Ready to give your home a makeover? Last year was full of homeowners getting creative with their house renovations, so why not join in the fun and refresh your living space today!
The reason is simple. Many homeowners choose to build extensions and renovate rooms rather than move home in this turbulent market.
But before you get that renovation booked, you’ll need to find the best contractor for the job. To help you do that, we’ve put together this guide to the top seven factors for choosing home renovation contractors.
1. Get References
Reputable companies will happily share references, past work, and case studies. And when reading online reviews, you should find lots of feedback from satisfied customers.
Read third-party review sites like TrustPilot as they check and verify authentic reviews. So they’re a valuable source of information to help you make your decision.
You want to look at feedback such as communication, attention to detail, and sticking to deadlines. Detailed reviews are more insightful than basic star ratings, so read the comments as much as possible.
Don’t forget to speak to friends and family about their experiences with contractors. Happy customers will always be ready and willing to recommend their contracting company to friends.
We’re always proud to showcase the fantastic work we’ve completed for our satisfied customers. You can browse those projects here.
2. Check the Contractor’s Website
A website will tell you some relevant information about a contractor. First, it should give you an idea of the home renovation experience that the contractor has and whether they have the right qualifications for your particular project.
A few things to check:
- Are they a local contractor?
- How long have they been in business?
- Are they licensed?
- Do they list a physical business address?
- Are they easily contactable by phone or email?
- Do they tell you about the people who work or own the business?
Those questions will reassure you that you are evaluating a trusted and reputable contractor business.
An established business will always provide verifiable information like addresses and phone numbers, so you know you are dealing with a trustworthy company.
You must check the contractor’s current license as you want to ensure you’re using a contractor that abides by regulations and will deliver a professional project for your home.
There are different licensing requirements for commercial and residential projects, so ensure the contractor has the correct one.
3. Check Insurance
Your contractor will also need the right insurance. If something goes wrong during the construction, you’ll want an insurer on hand to cover the costs of any damage.
Always ask to see the paperwork and check the dates and coverage terms of the insurance. If in doubt, speak to the contractor directly.
4. Agree on Payment Terms
When you get the final quote from the contractor, make sure you get a breakdown of what tasks they include as part of that estimate.
As a general contractor in Charleston, SC, we have lots of experience providing professional and transparent quotes to customers. Get in touch for our pricing to see how we compare.
You want to check the quotes you have cover everything you need. There should be no hidden costs or the need for potential contingency expenses should something go wrong.
Once you are happy with the quote, it’s time to agree on payment terms. That is important as it should tie in with your contract, so ensure you hold back final payment until you’ve signed off the completed home renovation project.
That will allow you the opportunity to get the contractor to handle any snags before they finish the work.
5. Arrange Interviews
Interviews are a fantastic way to evaluate your shortlist of contractor businesses.
It allows you to ask any remaining questions and put a face to a name. An experienced contractor will welcome the opportunity to reassure you about the project and talk you through their approach.
And they’ll be able to explain why they use particular methods or finishes with the more complex home renovation projects.
An experienced contractor should answer all your questions with confidence and assurance. Running several interviews will allow you to compare them side by side before making your final decision.
6. Set Expectations
Write a list of what you expect when the contractors complete your project. Ensure both parties agree to this before work starts. The most obvious items to include are the quality and specification of the work you need.
But you should also go further. Describe the finish you want and use images where you can.
Sometimes, even when a contractor has measurements, you’ll have a picture in your head of what you want the result to look like, which might not match what the contractor thinks you need. So pictures help.
In addition, include other expectations such as asking the contractor to clean up when they finish the work.
As a general contractor in Mount Pleasant, SC, a reputable company like ours will always ensure the site is clean (including the removal of rubble) before we finalize the job. And we’ll always carry out a final inspection.
Finally, ensure your written expectations include expected completion dates plus any interim milestones for larger projects. That will help ensure both parties work to the exact dates.
7. Be Confident About Running Inspections
Always feel comfortable inspecting the work as it happens, and don’t be afraid to speak up with any issues or questions. Schedule time each day to review the progress and whether the project is on track.
If something doesn’t look right, take the opportunity to chat with the contractor, and they will be able to explain their decisions. That will help you reassure yourself, and it will also help prevent any miscommunication.
Choosing Home Renovation Contractors: Next Steps
We hope you enjoyed this guide to choosing home renovation contractors. You’ll see some of our team’s fantastic work from our gallery of projects. Are you ready to join our gallery as our next showcased project?
Take that first step today by calling our team. We’ll happily visit your home to discuss your project and provide you with a no-obligation quote for the work.
