Everyone and their mom online are pushing you to go for a bathroom remodel. It seems today, more than ever, everyone has an opinion about home improvement tips, from kitchen remodeling to bedroom remodeling, and now, bathroom renovation. Remodeling your bathroom has several personal benefits. Even better, it also has a high ROI (Return on Investment) if you decide to sell your house down the road.
When you finally decide to proceed with the remodel, the same people will also tell you to get a good contractor for the job. And this is where most people run into trouble. Remember, a contractor can be the difference between competency and shallow work. When choosing a contractor for your remodel, keep these tips in mind.
1. Check the Credentials
Do your research. If a friend or family member offers some recommendations, ensure you assess the contractor’s background. You want to check if they have the appropriate licenses and are authorized to operate in your state. With the internet, this is easy as you only need to check the contractors’ website, and if they take their job seriously, it’s apparent that they need to post the licenses on their platform for reputation standards. Don’t forget to check whether the contractor has certifications from an association such as the Housing Industry Association (HIA). Even though not all certificates hold equal weight, they still ensure the contractor is qualified for the job.
2. Get Recommendations
This is the easiest way to choose your bathroom remodeling contractor. Before you settle on your preferred candidate, it’s wise to ask around. Ask work colleagues, friends, or family members who have had previous projects in the past.
Ask them to rate the overall experience with the contractors: Did the contractor do a good job? Were they professional and respectful of your home? Did they clean up the mess after completing the assignment? Would they use the same contractor for a second project? Once you have the answers to these questions, it becomes easy to narrow down your choices for the best person for the job.
3. Get Several Quotes
Never settle for one contractor after asking for quotations. Try and enlist at least three to four companies for the job. Next, interview them and seek clarifications for your type of project. As a general rule, ask as many questions as you can. Remember, interviews help you weigh the contractor’s competency and expertise when you meet them in person. But that’s not all you need to do.
Next, check whether the contractor offers free consultations and pricing estimates. Estimates help you evaluate your budget and choose a contractor who matches precisely that. You must be wondering, does this mean you should work with the cheapest contractor on your list? No. Try and assess their professionalism to make a well-thought-out decision.
4. Experience Matters
This is a no-brainer. In this day and age, experience even counts over qualifications – your bathroom remodels’ no exception to this. To get the best contractor for the job, check the duration they’ve been operational. A contractor will only survive in the industry for long if they offer valuable services. No customer wants to recommend a contractor who gave them sleepless nights.
But if a contractor has been operational for a long duration, it shows they offer value to their clients. In addition to experience, check their work portfolio to understand more about their experience.
5. Check Their Turnaround Time
Your bathroom is an essential part of your life, and bathroom contractors understand this too well. Can you imagine going for a day in your life without a bath? It doesn’t sound like an excellent idea. If a bathroom is out of service even for a few days, this can affect your life.
So what’s the solution? It’s simple: go for a contractor who can deliver your project ahead or according to schedule. This might be a tricky area as you will only know this during the project.
The trick here is to check for online reviews before employing your contractor. What are other people saying about the contractor? Were they satisfied with the services? Did the contractor complete the project according to schedule? Did they stick to the budget? If online reviews don’t satisfy you, ask the contractor to provide you with direct client testimonials. This way, you can be sure they’ll live to what they say.
Choosing a bathroom contractor doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Once you interview different contractors and get estimates, making your decision becomes easy. Do your homework, and you will find the best contractor for your remodel. If they live up to your expectations, you can even work with them on your next home improvement projects. Over to you!
