Hiring the right contractor for your bathroom to remodel is a very important part of enjoying a productive and successful project. That’s why you’re going to want to hire someone who you can get along with and trust.
Remember, depending on how extensive the project is, a contractor can be in your home every day for several weeks. That’s why, if you don’t like the contractor, it could end up becoming a pretty big strain on your life.
So, before you make a rash decision when it comes to your contract worker, here are some great tips to make sure that you are hiring the best person for the job.
Ask around for recommendations
When you are hiring a bathroom remodeling gc, you want to be as confident in your final decision as possible. A great way to increase that confidence is to ask your family and friends for any recommendations they might have.
It is also a good idea to talk with a building inspector who will know which contractors in your area meet the necessary code requirements.
You can also visit a local lumberyard and ask the workers there about the contractors that come in to buy quality products and who pay their bills on time.
Don’t Settle for One
You might have heard of a nearby contractor near you or a neighbor or friend may refer some prospects to you. However, if you want to get different bathroom remodeling viewpoints and get the best deal, it would help if you interview at least three bathroom contractors.
When it comes to bathroom remodeling, it’s best to have plenty of choices. By soliciting bids with different contractors, you’ll have a broader range of options, making it easier to find one the perfect contractor for your bathroom remodeling project.
To know the legitimacy of the company, visit the website of your prospective bathroom remodeling contractor to check their physical address, “About Us” page, and contact information. Also, you may view the bathroom remodeling contractor’s social media fan page to check what people have to say about their portfolio and services.
Study the Contractor’s Portfolio
A good bathroom contractor shows up in the interview carrying a picture gallery of previous bathroom remodeling projects, either on a smartphone, tablet screen, or in a picture book. Look at the past pictures before deciding if the bathroom contractor is the right one for you.
Here are the benefits of checking the portfolio of your prospective bathroom remodeling contractor:
- Design Suitability: It’s one way to determine if the bathroom designs of the contractor align with your taste.
- Conversation Starter: Sometimes, asking a lot of questions pertaining to licensing, business permits, and other credentials to a contractor can be a little awkward. So, you might want to view the portfolio of the bathroom contractor while finding a way to ask these questions without appearing too intimidating.
- Assess the Contractor’s Soft Skills: By checking the contractor’s past projects, you can also assess their soft skills, including communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills. While viewing the gallery, you can ask specific and follow-up questions that are related to your bathroom project.
Phone interviews
Once you have made a good list of three to five contractors that you think could be a good fit for your project, it is time to reach out to them by phone to hold some quick interviews. Great questions to ask include:
What is your current schedule like and will you be doing other projects during the same time as mine?
Are you willing to provide financial references from banks or suppliers?
Can you give me a list of your previous clients?
Make sure they’re prepared
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Once you have made your final decision on who you are going to hire for the job, you want to keep an eye on how they are preparing for the job before they actually break ground. A great contractor will want a complete set of blueprints and also be able to offer you a fairly accurate estimate for what the overall project is going to cost them.
Materials typically account for 40 percent of the job, while 15 to 20 percent accounts for the profit margin.
Payment schedule
A contractor who is willing and able to establish a payment schedule with you is certainly a preferred option to one who cannot. A common payment schedule includes a 10 percent down payment when the contract is signed, then three subsequent payments of 25 percent evenly spread over the duration of the project. Finally, the last 15 percent is paid out once the project is finished.
Put it all in writing
Before the contractor starts any kind of work, be sure to draw up a legally binding contract for every step. This includes your payment schedule, proof of liability insurance, worker’s compensation payments, materials that will be used, as well as the start and finish dates.
