The moment you decide to start a remodeling project, you might be filled with a combination of excitement and trepidation. Who do you want to hire to do the work? You may have several contractors to consider, so it’s important to make the right decision. If you want to know how to choose a remodeling contractor for your home in Matthews, you can count on us to provide the necessary details.
How Do I Find a Good Remodeler?
In order to start evaluating remodeling contractors, you’ll need to build a list of companies to compare. The good news is that you should be able to find at least a few near Dilworth. Here are a few ways you can determine what is available.
Ask for Recommendations
One of the best ways to find companies is to ask friends and family for recommendations. Someone who did great work for someone you know has a higher likelihood of meeting your needs. Be sure to look at the work they did and determine if it’s similar to the project you want. If you like the work, add them to the list and make a plan to look them up online.
Research Online
If your request for recommendations doesn’t yield any options, or if you don’t have people to ask, feel free to search online. It’s easy to find contractors online based on location. You can do a simple search for your location and the purpose, such as “home renovation companies in Plaza Midwood.” This search should result in at least a few options that serve your area. Make sure to click through so you can take a look at their work, to determine if it’s right for you.
Read Reviews
While you’re online, it’s a good idea to read some reviews. You can often find reviews on social media platforms, like Facebook, Houzz, Yelp, or sites that collect businesses in specific industries. Filter it down by location, so that you can find a contractor in Southpark or another location. Look for recent reviews, to ensure that the company is still doing projects on a regular basis. Read each review with a grain of salt. If most of the reviews are positive, the renovation company might be worth progressing to the next step.
How Do I Choose the Right Contractor?
Now that you have a list of companies, it’s time to narrow it down. Choose at least a few contractors who meet your basic expectations, and plan to contact them. Follow this checklist to ensure you get everything you need.
Request a Consultation
The first thing to do is to request a consultation. Be sure to ask if they will come to your home in South End for the first meeting. Some contractors like to visit your home first to take a look at the space and determine whether they can do the work you want. Others might prefer an office meeting to answer initial questions about the company before you start.
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Verify Qualifications
It’s important to hire a contractor who has the right qualifications for the job. Ask about licenses and insurance. Get the licensing information and look them up on the North Carolina Licensing Board. A current license and active insurance policy provides extra protection for you and your home, so it’s extremely important.
Search Portfolios
Virtually any residential remodeler worth considering will have some kind of gallery or portfolio for you to look at. Our work showcases our favorite projects. Ask for lots of examples, as many as possible for your type of project. As you browse through, see if you like the end result. Designs that appeal to you give you an indication that you’ll be happy with the finished work.
Get Multiple Bids
In order to compare bids, you’ll need to ask for a few. Although cost is an important factor, it isn’t the only one. You should also ask for details about the timing of the project and how the contractor accepts payments. Avoid signing a remodeling contract until you have time to evaluate each one.
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Compare Options
Once you have a couple bids, it’s time to sort through them and make a decision. Consider any notes you took throughout the consultation meetings, and give some weight to how you feel about each individual contractor. In many cases, the lowest bid isn’t automatically the best choice. You should plan to choose the company that feels like the best fit, which may or may not be the most affordable.
What Should I Look For When Hiring a General Contractor?
A general contractor should make a serious effort to earn you as a client, so you should look for the following:
- Responds to your communication in a timely manner
- Listens to your questions and answers them in detail
- Makes proof of license and insurance easily available
- Uses language you can understand
- Puts everything in writing for your review
- Emphasizes company skills and experience, not competitor flaws
If you find a contractor who meets all these requirements, there’s a high likelihood that they will do good work for you.
At Hopedale Builders, we have decades of experience remodeling beautiful homes for our clients. For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.
