How to Choose a Contractor

The following article originally appeared in the Spring/Summer 2006 issue of Remodeling Today Magazine. It has been reprinted with the permission of Remodeling Today Magazine & NARI of Minnesota.

Choosing Your Remodeling Partner

Selecting the right contractor for your next remodeling project is crucial to its success. For many homeowners, this process is a daunting task. Where do you look and what qualifications should you be looking for?

Finding the right remodeler is crucial, says Marty Schirber, CR, of Castle Building & Remodeling, Inc., and author of "Choosing a Contractor - 25 Factors".

"There's much for homeowners to consider and they need to be proactive and do their homework if they want to enjoy the remodeling process and the end result."

Schirber, Norm Siekman of Bremen Builders, and Jim Koontz of Awad & Koontz Architect Builders, Inc., all members of the National Association for the Remodeling Industry (NARI), offer homeowners these guidelines to make the selection process easier and to help them make a more informed decision.

Prerequisites

Look for a contractor with a track record of success in your community. A successful business is one that is established in your area and has survived and thrived over a period of time.

"Check to be sure the contractor you hire is properly licensed," advises Schirber. "A contractor in Minnesota who has a license is required to be bonded and insured." The Minnesota Department of Commerce can tell you if a contractor is licensed, if the firm has had any complaints filed against it, etc.

Homeowners can also contact their Better Business Bureau to see if there are any unresolved complaints against a contractor.

Professional Trade Organizations

A professional trade organization like NARI is a great place to find qualified contractors. These trade organizations help to keep their members informed about the latest products, construction techniques, business practices and industry issues.

"Contractors who are active members of NARI, who uses the meetings, seminars and certification programs to improve themselves and their businesses, are people committed to their profession," says Jim Koontz. "And they're people you can count on to do a good job."

Referrals

Referrals are among the best leads for homeowners to use to find qualified remodeling contractors. They can come from relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers, lenders, architects/designers, suppliers and subcontractors.

"The important thing is to get a recommendation from someone you know and trust," says Norm Siekman. "It should be someone who has used the contractor before and is happy with his work."

"It's also important to find a contractor with experience doing the type of work you want to have done," he emphasizes. If you want to redo your kitchen, you want to be referred to someone with expertise in that area of remodeling.

"Every contractor has a reputation," stresses Schirber. "If someone you trust tries to steer you away from a contractor or is vague about the details of their experience, stay clear of that contractor."

Here's a list of questions to help you establish a contractor's qualifications and to help you find the right person for your remodeling job.

• How long have you been in business?
• Who will be assigned as a project supervisor for the job?
• What is the time frame for starting my project?
• How do you handle this type of job?
• Do you have employees or do you use subcontractors?
• Is your company a full-service or specialty contractor?
• Do you have design services available?
• Does your company carry workers compensation and liability insurance?
• Do any of your employees hold trade certifications?
• How many projects like mine have you completed in the past year?
• May I have a list of references for projects you've completed which are similar to mine?
• Will we need a permit for this project?

A qualified professional will have no problem answering your questions. If you get vague or incomplete answers, or the contractor is hard to communicate with, avoid hiring that contractor.

Surfing The Net

The Internet has opened up a whole new way for customers to shop for goods and services, and the remodeling industry is no exception. Many homeowners use the Web to locate remodeling contractors and to review their work from the comfort of their living rooms. And more and more contractors view a well-designed Website as a critical tool for showcasing their work.

"A good Website gives the homeowner a good idea of the contractor's capabilities," says Siekman. "It will often include a firm's mission statement or philosophy of doing business."

Check References

"Don't just ask for references, follow up on them," Koontz stresses. "Homeowners who have had a good remodeling experience usually have no problem sharing their experiences."

"One of the most widely used and trusted practices in checking out a contractor is talking to his or her past customers," echoes Schirber. "These are people who have first-hand experience with the contractor you are considering."

Here's a list of questions to ask previous customers:

• Could you communicate well with your contractor?
• Were you pleased with the quality of work?
• Were you satisfied with the way your contractor conducted business?
• Did the work crew show up on time?
• Was your project completed on time?
• Was it completed within budget?
• Did the contractor stay in touch with your throughout the project?
• Was the jobsite kept neat?
• Did the work crew respect being in and around your home and family?
• How was the contractor on follow-up?
• Did you have any problems with callbacks?
• Where your questions and/or complaints handled promptly?
• Would you use the contractor again without hesitation?

Review Completed Projects

While you can review a contractor's portfolio of work on the Web, make sure you see at least one completed job. It's the only way to judge the quality of a contractor's work. Reputable contractors are proud of their work and will be glad to show it to you.

Selecting A Strategic Partner Versus Competitive Bidding

It is perfectly fine to select a contractor without taking bids. If you have done your due diligence, called the referrals, looked at finished work, and you have concluded a particular remodeler is right for your job, don't hesitate to hire that firm.

"Getting too many bids opens the job for shortcuts," Siekman says. "Bidders may not be bidding on the same thing, they may not be using the same quality of materials, or they may be quoting a price they think you want to hear," he says.

"The best contractor will listen to you and be respectful of your budget," Schirber says. "He or she will outline all of the costs associated with the project, share design options with you, and help you understand how your decisions will affect the project's cost."

Price is one of many categories a homeowner should consider when selecting a contractor. Experience, capability and quality are equally important.

Communication Is Key

Good communication is critical to having a successful remodeling project. You must be able to talk to your contractor openly and honestly.

That's why it is important to hire a contractor with whom you are comfortable; with whom you have an established rapport. A remodel takes a significant amount of time and you'll be around your contractor nearly every day for weeks or months.

"Your goal is to hire someone you trust," Siekman says. "You want to work with someone who gives you a sense of integrity and quality."

Working With The Contractor You Select

Although selecting a remodeler is the most important role in your remodeling project, it is not your only job. Your contractor will need your input in several areas to complete your project successfully.

"Proper planning is very important," says Koontz. "Be sure to define what you hope to accomplish with your remodel. Consider how you live and what your needs are," he says. "And don't forget to consider future requirements in your plans."

Pay attention to the details of your project, like lighting fixtures, storage needs, window types, etc. Although they may seem minor at first, they will impact the design, function and budget of your finished project.

Once you've established a budget for your project, work with your contractor to get the most for your remodeling dollar. By knowing how much you are willing to invest in the project, he or she can help you stay within that budget.

Finally, a well-written contract is essential. It should include a comprehensive description of the project, a payment schedule, a time table, and the types of products that will be used. The responsibilities of the contractor and any subcontractors should also be included.

Once the ink is dry, you're ready to begin. You and your remodeling professional are ready to begin turning your remodeling dreams into reality.

Sources for this article:

Bremen Builders, Inc.
207 Carver Creek Place
Carver, MN 55315
Contact: Norm Siekman
Ph. 952-448-9380
www.bremenbuilders.com

Castle Building & Remodeling, Inc.
3001 Central Avenue NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
Contact: Marty Schirber, CR
Ph. 612-789-8509
www.castlebri.com

Awad & Koontz Architects Builders, Inc.
6603 Queen Ave. So., Suite R
Minneapolis, MN 55423
Contact: Jim Koontz
Ph. 612-243-0540
www.awadandkoontz.com