Home renovation brings a lot of excitement, but it also leads to a lot of stress. Finding the right home contractors is just as important as designing your dream project.
How can you be sure that you’ve hired the right professionals?
Reading contractor reviews is one of the most important steps in the hiring process. Hiring a company without reading its reviews can be disastrous.
Most reviews are honest and truthful, summarizing the pros and cons of the company’s work.
Understanding the home renovation costs of your proposed project will also help you find the right company.
You must come up with a budget and stick to it so that you do not hire a company outside of your price range.
Last (but certainly not least), the success of your house renovation lies with your ability to weed out the scam artists and verify the contractors’ credibility.
If you are hiring an individual who claims to be an expert with electrical work, you must ask for his or her credentials. Failing to do so could be disastrous.
Learn more about how to find the right home improvement company by reading the topics discussed below.
Know Your Home Renovation Budget
A home renovation budget is crucial for all projects, regardless of their size.
Whether you plan to repave your driveway or add an addition on to your house, you must come up with a realistic budget and stick to it.
Home renovation costs depend not only on the type of project, but on your location. In areas with higher living costs, expect to pay higher renovation costs.
Certain home contractors may charge more than others. Some companies may have additional fees that others do not.
Creating a house renovation budget is important to avoid overspending.
First, conduct research into the type of renovation you are doing. If you know someone who did something similar, ask him or her for a rough estimate of costs.
Another way to get a general idea of renovation costs is to visit online local forums.
Many websites provide local businesses and contractors that give general estimates for things like roof repair, deck installation and kitchen makeovers.
Your home renovation ideas may change a bit after you create a budget. Don’t be afraid to ask contractors about less-expensive options that are similar to your plans.
Most companies can still achieve the look you are going for by swapping out less expensive materials or redesigning cosmetic feature.
Find Out Your Home Contractor’s Specialty
Home contractors typically specialize in a handful of areas.
General handymen may have experience performing a variety of renovation work, but there are usually one or two fields in which they shine.
Ask your home renovation contractors about their area of expertise. You would never hire a plumber to perform roof repair, so why would you hire a general contractor to do it all?
It’s best to hire an expert to perform specific tasks. That way, you know exactly what you are getting and can feel safe in your home.
One way is to read contractor reviews to find the best of the best. If you need an expert electrician, look to online handy apps or websites.
Browse through a list of available professionals and read reviews from past customers. Electrical work must be performed by licensed and qualified contractors, so it is especially important to find someone cut out for the job.
During the home renovation process, it may occur to you that you do not have the right contractor for a specific task. It is always best to delay the task in order to find a specialized worker.
Letting a general handyman tackle a tough project might be the quickest method but can be risky and lead to more problems.
Check Your Home Renovation Contractor’s Credentials
Home renovation contractors come in come in all types. From painters and sanders to plumbers and pipe professionals, finding all the right experts is a time-consuming process.
However, it is vital that you verify all your contractors’ credentials to avoid falling victim to a scam.
Searching for “find a handyman near me” online is a great way to get connected with local professionals. However, you should do some more homework in following.
Do not settle on the first name that pops up.
Most house renovation professionals are legitimate, but scams do exist.
It is important to verify all professionals’ credentials before they begin performing work on your home.
All states have a licensure board for contractors. In order to perform state-approved construction work, contractors must be licensed by the board.
Visit your state’s website to search for your contractor’s license and qualifications. Some states even have a mobile app or phone number you can use to verify credentials in a pinch.
Read Contractor Reviews
Aside from checking the credentials of your home renovation contractors, you should also read plenty of reviews from previous customers.
Just because a renovation professional has a license does not mean that he or she is pleasant to work with.
Contractor reviews are honest summaries of an individual’s skills, behavior and professionalism.
Legitimate reviews posted on trusted websites, such as Angie’s List, are vetted and verified. Common reviews include notes about:
- Whether the contractor stuck to a schedule.
- His or her punctuality.
- His or her professionalism.
- Whether the contractor provided updates.
- The quality of his or her work.
A quick search for “home remodeling contractors near me” will provide a list of local professionals in addition to websites where you can read a variety of reviews.
The best review websites include HomeAdvisors, Angie’s List, Yelp and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The house renovation shows that are popular on television often make the entire process look like a breeze.
What they do not show, however, is the point of detail with which homeowners search for qualified contractors.
It may be a pain but taking the time to read reviews can make the entire renovation process a success.
