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Looking for a contractor can be a tough job. It's a big step handing over and trusting your home to a complete stranger, but you shouldn't worry. Here's a list of questions all homeowners should ask potential contractors before starting a home renovation project to keep your mind at ease.

What's your business history? Before you hire a contractor, you'll want to dig up on their history. Ask about their license and experience in the business. It's also a good idea to ask for a list of previous clients and their contact numbers who can give you a testimonial as to how efficiently your potential contractor works. Ask about what licenses and certification they have. It's good to note, too, if they are a member of any associations or guilds such as the masters build or the HIA.

What is our schedule? Don't begin any home renovation project without a schedule. This includes more than just a start and an end date. Your schedule should consist of a timeline of all the things to be done: date of the installation of cabinets, appliances, clean up, etc. You'll need this so you can keep track of the progress of your home renovation project and whether or not you're ahead of or falling behind schedule.

Who will be at the site and how will it be supervised? Ask your contractor for a staff list with the names of all staff/workers entering and working on your home. You'll also need to know who is in charge of supervising all the said people so you'll know who will be handling the crew at all times.

How will you communicate with me? There are so many ways to communicate and transfer data these days - everything from cloud-based transfers, emails, or even phone calls. Find out how your contractor will be sending you the plans, vital information, and updates, as well as the best and quickest way to get in touch with them.

What kind of documentation will I receive when the project is done? Contractors often send you plans and blueprints, but there are a lot of other useful things you will need which contractors often overlook. Make sure your contractor turns over the instruction manuals of any appliances installed, how to care for your new countertops and tiles, to name a few. Talk to your contractor about the documents you'll be getting before you begin the home renovation project.

What's your work routine like? Know how each day is going to be like. Ask what time each work day begins and ends, if there are going to be any breaks and how long they are going to be, etc. Ask if they'll be working on multiple aspects of the home renovation project at the same time or if they'll focus on just one at a time.

Can I get that in writing? You'll want to get everything in writing to ensure that both you and your contractor deliver on what had been agreed upon. The most important part in any home renovation project is open communication between the homeowner and contractor. Make sure you build a foundation of trust and good communication to make sure you stay on top of any project you plan on doing.

Make payments as the work progresses. Try to keep the initial deposits as low as possible. You should be aware that subcontractors can place a lien on your property if they are not paid. Make sure that as you pay for each portion of the completed work you get a release of lien signed or at least proof that your contractor is paying the subs in a timely manner. Do not sign any type of completion document or pay the final balances until all work has passed the final code inspections.

So you've decided that you want to renovate your house. Great, there is no better way to create a home that reflects your tastes and style than renovating your own home. Home improvements can raise the value of your home and create a better lifestyle for you and your family. Planning home improvements generally fall into two categories. There are the Do It Yourself home improvement projects where you supply all the work. Then there are the home renovations where you hire a contractor(s) to complete the work for you. We will focus on the second type of home renovation.

The best place to find skilled contractors are referrals from family or friends that have had similar work done to their own homes. You can also use one of the on-line services that will refer pre-screened contractors for your project. Make sure to check with the Better Business Bureau under the company and personal name of the business owner for anyone that you are considering.

Before you even get to the bidding process you need to call and verify that each contractor has workman's comp, property damage and personal liability insurances. They should also be licensed as needed for the work they are doing. Make sure that they understand that if they are requested to bid they will need to present proof of this information and that all work must be to local building codes.

Next step is for you to whittle down your list to the best three or four possibilities. You do this by requesting at least three referral names and phone numbers for completed work that is similar to your project from each potential contractor.

Don't be shy about asking each referral for a chance to see their finished renovation work. Ask questions about the timeliness of the project and whether it was completed on budget. Most people will be happy to share with you and may even have a couple of good ideas to pass along. After this you should be able to choose the best three or four contractors who you then ask for a bid based upon the same exact work and materials. Don't automatically pick the lowest price.

At this point, you should start expecting to feel a certain chemistry with the individual contractors. Remember that the home renovation contractor that you choose will be in and around your home for the duration of your project. You need to feel comfortable with them. Make sure that you understand whether or not each contractor is doing multiple jobs and whether you can expect them or a foreman to be on site during the work.

Once you choose the contractor that you want to use, make sure that you get your agreement in writing. This is the time to ask for a copy of their contractors license and insurance binder that state you are covered for your project.

Make sure that the entire scope of your project is outlined including items like who pays for everything from trash hauling to the porta-pot. The agreement needs to outline who is going to be responsible for demolition, materials and clean-up. Try to think off everything that will be used or needed. It is only fair that a contractor charge extra for extra work so if you forget something it can easily cause your project to go over budget.

