Home Warranty
Remodeling? Five Tips for Choosing a Reliable Contractor
 
by Shannon Dauphin
 
Choosing someone to help with your new home remodel is a serious decision. There are many home remodeling contractors out there...how do you choose which one is best for you? These tips might help:
 
1.        Ask Around. Talk to people who have already done a home remodel. Who did they use? How was the service? Take a look at the work yourself if possible, and make your own evaluations on how well it was done. Gather names of those who seem to get the most praise.
2.        Look at the Paperwork. When you get in touch with the contractors, ask them for a free estimate on letterhead. Look at their business cards--they should be very professional. Ask for written guarantees on their work, a brief history of their company, and a list of references.
3.        Evaluate the Contractor Prices. When you have all the estimates in hand, sit down and compare them. An estimate that is far too high is probably going to be tossed, but beware of those that are shockingly low--this could indicate a lack of experience with home remodeling or an improper view of the job request. Most contractor prices should be in the same average range.
4.        Double-Check Their Reputation. Have you found a firm you would like to hire? Check them out! Call the Better Business Bureau, ask if the contractor is bonded and licensed, and request proof of third-party insurance for all workers. Ensure their registrations and memberships in local Home Builders Associations are valid. If all checks out, you might have found your perfect home improvement contractor!
5.        Watch for Warning Signs. Beware of any contractor who requires cash payments. A contractor will probably request a portion of payment up-front, but the total amount should not be paid until the job is complete. Finally, if the contractor gets upset with your questions and accuses you of asking too much, find someone else. A professional will welcome your questions and give you full, honest answers.

 

Don't trust your home remodel to anyone less than a professional, reliable contractor. Home remodeling can be a huge project, one contractors don't take lightly--and neither should you.

 
About the Author:
Shannon Dauphin is a freelance writer based near Nashville, Tennessee. Her house was built in 1901, so home repair and renovation have become her hobbies.
 
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