Recently we have all felt the pressures of a less than strong economy. For those of you that are property or homeowners one avenue for maintaining or improving your equity is to remodel or add an addition to your current home. When you start a project as important as remodeling or adding to your home, you need to have 100% trust in your contractor. Using some caution and being diligent in your selection process can help guarantee a successful project.
All contractors are NOT the same. Some are good at building new homes, others are good at renovating old houses, and still some others are just really good handymen. Picking the right contractor for the right job is key. Whether you are hiring someone to do a small kitchen renovation or adding on a large addition to your home take time to talk to your contractor about his career experiences. Things to think about include:
· How long has he been building or renovating?
· Does he specialize in the type of construction that fits with your project?
· Is he licensed, bonded and insured?
· Does he have any referral clients you can talk to? If so, contact his past customers and ask to see the project that was completed. Does the quality of his workmanship meet your standards?
· Does he have a portfolio showing some of his past work? Before & after pictures?
· Is his estimate for your project a reasonable price? BE AWARE of low bidders who add to the project w/ unforeseen change orders.
It’s the old adage you get what you pay for. Most contractors strive to provide good quality craftsmanship in their work. Customer service and honesty are important factors. The biggest benefit of a satisfied customer is the opportunity for referrals and the chance to work on another project again together in the future.
To view other frequently asked construction questions please log on to www.hci-nw.com
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