Research local contractors, check their reviews, and ask friends and family for recommendations. If you’ve tried all of the usual advice but still aren’t ready to make a decision, keep reading. 

Today, we have specific tips and advice for learning how to find a reliable home remodeler. 

Remodeler red flags: What to watch out for when hiring a contractor

Before you dig deeper into finding the most reliable home remodeler for the job, these warnings can help you narrow the list down in seconds. 

  • No references or a thin portfolio. Everyone has to start somewhere, but it’s rarely as the head of their own crew taking on home remodels. If they don’t have much to share about their experience, move on. 

  • Shady licensing or insurance. It’s simple–they have it or they don’t. If they evade the question, give excuses, or say they’ll have it by the time work starts, don’t risk signing a thing.

  • They’re too speedy. We’d all love to blink and have our projects done. But if they’re looking to start tomorrow or are estimating a timeline that’s half of what everyone else is, something’s up. The trade-off could be quality and safety.

  • Poor follow-up. As you inquire and negotiate, it takes them longer than expected to get back to you with answers. It’s common for great contractors to be busy, but this could be a sign of poor communication during your project.

  • Incomplete bids. Overlooking a detail on a bid is a definite indication that one could overlook an important detail of your remodel. The area they’ve neglected to address could be very revealing as to what can go wrong as well. 

  • Asking for large sums or full payment up front. An initial payment is common, but if it exceeds one-third of the total project cost or deviates from anything previously agreed upon, be suspicious. 

5 insider tips for finding the best home remodeler

With your shortlist of professionals in hand, here are five more in-depth ways to ensure you get the right person for your bathroom or kitchen remodel. 

1. See as many past project photos as you can. 

You don’t have to rely on their website alone. Check tagged photos on social media and request pics of projects most similar to yours. Accept in-progress photos as well. Seeing remodels underway can give you an idea of how a contractor runs a worksite.

2. Contact their references.

Most resources will advise you to ask a potential contractor a litany of questions. Many of these are indeed worth asking, but if you contact their references (and you should), don’t let them glaze over the details. 

Ask them if their project ran on schedule, if anything arose that they didn’t anticipate, if they were familiar with who was working on-site, and other particulars relevant to your remodel.

3. Look into their subcontractors.

Home remodelers arranging for workers with specialized skills, like plumbing or drywall, is a massive convenience. However, they could be doing a low-experience friend or relative in an adjacent industry a favor. In some cases, they may not even be aware of potential inconsistencies and problems with the skilled labor they subcontract.

Ask who will be working on utilities and other areas of specific expertise, and research them separately. They could have been subcontracted by other companies that wouldn’t invite them back, given the chance.  

4. Ask about projects that didn’t go as well as they’d hoped.

After years of being asked similar questions during job interviews, it’s finally your time to sit on the other side. Learning where some of a remodeler’s weaknesses may lie, or what they learned during a tough project, can speak to their honesty and willingness to continue developing their skills. It can also help justify some measures they take or requests they make. 

5. Inquire about warranties. 

Planning a kitchen remodel or similar project is no small feat. We often don’t consider what happens once it’s over, outside of picturing ourselves enjoying our new space. Ask for details about your remodeler’s warranties. Ensure your contract includes a time frame during which they will correct defective or substandard work. 

Also, request the manufacturer’s warranties for products and appliances they install. 

 

Experience and quality are available now at your local Designery.

From plotting the perfect, high-functioning layout to top-quality installation, The Designery can help streamline the long and often difficult remodeling process. You get reliable professionals with proven results in every field, from design to tile setting.

“The Designery provided one of the best customer service experiences I have had! Julie was amazing and helped me to create truly custom master, office, laundry, and pantry closets. She also worked with me in my quest to find the perfect powder room vanity. Every detail was taken into consideration, and communication was excellent,”

says our client, Janine. 

“Installation team did a great job, too. They were prompt and professional. I am looking forward to working with Allie and Robert on our next project, which will be a kitchen backsplash and master bath renovation. Highly recommend this business!!!”

Ready for a remodel experience you actually enjoy? Book a free consultation with us online or visit The Designery nearest you.