Tips on Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

Interviews

• Choose at least three contractors to bid your remodel project. Several quotes will help you determine what a reasonable price is for the work you need completed. Interview potential contractors in person to see if the contractor is someone you get along with, can communicate with and trust. Make sure you are comfortable communicating with the contractor. Situations may arise when you need to redirect or instruct your contractor's performance. Choose a contractor whom you will be comfortable doing so with.

License and Insurance

• Ask the contractor for his contractor's license number before you commit to working together. Contact your state's contractor licensing department to verify the contractor's license is current and in good standing. The department should be able to inform you if there have been any issues with the license in the past.
  Ask the contractor if he will provide insurance for the remodel or if he expects you to cover insurance. If the contractor will not provide insurance, you may consider finding one who will. Otherwise, contact your homeowner's insurance provider to see if your policy covers remodels or if you need to purchase additional coverage.

Experience and References

• Determine the level of experience your contractor holds. In addition to the contractor's resume, ask if there is a portfolio of completed projects you can view. Ideally, this portfolio will contain before and after photos of projects the contractor has completed. Also, ask the contractor for a list of jobs he has completed and the value of the work.

  Ask the contractor for a list of references. Preferably, these will be previous clients the contractor performed work for. Contact these references and ask about the contractor's performance. Ask the reference how additional costs were handled, how well the contractor communicated potential issues before she impacted the project and if the project was completed within the original budget. Ask the reference if he would work with this contractor on future projects. Also, ask if the contractor used a crew to perform the work and if they were respectful.

Contract

• A comprehensive contract is essential when hiring a remodeling contractor. The contract should clearly state the scope of work the contractor is responsible for, the total cost, a promised completion date and a limited warranty for the work. The contract should also contain a process for the contractor to submit change orders if unexpected issues arise during the remodel. Keep in mind this is a legal document that both parties will be held to in case of litigation.