Be Careful When Hiring Your Remodeling Contractor

Tips to follow when looking for the right contractor for your home remodel

Posted on July 05, 2011 by Glen.

Due to a down housing market where it may take a long time to sell your Irvine home or condo, many people are looking to improve their current home rather than buying a new one (please read our previous blog entry about this current trend).  One of the toughest things to accomplish when setting out to remodel your home is one of the first things you need to do - finding a general contractor to handle the multitude of projects that may come about during a home remodel.  A recent article in the New York Times, "Avoiding the Misery of Remodeling by Choosing the Right Contractor," offers some handy tips on finding a good contractor, thus giving yourself the best chance at having a smooth and properly-done remodel. 

First and foremost, the article suggests that you assess the situation to see whether or not you even need a general contractor.  If you are only thinking of minor jobs or only focusing on one or two particular rooms or projects, a general contractor may not be necessary as you can handle oversight of the construction when only a couple of parties are involved.  General contractors are a great thing to have when you're looking at an extensive remodel, as there will probably be quite a few subcontractors involved.  Take the time to research general contractors in your area - search online, talk to friends or family who may have referrals, and interview a couple of options to find the best choice to suit your remodeling needs.  The article also suggests visiting completed projects of prospective contractors to see the quality of work up close and personal; don't just rely on pictures to tell the whole story (as anyone who has ever tried to buy a home can attest - pictures can be very deceiving).  Make sure to look at the bottom line of price quotes from contractors; you may be able to save on materials by purchasing on your own, and try to get hard figures as much as possible (no estimates).  Another good tip is to ask about the number of projects that the contractor currently has...if they have a lot on their plate, you run the risk of your project suffering delays or shortcuts since your contractor is too busy to give your home remodel the priority it deserves.

A home remodel is a great way to change the look and feel of your current lifestyle without moving into a new home.  Remodeling can be very costly, but the costs will be justified if the projects are completed to your satisfaction.  You can take a lot of stress of your shoulders by hiring a good general contractor; just be sure to treat the process like you're hiring a new employee.  You are hiring someone to complete work that will directly affect your everyday life, so ask yourself how important that concept is to you when selecting your general contractor.

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