Five Tips On How to Select the Right Remodeling Contractor for You

In follow up to last week’s blog post about why now may be a good time to remodel your home, according to a recent survey by HomeAdvisors, about one-third of homeowners polled said they didn’t know how much remodeling projects would cost them, yet 75 percent of those surveyed said they’d like to do some home improvement in 2013.

If you’re in the camp of the 75 percent of respondents who are ready to improve their living space with efficient, smart and modern upgrades, RemodelWerks wants you to keep the following in mind when selecting your remodeling contractor—we’re confident these tips can help you find the right match and will also help keep you on budget:

Find out how long a job you’re considering should generally take. For example, do some research to find out the average time it takes a reputable contractor to gut, reconfigure and install a new kitchen. Talk to your neighbors who have remodeled their homes. Talk to your friends. Ask the contractors you’re considering for the job for a list of references who can give you a good sense of how long the project took and whether the finished product met the homeowners’ specifications.

Get a few estimates. This will help you hone in on the going rate in your area for the remodeling project you are considering. For smaller home improvement projects, two to three estimates is usually sufficient, whereas for a major remodel, like adding an addition to your home, it’s wise to get three to four estimates.

Make sure the contractor you select is fully bonded and insured. RemodelWerks is a NARI-certified remodeler that is licensed as a home improvement contractor by the state of Massachusetts. Check out the contractors you’re considering, by visiting http://services.oca.state.ma.us/hic/licenseelist.aspx and entering their name, city, and zip code.

Get the specifics about the project in writing. A reputable contractor should not take issue with you wanting to spell out the terms of the remodeling contract. If the contractor doesn’t want to enter into a written agreement, this may be a red flag that you shouldn’t hire him or her to perform the services. 

Find out what kind of guarantee the contractor offers on the work being performed. For example, while most construction and remodeling companies provide a one-year warranty, RemodelWerks offers a standard five year warranty on our work.

Once you’ve selected the right contractor for your remodeling project, be sure to read RemodelWerks recent blog post on what to discuss with the contractor before the remodeling project gets underway.

If you think now is the right time for you to remodel your home, contact RemodelWerks today for your free, no-obligation consultation. We are Central Massachusetts’ premium design/build firm. As a NARI-certified remodeler we will work one-on-one with you to develop a customized plan that meets your specifications and your budget.

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