When you’re undergoing a home renovation, you need to know that you’ve chosen the right contractor. You’re allowing multiple people into your sacred space, living with construction zones for weeks on end, and you need to feel confident that the contractors are trustworthy, skilled, and professional.
When selecting contractors to work on your home, start by clearly defining your project and goals. Then, seek recommendations from family and friends and conduct research online on resources like Angi, Homeadvisor, and Yelp. Once you’ve narrowed down your list, request detailed estimates from each candidate. Ask about their project experience, pricing and customer service, and look for reviews of their work on these websites.
Be wary of contractors that quote extremely low prices for projects like yours. These contractors may lack the proper training and experience needed to complete your renovation, or they may be underestimating the labor and materials costs.
Ask for a reference list from each contractor and contact past clients to discuss their experiences. Be sure to ask whether the contractor finished on time, within budget, and how well they communicated throughout the project.
The answer to this question will give you insight into how each contractor might handle unexpected challenges during your project. For example, if you’re renovating an older prewar co-op or brownstone with outdated plumbing and wiring, these are often complex tasks that will require the contractor to make judgment calls on the fly. They should also be willing to accommodate changes in scope and budget, as these are common occurrences during home renovations.