they built a solid level of trust within the community, such as with customers and local officials?
- Will they be in charge of the building permission? If they claim that they are not obliged to do this, then DO NOT hire this renovator. Failure to include this in their contract with you would mean that you would then be responsible for anything wrong that happens whilst reconstructing your house.
- Do they offer a warranty and a timetable to when jobs are expected to be completed by and when the full remodeling project should be finished?
But the most important thing to make sure of when hiring a remodeler is that the communication and trust is always there. If you have a question, it needs to be answered promptly. And regular meetings with the contractor is a must, because if there is a problem, or if there is a change of heart in the bathroom tiles, it must be put across on both sides quickly.
So, if you think you have done all of the research required to find a trustworthy, reliable and talented contractor, then your money should be put to good use in insuring that your home is remodeled into what you have dreamed of. But remember, never compromise when it comes to hiring someone to be in charge of the bricks that could come falling down at any moment.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
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