Remodeling Frequently Asked Quesitons

• Selecting Your Contractor
• Ask The Contractor 
• Ask Yourself
• A Carefully Written Contract Includes
• Interviewing a Remodeler - What Questions Should You Ask?
• Living Through a Remodeling
• Questions To Ask Reference
• Warning Signs During Interviews
• Most Asked Questions Of Contractors

Selecting Your Contractor

• Get written specific bids from three contractors. Compare the bids and ask questions. Don't assume the lowest bid is the best deal.
• Verify that each contractor has an active license.
• Ask for and check references. Look at other jobs the contractor has completed.

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Ask The Contractor

• What experience, expertise or certifications do you have? Do you specialize?
• Who will do the actual work, you, subcontractors or your employees?
• Who will get the permits?
• How many other jobs will you be working on at the same time as mine?
• What written warranties do you offer?
• Who can I call if I have questions or concerns during the project?

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Ask Yourself

• Do I have rapport with this contractor? Do we communicate?
• Does this contractor seem honest and forthright?
• Am I prepared for unexpected costs and delays?
• Do I have reasonable expectations of my contractor, knowing my home isn't the only job on which this contractor may be working?

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A Carefully Written Contract Includes

• List of materials to be used, including quality, quantity, weight, color, size, brand names, etc.
• List of allowance items and the budgeted amount. An allowance is a specific amount of money to buy items not yet selected. When these items, such as light fixtures, exceed the allowance, the homeowner pays the additional amount.
• List of permits and who will get them.
• Starting and completion dates. You may want to add an incentive clause. This could encourage the contractor to finish the job ahead of schedule.
• Payment schedule: Agree in advance to a payment schedule that coincides with work completed. Don't pay for everything up front.
• An agreement that all "change orders" will be signed by the contractor and the homeowner. Each change will be dated, and will include the nature and cost of the change and will state the party responsible for any additional cost.
• Workmanship warranties and specifically what they cover.
• A copy of the CCB required residential construction notices. The total price.

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Interviewing a Remodeler - What Questions Should You Ask?

To Read More… Who will you choose to wield the hammer on your particular job? That isn't an easy question. Your choice of a contractor will ultimately determine the success and enjoyment of the job.

You can increase your chances of having a successful project by conducting qualifying interviews, following up on references and credentials, and considering all aspects of the remodeling project-the physical work and the emotional strain. You need to look for the person you feel will provide the best all-around service available-above-and-beyond the necessary construction skills.

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Living Through a Remodeling

You've signed with a reputable contractor and the remodeling work is about to begin. What you - and your contractor - do next about your working relationship will make the difference between a pleasant experience and an unhappy one.

Your responsibility is to choose the best contractor to do the work - one who is insured and bonded and has a reputation for quality workmanship, reasonable speed, fair prices, and pride in his work. After you've found a professional NARI contractor who meets these qualifications, step back and trust his or her skills - and your own judgment.

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Questions To Ask Reference

To protect yourself, always check the contractor's references. This is an essential stage of qualifying the right person for your project. Here are just a few questions to ask previous customers:

Could they communicate well with the remodeler?

Were they pleased with the quality of work? (This is a tough question, however, since everyone defines "quality" differently. It is much better to ask to see the completed project to determine the level of quality for yourself.)

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Warning Signs During Interviews

Avoid remodelers at all costs when:

• You can't verify the name, address, telephone number or credentials of the remodeler.
• The salesperson tries to pressure you into signing a contract.
• The company or salesperson says your home will be used for advertising purposes so you will be given a "special, low rate."
• The builder/remodeler tells you a special price is available only if you sign the contract "today."

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Most Asked Questions Of Contractors

Contractors share the short list of questions they are usually asked by homeowners and offer a list of questions they recommend you ask.

You would think that launching an entire remodeling project would spark a truckload of questions from wary homeowners who have heard the horror stories surrounding the world of remodeling.

Surprisingly, though, contractor members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) admit they aren't asked enough questions!

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