Amazing DIY kitchen remodel
Homeowners take on role of general contractor
Read MoreYou’ve collected inspiration, assembled a remodeling budget, and determined your design goals. It’s time to take your project to the next step: hiring a general contractor.
The key word when hiring a contractor or subcontractor is “trust.” Hiring an unlicensed or disreputable contractor can cost you both financially and emotionally. It’s critical to find a trustworthy professional who is proven, honest, and respectful with how they treat you and your living space.
Follow the steps below to start finding your own trusted contractor today.
A personal recommendation is often the best way to start. Assemble a list of contractors by asking friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers who they have worked with.
Forty-two percent of homeowners start their search with off-line, word-of-mouth referrals, according to a survey of 1,729 homeowners. That’s compared to only 13 percent of homeowners who reported that they began a search for a contractor using Google.
Chart data courtesy of Proremodeler.com
If you’re not able to find a personal recommendation, online services can be a great tool. Luckily, there are several places you can go to find information and reviews about contractors in your area. Here is a list of free online services you can use to start generating your contractor list:
Customer reviews are a great source of information, and may suggest topics to address when you meet your potential contractor in person or over the phone. All of the sites above (except NARI) have ratings and reviews, but cross-reference those customer experiences with other websites including the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google. Companies may also have customer reviews posted on their website.
Ensure that the contractors on your list are licensed and insured. Licensing standards vary across the nation, but most states and counties have websites where you can verify whether or not your pro is properly licensed.
Take note of any complaints written in a review, and see if the contractor provided a response. Are they argumentative, or charitable? Do they try to resolve customer complaints, or place the blame on the homeowner? These online conversations will give you an early glimpse into their communication style and customer serviceability.
In order to get accurate quotes for comparable work, provide each contractor with exactly the same information about your project in as much detail as possible. If you know what kind of materials and brands you want to use, name them. The clearer you communicate your project scope and goals, the more accurate the quotes will be.
Start with:
Take the time to interview prospective contractors. Remember that you and your pro will be sharing the space and making decisions together for the duration of the project. Connecting with a person and being able to communicating well is more important than the numbers, which can always be negotiated. At the initial phase, it’s key to pick someone that you feel comfortable working with.
Here are some questions you can use to start off your interview:
Knowing a contractor or subcontractor’s business history is important to make sure that they are legitimate and reputable.
Misunderstandings happen, especially with projects as complex as a kitchen. A detailed written contract helps you and the contractor know what is expected from each other. The contract should be very specific. It should detail each step of the project and include an estimated completion date.
Change orders are part of every kitchen project because there has never been a perfect kitchen remodel. It is not possible for yourself or the Pro to account for every single detail in the initial contract. Make sure that each change order is agreed to by everyone. Clearly note the change, price, time and any adjustments that need to be made.
A contractor’s payment terms often depend on the scope of the work. Generally, the contractor will ask for an initial deposit of up to 30-50% of the total budget. It’s not recommended to pay the entire job up front. You should hold a significant portion of the money until the project is completed, and all details are to your satisfaction.
A quality contractor will provide a price estimate itemized with cost of labor, demolition, materials, electrical, plumbing, permits, and more. An itemized list is important because you may encounter unexpected expenses midway through your project. For example, say you discover mold in your walls. To properly clean it, you need to trim back your existing budget, so you decide to put in a less expensive countertop than the one originally discussed. It’ll be important to know the exact cost of the first countertop, to make sure you’re credited back the right amount.
Your contractor will not be the only person working on site; in fact, they may not do any of the physical labor. It is very common for GCs to be responsible for supervising and coordinating multiple projects and job sites including your project. Ask your contractor for a list of subs that they are using. The subcontractors are the muscle behind the remodel, and you’ll want to know who they are.
Request at least three bids from the contractors you feel comfortable with. Ask them to include a breakdown of the price and estimated start and finish dates. Throw out bids that are greatly underpriced or over-priced compared to the others. That could be a sign that a contractor is either cutting corners or overcharging you. If you laid out clear and detailed information, the quotes should cluster within a small range.
As you compare bids and get closer to making a final decision, reach out to references and previous customers. While it can be time consuming to call and email references, it’s worth the effort. The information they provide may prevent suffering down the road. Ask them if the contractor stayed within the budget and within the start and finish dates. Find out if there were any quality concerns or problems with having the crews working in the home.
Construction bids are not the place to bargain-hunt. The lowest bid may result in disappointing work, costing you in the long run. Evaluate bids based on the contractor’s competence and experience executing similar projects.
Read every word of the contract before you sign it. Feel free to bargain over details before you sign. A contract should include:
Be available for questions as they arise. Keep an eye on your project, but refrain from hovering or engaging in long chats with the crews. If you have a concern, be friendly but firm. If an unexpected problem appears, be willing to work with the contractor to find a reasonable solution.