When specifying materials avoid the use of the terms comparable or equal. Make sure that you check on-line or at a hardware store so you understand the costs of materials, electrical fixtures and plumbing fixtures and materials. Any changes in the specific materials or brands should require you to sign off on and agreeing to the change.

Make payments as the work progresses. Try to keep the initial deposits as low as possible. You should be aware that subcontractors can place a lien on your property if they are not paid. Make sure that as you pay for each portion of the completed work you get a release of lien signed or at least proof that your contractor is paying the subs in a timely manner. Do not sign any type of completion document or pay the final balances until all work has passed the final code inspections.

Finally, you should also be aware that during renovations of older homes surprises can appear. Things that couldn't be expected until actual demolition started. Make sure that you keep an extra reserve funds for those situations. It will allow you to take them in stride and make sure that your whole renovation project gets completed just the way you envisioned it.

Depending on the project, the renovation contractor may rope off the area of remodeling for safety and health reasons. If there is just one room being remodeled this is usually not necessary but if it is an entire house remodeling project the homeowner and their family will move to another location during the remodeling.

It takes a little time to find the best person to work on renovating a house. The task of renovating a house is much more difficult than it seems. Though it seems quite easy if sketched out on a paper, the execution rarely stays on schedule with unexpected issues like weather and the structural problems and shipment delays. The home improvement projects are extremely stressful. The best way to make things less stressful is by choosing a contractor carefully. The key to success lies in checking out on all the necessary aspects before parting with money. Let us have a look at some of the ways to find the best home renovations contractor now:

Ask for Referrals: Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a qualified professional and tackle the job. Ask friends, relatives and the neighbors who have recently undertaken renovation. Ask about the aspects that helped to make it a positive experience. Also ask about the ways the contractor handled the things and whether they will use the same contractor again.

Check out on Credentials: With several recommendations in hand, undertake research. You can make a phone call or a visit to the contractor's website. Check out whether they have the license and the certification. Remember that certifications are never enough. It is vital to come with adequate experience in the relevant field. Make sure to undertake research to find out whether they have the requisite experience in catering to your specific home renovation need.

Get Bids from a Number of Contractors: Opt for at least three bids but half a dozen of them will give you a clear picture. You will not just get a better perspective on the right costs but you will also get an idea of the caliber of work that each contractor can offer. For example, while one contractor may offer low quality work at a cost-effective price; the high bid of another ensure quality.

Check out on Work History and Habits: While some contractors are specialists, others are generalists. Check out whether their abilities are right for the job. Take time to check out on their work firsthand. Remain on the lookout for things like similarity with your project, workmanship and usage of quality materials and last but not the least, client satisfaction. Track the small indicators indicating professionalism or its absence.

Be aware of the Contract Details: Contracts need to include the start and the completion dates, details on application, building permits and fees, description of the services and products provided by the contractor, payment terms and consequences of default.

Looking for a contractor can be a tough job. It's a big step handing over and trusting your home to a complete stranger, but you shouldn't worry. Here's a list of questions all homeowners should ask potential contractors before starting a home renovation project to keep your mind at ease.

What's your business history? Before you hire a contractor, you'll want to dig up on their history. Ask about their license and experience in the business. It's also a good idea to ask for a list of previous clients and their contact numbers who can give you a testimonial as to how efficiently your potential contractor works. Ask about what licenses and certification they have. It's good to note, too, if they are a member of any associations or guilds such as the masters build or the HIA.

What is our schedule? Don't begin any home renovation project without a schedule. This includes more than just a start and an end date. Your schedule should consist of a timeline of all the things to be done: date of the installation of cabinets, appliances, clean up, etc. You'll need this so you can keep track of the progress of your home renovation project and whether or not you're ahead of or falling behind schedule.

Who will be at the site and how will it be supervised? Ask your contractor for a staff list with the names of all staff/workers entering and working on your home. You'll also need to know who is in charge of supervising all the said people so you'll know who will be handling the crew at all times.

How will you communicate with me? There are so many ways to communicate and transfer data these days - everything from cloud-based transfers, emails, or even phone calls. Find out how your contractor will be sending you the plans, vital information, and updates, as well as the best and quickest way to get in touch with them.

What kind of documentation will I receive when the project is done? Contractors often send you plans and blueprints, but there are a lot of other useful things you will need which contractors often overlook. Make sure your contractor turns over the instruction manuals of any appliances installed, how to care for your new countertops and tiles, to name a few. Talk to your contractor about the documents you'll be getting before you begin the home renovation project.

