| The hiring of contractors for home remodeling | | | | are given. |
| projects is not a task to be taken lightly. Therefore, | | | | - Request a list of business and supplier references. |
| it is recommended that you interview and investigate | | | | You want to know that he/she keeps all business |
| a minimum of three home remodeling contractors | | | | accounts in good order. |
| before making your decision to even request bids on | | | | - Ask if the contractor has done any home |
| your project. | | | | remodeling projects similar to yours in the past year. |
| Equally important in this interview stage is being | | | | Ask for references from those projects. |
| aware of what the questions are that you should be | | | | - Ask what percentage of the contractor's business |
| asking. Most homeowners will be focused on the time | | | | comes from referrals and repeat customers. Once |
| line for their project and of course, on the final cost | | | | again, ask for references. |
| of the project. However, these are items that can | | | | - Ask whether the contractor or his/her employees |
| be addressed a little later on, once you have | | | | have taken any specific training in the area of home |
| determined if the home remodeling contractors that | | | | remodeling. Some designations they might have are: |
| you are considering have the type of reputation you | | | | - CR: Certified Remodeler |
| are looking for. After all, they will be working in your | | | | - CRS: Certified Remodeler Specialist |
| home. | | | | - CLC: Certified Lead Carpenter |
| Here are some questions you will want to ask when | | | | - CKBR: Certified Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeler |
| interviewing home remodeling contractors: | | | | Here is a question that is often overlooked. If this will |
| - How long has the contractor been in business? You | | | | be a large or ongoing project, does the contractor |
| want to avoid fly-by-night companies and those with | | | | supply bathroom facilities for those working on the |
| very little experience with remodeling. | | | | project? |
| - Will the contractor be supervising the project? If | | | | And finally, what does your gut tell you? Listen as |
| not, who will be supervising? | | | | much to what is not being said and to what is being |
| - Will the contractor be using his/her own employees | | | | said. |
| or sub-contractors? | | | | A respected referral service is a good place to start |
| - Does the contractor have Workers Compensation | | | | when shopping around for a professional to help you |
| and liability insurance? Ask for proof and follow up to | | | | with your home remodeling projects. Contractors |
| verify that these items are up to date and in good | | | | must meet the criteria set out by the service before |
| standing. | | | | they will be accepted or referred. Even so, |
| - Who will be responsible for following up on Workers | | | | circumstances can change, so a bit of due diligence |
| Compensation and liability insurance issues for | | | | on your part is still required. |
| sub-trades if they will be used? | | | | Taking the time to investigate and interview home |
| - Check with your state to find out if your | | | | remodeling contractors, before signing a contract, will |
| contractor requires licensing to work on your project. | | | | help save you headaches and sleepless nights down |
| If so, request proof of licensing and verify the proof | | | | the road. It will also help to build your trust in the |
| you are given. | | | | contractor you ultimately choose and give you |
| - Find out if he/she belongs to any national trade | | | | confidence that your projects will be completed to |
| associations and once again verify the answers you | | | | your satisfaction. |