Choosing a contractor might not seem like the most important part of your renovation, but in most cases, it is. The person you hire to take on your project is the one who makes sure everything fits your style, budget, timeline, and overall expectations.
When asking how to choose a home renovation contractor, you’ll want to consider their experience, skills, availability, and certifications or licenses. While you can find this information from a cursory search, you’ll want to dig a little deeper and interview your prospects before signing anything. In this article, learn what you’ll want to see in a trustworthy professional – and what to look out for.
Ready to start planning your home renovation? Get in touch with the JBDB team to get started! With more than two decades of experience, we’re here to help with your entire project from coming up with ideas to transforming your space into something new. Contact us today for a consultation!
Consider Skills and Experience
When it comes to choosing the right contractor, start by considering whether they have the expertise to carry out your vision. There are several ways to vet a builder’s experience:
- Read reviews. Make sure to compare reviews from their website as well as third-party sources like Google reviews. If there are major discrepancies between these sources, it can indicate that something is off.
- Read testimonials. Similar to reviews, testimonials can give you excellent insight from satisfied customers. Testimonials go beyond a star rating and are often more detailed than basic reviews.
- Review design portfolios. Project photos tell you a lot about the quality of work you will receive. Before and after galleries, in particular, are great for showing how a contractor executes their client’s vision.
- Check licenses and certifications. Contractors should have either a residential remodeling license or a residential building contractor license.
- Ask friends for recommendations. Word of mouth is often the best way to learn about qualified professionals who can offer the services you’re looking for.
- Check how long they’ve been in business. Hiring a brand-new contractor can be risky because you will have no idea what to expect.
At James Barton Design-Build, we’ve been helping clients create their dream homes since 1997 and have won multiple awards in the Twin Cities. Learn more about our history and how we can make your design vision a reality!
Interview Your Prospects
Knowing how to choose a contractor for renovations can be difficult at first, but you’ll have a much better idea of your options when you talk in person or over the phone. The questions to ask may depend on your project, but here are a few basics you’ll want to cover:
- What is your experience with this type or size of project?
- How many other projects do you have going at the same time?
- What licenses and certifications do you hold?
- What can you tell me about the subcontractors you work with?
- Which team members will be working on my project?
- Who is responsible for securing supplies and materials?
It’s important that your contractor is easy to work with, but remember, subcontractors often do much of the hands-on construction work. While you likely won’t speak to any of the subcontractors during the vetting process, make sure you can trust the contractor to choose the right workers for your project.
At James Barton Design-Build, we typically obtain all the supplies you need upfront, which ensures the project stays on schedule and goes smoothly through all the stages.
Gauge Their Communication Skills and Availability
You should feel comfortable talking to the contractor and getting your ideas across. If you feel like it’s difficult to see eye to eye during your initial meeting, it’s likely a sign of how your future conversations will go as well.
While a contractor should be responsive, remember that good contractors are almost always busy. Not having immediate availability is a good indicator that they’re in high demand.
It can actually be a red flag if a contractor says they’re available to take on your project immediately, especially if they offer to move things around to get to you. While it might seem like a good sign, it can indicate they would do the same to you when they get another new client.
Compare Quotes and Bids
After interviewing candidates, you’ll want to obtain quotes from a few of your top prospects. Bids should cover a breakdown of expenses for:
- Labor
- Materials
- Profit margins
- Other costs
In typical bids, materials make up about 40% of the total cost, and typical profit margins are between 15 and 20%. However, this can vary.
You’ll want to stay away from builders who offer extremely low bids. This is usually a sign they’re willing to cut corners and take shortcuts on your project. Likewise, excessively high bids are a warning sign that you may get charged for things you don’t need. Comparing multiple quotes will give you a good idea of what you should pay.
How to Choose the Right Contractor: The Bottom Line
Picking a professional is never easy, especially when taking on such a large and important project. Interviewing your prospects, checking portfolios and reviews, and comparing bids will set you up for success and help you avoid common pitfalls.
At James Barton Design-Build, we strive to exceed our clients’ expectations by using the latest project planning tools, working with subcontractors who share our attention to detail, and communicating with honesty and transparency throughout the entire process.
Schedule a consultation to get started on your home renovation project. We’re excited to collaborate with you and share our experience to execute your ideas!
