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Getting antsy to remodel your home? You might think
your kitchen or bathroom needs a remodel right this minute, but
remember: Haste makes waste.
Rather than rushing to hire the first - or even cheapest - contractor
you come across, asking the right questions upfront will help you
filter out the bad apples and find a reputable contractor to meet your
needs.
"I want my clients to feel 100 percent comfortable with me," says
Shawn Kruse, president of the Remodeling Contractors Association of
Connecticut and owner of Kruse Home Improvement, LLC. "And honestly, the
more investigation they do about me and questions they ask me, the
better it is for me. It helps me get the job."
As Kruse points out, a thorough investigation can benefit both parties in the end.
"Potential clients learn about your credentials, background and
experience. They start to get to know you and see if your personalities
can get along," Kruse acknowledges.
You may know exactly what you want out of your remodel - from the
fixtures to the flooring - but you should know what you want from your
contractor, too. Don't settle for the first or cheapest bid. Your
contractor will control the project - and probably your stress level -
from start to finish, so it's important the two of you are a good match.
If you want to find a contractor who suits your needs, try asking these six questions during the interview.
Question #1: What's Your Business History (and Much More)?
You wouldn't hire a surgeon without knowing how many surgeries he or
she has performed, would you? Well, your home is about to go under the
knife, so you'll want to evaluate contractors with the same level of
scrutiny.
Kruse suggests first asking questions about a company's business
practices and experiences with the remodeling project you need. Find out
what kind of procedures and rules this contractor would follow to meet
your demands.
Here are a few other things Kruse thinks you should ask contractors:
- How long have you been in business?
- Are you licensed by the state?
- What percentage of your clientele is repeat or referral business?
- Are you a member of a national trade association?
- Do you have a list of references from past projects similar to mine?
- Have you or your employees been certified in remodeling or had any special training or education?
Kruse also recommends contacting a client with whom they are
currently working. "This way, you can see how things are conducted on a
day to day basis," he says. "You can find out if there are problems or
issues that have arisen, and ask how well they communicate throughout
the project."
Question #2: Do You Provide a Detailed Written Contract?
Misunderstandings happen. People forget. Things change. But a
contract helps both you and the contractor know what is expected from
both parties.
Every job, no matter how small, should have a signed contract by the
contractor and customer, Kruse says. Seems like a no-brainer, right? Not
so fast - the devil is in the details.
"A contract should be very specific and point out step by step what
will be going on throughout the project and before it even begins," he
adds.
Some things that should be on a contract - all written in great detail - include:
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all parties involved in the project, including vendors
- Detailed list of the work to be completed
- List of each product along with its price and model number
- Who is responsible for pulling permits
- Where deliveries will go and where the dumpster will be placed
- What time the workers begin and end their day
- Project's start and completion dates plus payment schedule
- All work carried out by subcontractors
Anything that changes along the way must be written and signed in a
change order, which makes sure everyone is in agreement on the change,
price, time, or anything else that is adjusted from the original
contract.
Question #3: How Much Do I Need to Put Down?
If the contractor asks you to pay for all of the project's cost
upfront, it's time to find another contractor. An unreasonable deposit
is the first sign something is fishy, Kruse says.
The Better Business Bureau's website suggests going by the rule of
thirds: Pay one third at the beginning of the project, one third when
work is 50 percent complete, and one third after it is final and you are
satisfied with the outcome.
But chances are your contractor will have a formula to determine how
much money is needed to get the job started. "Most contractors go with a
15 percent down payment on larger projects," Kruse says. "My clients
usually give me the 15 percent deposit at the same time they hand me the
signed contract."
Keep in mind that if the job is a small one, it's okay to provide
money for the cost of materials - which might be 50 percent of the job
or a little more, he says.
Question #4: Can I Get Itemized Price Estimates?
Some contractors like to hand you a bid with one price estimate for
the entire project because it's less work on their end. Don't let them.
You will need details on all the costs associated with the project and
each item purchased.
Here's why an itemized estimate is essential: If midway through the
project you decide to put in a less expensive countertop than the one
originally discussed, you need to know the exact cost of the first
countertop. Without it, you have no way of knowing how much of a credit
you should receive.
An itemized price list should detail the cost of labor, demolition, materials, electrical, plumbing, permits, and more.
Kruse explains how an itemized estimate is better for client and
contractor: "It just makes it easier to track work, and it's transparent
to both the client and I of what is expected on the job. I also offer
my preferred vendor list to our clients so they know who we are buying
their products from."
Some contractors use their estimates as proposals, but these might be
very inaccurate and could mislead the homeowner, Kruse says. Don't
assume anything. Be certain that once you sign a contract, what you see
on paper is what you will be paying.
Question #5: Who Will Be at the Site?
Just hiring your contractor doesn't ensure he or she will be the one
hammering and sawing. They might only show up to sign the contract and
present the finished product. It's important to know that certain
contractors manage their companies by getting bids or supervising many
job sites at once and are not hands-on people.
How do you find out which one you have? "Ask potential contractors
who is going to be in charge of your project at all times," Kruse says.
"You need to meet with that person, get a feel for what he/she is like
and get acquainted a bit. Go check out that person at one of their
current jobs."
In their "Home Sweet Home
Improvement" guide, the Federal Trade Commission urges homeowners to ask
if subcontractors will be used on the project. If so, homeowners should
ask to meet them to make sure they have insurance coverage and proper
licenses.
When meeting the subcontractor, ask if the lead contractor pays them
on time. Why is this little detail important? According to the Federal
Trade Commission, "A 'mechanic's lien' could be placed on your home if
your contractor fails to pay subcontractors or suppliers," who, in turn,
could take you to court to retrieve their unpaid bills.
Question #6: Do You Think We Can Get Along?
Just like any good relationship, the one between you and your
contractor should have harmony, communication, and collaboration. Some
personalities and styles just don't mesh, so don't pick someone just
because their bid is the lowest, says Kruse.
Your contractor will be part of your daily existence for quite some
time. They will see how your children behave, how you don't water your
plants, and how your breakfast dishes sit in the sink all day.
Hiring a contractor without much thought can be a big mistake, says
Kruse. "Sometimes [homeowners] end up with work that is less than
adequate, or they give these shady contractors a large chunk of money
upfront and then they never show up again."
Protecting yourself from these nightmares means knowing exactly who
your contractors are before you hire them. After all, it doesn't hurt to
ask - but it sure could hurt if you don't.
