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Getting Started
Where to begin
- Start with an idea of what you want to do, and make a prioritized list of your needs, wants, and dreams. Collect photos from magazines, books, and web sites that show things that you like. It’s helpful if you identify what it is that you like about each photo. The more clearly you can describe your project, the more likely you will be able to clearly convey your goals to a remodeling professional.
- Think about how you plan to use the remodeled space. Be sure to consider furniture size and placement, traffic patterns through the home, lighting and electrical needs, etc.
- Calculate your budget, including construction costs, furnishings, and landscaping (if applicable). Talk to lenders and find out how much you can borrow and at what cost.
Get referrals from:
- Local trade associations, such as your local home builders association and local Remodelers Council. For Remodelers in the Greater Ann Arbor area, visit the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor’s website at www.bragannarbor.com and search our membership, or simply download the WRC Directory below.
- Friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, etc., who have remodeled their homes.
- Architects, engineers, trade contractors, building material suppliers, home inspectors, and lenders.
Once you have a list of potential contractors:
- Check with the state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau to see whether any complaints have been filed against the Remodeler. If so, were the complaints resolved?
- Check http://www.cis.state.mi.us/verify.htm to verify that the Remodeler’s license is current, and that there are no complaints against the Remodeler.
What To Look For And What To Ask:
Business Experience and Management
Does the Remodeler:
- Maintain a permanent mailing address, email address, published phone and fax numbers, cell phone, pager, or voice messaging system? you will need to be able to reach the Remodeler quickly and easily throughout the process.
- Carry insurance that protects you from claims arising from property damage or jobsite injuries?
- As for a copy of the Remodeler’s insurance certificates so you can be sure that you will not be liable in these situations for property damage or jobsite-related injuries.
- Ask the Remodeler how much the project will add to the value of your home and obtain the necessary additional insurance.
- Have an established presence in the community?
- How long has the company been in business under this name? Longevity suggests financial security.
- Does the Remodeler maintain solid relationships with experienced independent trade contractors such as plumbers and electricians, and work with them as a team to keep your job running smoothly?
- Possess a trustworthy reputation among customers, peers, local officials, etc.?
- Does the Remodeler have a track record of successful projects similar to the one you are planning?
- Ask for a list of building materials suppliers and call them to see if the Remodeler has an account or pays for materials on delivery. Most suppliers are willing to extend credit to financially sound companies.
- Actively participate in a trade organization such as the Remodelers™ Council of the National Association of Home Builders? This and similar organizations help to keep their members informed about new products, construction techniques, business practices, and industry issues. Participation demonstrates a Remodeler’s commitment to professionalism and the remodeling industry.
- Has the Remodeler earned any professional designations? Through certification programs, these organizations confer designations such as Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), Certified Bath Designer (CBD), or Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) to those who meet the requirements.
- How long has the Remodeler you are considering been a member of these associations?
Construction & Technical Expertise
Does the Remodeler:
- Have a working knowledge of the types and ages of homes in the area? Knowing what is likely to be behind a wall or under a floor helps a Remodeler to provide reliable estimates. An extremely low bid may indicate lack of experience and an inability to see potential problems. An extremely low bid may also be a harbinger of future change orders.
- What products and materials would the Remodeler be likely to use for your project?
- Does the Remodeler offer an array of options and thus demonstrate knowledge and experience with a variety of products, materials, and techniques?
- Specialize in particular types of projects?
- Arrange for the building permit? The person who obtains the permit is the contractor of record, and therefore liable for making sure the work complies with codes.
- Offer a warranty? If so, for how long?
- What is covered under the warranty and what is not?
- Agree to begin and complete your job within a reasonable timetable?
Customer Service and Communication
Does the Remodeler:
- Respond promptly to your inquiries?
- Schedule meetings and attend them on time?
- Emphasize service and developing a trusting relationship with you?
- Listen to and understand your needs and wants, and work with you to ensure that the plans for your job accurately reflect your expectations?
- When discussing your written priorities, does the Remodeler show enthusiasm for your ideas and suggest ways to make them work within your budget?
- Ask the Remodeler for examples of how the company has solved similar space problems for other customers.
- Facilitate communication among all parties involved in the project?
- Will the Remodeler provide you with schedule updates so you can make appropriate decisions and prepare for any unavoidable inconveniences?
- Ask how the company handles communications during the construction phase of the job such as a message center in the house and regularly scheduled site meetings for communication between you and the remodeling team, including the designers, architect, and independent trade contractors.
Interview Previous or Present Customers
Before you sign a contract:
- Ask the Remodeler to give you names, phone numbers and/or email addresses of some customers, and take the time to see the Remodeler’s work.
- Ask to see jobs similar to yours
- Does the quality of the work meet your standards?
- Ask the Remodeler’s customers:
- Would you hire this company again?
- Did the Remodeler maintain a neat jobsite, and clean up regularly? Did the Remodeler haul away debris in a timely manner?
- Did the Remodeler order materials in a timely manner so that your job could be started and completed on time and within budget?
- Did you find the Remodeler easy to work with? Did the Remodeler keep you informed as the job progressed?
- Did the Remodeler supply you with paperwork in a timely fashion?
- How well did the Remodeler deal with the problems that arose?
Make the Decision
- Ask yourself if you feel comfortable with the Remodeler and confident that this company will do the work according to your plans, budget, and specifications.
- If you are satisfied with the answers to these questions, ask for a written estimate of the work to be done based on a set of plans and specifications. Be prepared to pay for this estimate. If the estimated cost of the project is more than you can afford, see if you can trim something from the project or postpone part of it so you can still work with a professional Remodeler.
- Ask the Remodeler to explain the plans and specifications and company procedures to you. For example, once construction begins, how does the company handle changes to the initial design, choice of materials, or schedule? If you compare one estimate with another, be sure each one is based upon the same set of plans, specifications, and scope of work. If your Remodeler suggests any deviations, ask the Remodeler to present them as options separate from the main proposal.
- Find out whether the Remodeler uses a detailed, written contract that protects both of you and that complies with local, state, and federal laws. The contract must spell out the work that will and will not be performed, and provide a fair payment schedule.
- Select the Remodeler with a track record of a variety of excellent projects and plenty of experience with your type of project. Beware of an exceptionally low price.
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