The Top Three Questions Remodeling Contractors Are Asked Are:
1. How much will it cost?
2. When can you start?
3. When will the work be finished?
While these are three great questions, they simply do not provide you with enough information about a particular contractor to enable you to make an informed, intelligent decision. By asking the following questions you’ll stand a much greater chance of hiring the right contractor and avoid becoming another unfortunate victim of a “nightmare” remodeling story.
These Are The Questions You Should Be Asking:
Questions You Should Ask to Help You Choose a Reputable Contractor:
A reputable contractor should be able to answer POSITIVELY to all of the following questions. You would be wise to avoid any contractor that can’t. (Note: We strongly urge you to print this out for use if you interview other contractors.)
- Will the remodeling contractor provide you with a written contract that clearly spells out exactly what he will do, what his price includes and does not include including a guaranteed price, payment schedule and a completion date?
- Will the remodeling contractor require all change orders to be in writing to eliminate any misunderstandings and unexpected cost overruns?
- Does the remodeling contractor carry general liability insurance?
- Does the remodeling contractor carry worker’s compensation insurance?
- Is the remodeling contractor a member of the local Better Business Bureau?
- Does the remodeling contractor offer a warranty on all workmanship?
- Will the remodeling contractor pull any necessary permits?
- Who will be in charge of my job? May I meet this person?
- Has the remodeling contractor been a party in any construction litigation in the past five years?
- Will the remodeling contractor provide you with adequate references?
- What percentage of the contractor’s business is repeat or referral based?
- How many projects like yours has the contractor completed in the last year or two?
- How does the remodeling contractor plan to reduce dust and protect the rest of your home from the effects of the work? (Good contractors erect dust barriers and use drop cloths and other protective materials to protect your home).
- How is daily and general clean-up handled?
- Will the remodeling contractor provide a Jobsite Communication Board that is checked daily for any questions or concerns you may have thought of after working hours?
Questions You Should Ask A Contractor’s References:
Ever notice how a lot of contractors will offer you a list of references – FYI, it is three or less avoid them – but they never tell you what you should ask these references.
The fact of the matter is that a reputable contractor should be able to provide plenty of positive references. You would be wise to avoid any contractor that can’t. Here are some examples of questions you can ask a contractor’s references.
(Note: We strongly urge you to print this out for use when you talk to references.)
- What type of project or projects has the contractor done for you?
- Did they do a quality job?
- Why did you choose this contractor?
- Did you get prices or opinions from other contractors that you feel had comparable specifications and credentials, if not, Why? And if so, how did they compare?
- Did the contractor finish within the timeframe he said he would?
- What would you say about the crewmembers that did your work – were they respectable and clean? Did they seem to know what they were doing?
- Was the contractor responsive to you your questions and/or concerns? Could you reach him quickly?
- Did they maintain a neat and orderly job site?
- Did the contractor do what he said he would do?
- Were there any additional charges, and if so, were they handled in such a way that left you feeling satisfied?
- On a scale of 1-10 (ten being highest) how would you rate your overall experience with this contractor?
- Do you have any reservations about hiring him again?
- May I come by to see the work first hand?