Choosing The Right Remodeler

With a bulging folder of remodeling ideas, a dollar figure in mind and a dream of adding new space or updating existing space in your home….Congratulations! You’re on your way to a remodeling project!

Remodeler Mary Mason of Homeworks Inc. says, “It’s helpful for the homeowners to consider the overall goal of the remodel…and to consider how their home will function for them ten years down the road. Also, they should evaluate how existing space is being used before they decide to add new space to their home.”

“Consider what services you would like your remodeler to provide,” says Devan Kaufman of Kaufman Construction. “You do not want to hire a contractor for less money and discover midway through your project that many services that you expected are not being provided.”

“Don’t choose your remodeler based only on price and before and after pictures,” recommends Scott Cierzan of First Call Construction, “consider the quality of the work, the reputation and the financial reliability of the company, too. You should feel comfortable with the working relationship, because most projects are long term.”

A professional remodeler can save you money by doing the job right the first time, offering design services, providing the best possible materials within your budget, ensuring your job meets building codes and guaranteeing their work with a warranty.

To find the right remodeler, local professionals suggest you ask the following questions:

What services do you provide?
Are design services included? Are they in-house or out-sourced?
Do you offer assistance in product selection?
Do you carry insurance that protects me from property damage or jobsite injuries?
How long have you been in business? Longevity suggests financial stability.
How many projects are you currently working on and do you have references I can contact?
Do you actively participate in a trade organization such as the Remodelors Council of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Des Moines, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry or the Better Business Bureau?
What is your invoicing and lien policy? What are the expected payment terms?
What type of contract do you provide?
How long should I expect the design and bidding process to take?
What are your company’s policies and procedures when it comes to screening employees, change orders and warranty?
What are the lines of communication things such as design, pricing, production and warranty?
What are your cleaning policies?
Do you offer a construction schedule and will you be on the job every day? How are trade contractors held accountable?

Questions to ask the homeowners include:

Would you hire this company again?
How well did the remodeler deal with problems that arose?
Were you comfortable with the employees and subcontractors that were in your home?
Did the remodeler maintain a neat job site and keep you informed as the job progressed?

“Communication is critical to establishing a good relationship and will be especially important as you navigate through the remodeling process,” adds Stacie Phillips of Silent Rivers Design Build. “Ask yourself, ‘is this person easy to talk to?’ ‘do I feel comfortable asking them questions?’ ‘how well do they listen?’, and ‘do they take the time to explain and inform me?’.” Stacie says you may be surprised at how many of these questions you can answer after a short phone call or initial meeting.

When it comes to choosing well-trained, experienced professionals, start with members of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Des Moines Remodelors Council. On the web, go to www.desmoineshomebuilders.com and click on Remodelors Council.