Home Improvement Contractor - Licensed Contractors
Questions to ask a prospective home contractor?
My husband and I are considering renovating our bathrooms and possibly finishing our basement soon. Right now I'm in the process of lining up contractors to get estimates from but I am unsure of what questions I should ask. I've never had work like this done so that is why I am asking. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks, Tara
Public Comments
- Beware! Make sure they are licensed. See if they are a member of the Better Business Bureau. See if in your state a person can check on the reputation of a contractor-but note a crooked contractor can always change his business name. The best thing is find someone who can recommend a contractor. And buy the materials needed yourself if you can-contractors sometimes make up any labor cost losses by jacking up the price of materials! Best of luck to you, if your marriage survives a remodel, it can survive anything!
- Is he licensed? Ask specifics about materials and methods. Contractors tend to give prices based on cheap materials, so when you decide you want better appliances, cabinets, trim, etc. it will be a change order and cost you unexpected money. Its better to know how much its really going to be up front. Check references. Also, be very weary of the lowest bidder. They are usually cheap for a reason.
- In my opinion, the most important question to ask, is, can I get some references. Please, call these people. Ask if they were satisfied with the contractors work. If at all possible, go look at some of their work. These people are trained to talk to you. They will tell you just what you won't to hear, in order to get the job. Also, you need to get something in righting, as to when the job will be completed. You need to have the contract state that if the job is not finished by the completion date, a certain percentage of the fee will be deducted from the price, per day or week, that the job is not finished. Whatever you decide is fair. If you don't do this, they could tear your bathroom up, leave for lunch and not return fo 2 or 3 weeks. Also make sure the estimate includes the cost of materials. Check to make sure they are licensed and that they have gotten all of the required permits. You could be fined if they don't get permits. Good luck!
- I would not comment on that the way you put it. The only way I would hire a contractor to do that kind of work is to find people that have had work done and find out if they were happy and see if one name comes up most for satisfaction. Ask every person you can.