What's your work routine like? Know how each day is going to be like. Ask what time each work day begins and ends, if there are going to be any breaks and how long they are going to be, etc. Ask if they'll be working on multiple aspects of the home renovation project at the same time or if they'll focus on just one at a time.

Can I get that in writing? You'll want to get everything in writing to ensure that both you and your contractor deliver on what had been agreed upon. The most important part in any home renovation project is open communication between the homeowner and contractor. Make sure you build a foundation of trust and good communication to make sure you stay on top of any project you plan on doing.

When you decide it's time to renovate your home, you should be on the lookout for ways to make your standard of living more sustainable. Many home renovation experts and companies offer a multitude of solutions and products in this regard.

In today's rough economy, some people would probably say that a home improvement is an expensive project that they can do without. But for some, now is the best time for a home make-over.

If you are thinking of renovating your home, you need to consider hiring a contractor. However, you need to remember that not all contractors will give you quality service for a competitive price. If you are not careful enough you might find someone who will charge exorbitant rates for low quality work. Thus, it is crucial that you spend enough time in choosing the right contractor that will remodel your most valuable property, your home.

Here are the things that you should consider when hiring a contractor for your home renovation project.

License. If a contractor is able to show you a license, it suggests that he is professional and reputable. Although, a license may not guarantee that he will do the job efficiently, you can have a background check with the local authorities if there have been any complaints against the services of the license holder.

Experience - You can always give new contractors a chance. However, it may not be a wise move to make. It is most likely that you will benefit from a contractor who has years of experience in doing the type of home renovation that you are planning to have. An experienced contractor can also give you a couple of names and contact numbers of some of his previous clients. This will enable you to have a background check on his professionalism and quality of service.

Referrals - If a contractor has been referred to you by some of your trusted friends or you have read a couple of positive testimonies or reviews about his services, it is likely that you will be satisfied with his services as well.

Insurance - You need to find a contractor who is responsible enough to get his own insurance. Every professional builder must possess a property damage and personal liability insurance. Otherwise, you will be held financially responsible in case accidents or damages occur in the work area.

Written estimate - A detailed written quote will help you save a lot of money in the future. Make sure to ask the contractor to make his written estimate as detailed as possible and it should total to the amount he plans to collect for the job. If the quote is good enough for you, you can create an official contract for your protection.

When you are hiring a contractor whether for a kitchen renovation or a bathroom renovation, you should be really cautious. If the contractor asks for an upfront payment for the entire job or if he is pressuring you to acquire a loan from a specific lender, you should rethink your options.

Check out on Credentials: With several recommendations in hand, undertake research. You can make a phone call or a visit to the contractor's website. Check out whether they have the license and the certification. Remember that certifications are never enough. It is vital to come with adequate experience in the relevant field. Make sure to undertake research to find out whether they have the requisite experience in catering to your specific home renovation need.

Home renovation not only boosts the value of the home, but also improves the home appeal drastically and renders it a much comfortable place to live. In order to carry out the renovation of your property, you will require a renovation contractor. Owing to the large number of renovation contractors available in the market, it becomes quite difficult to opt for the right one.

An efficient renovation contractor is a must for carrying out successful home renovation. As per the renovation experts, it is always good to have a clear plan of action for reaching the right terminus. Hence, it is extremely important to be acquainted with the basic requirements well in advance while opting for the home renovation contractor. For selecting the best renovation contractor for your home, make sure you adhere to the following three crucial steps:

Request testimonials from various authentic sources:

The appropriate approach of figuring out the best renovation contractor for your home is to seek advice by the recommendation of authentic sources such as your relatives, friends, neighbors, etc. Moreover, it is extremely important to adjudge the extent and budget of your project while finalizing the expert for your home. Apart from seeking advice from your relatives and friends, you can seek valuable guidance from various advertising boards and hardware shops. This will help you in taking the final decision. Moreover, some of the insurance firms also offer essential advice pertaining to the home renovation experts. You can also resort to the advice of local contracting institutions as the information furnished by them is authentic and reliable.

Preparation of a potential contractor bid for your home renovation project:

The bidding procedure is one of the best methods of selecting the services of a reliable and efficient renovation expert for your home. During the process of renovating your home, you must bid for at least 3 renovation experts. This will allow them to develop the best plan for your dream home. In order to widen your scope for the selection of renovation expert, you can bid for more than one expert and thereafter choose from the available alternatives as per your preferences.

Confirmation of the contractor information:

In order to assure the reliability of your home renovator, it is always good to verify and talk about the authenticity of the expert. Ranging from their job location to previous clientele, you should inquire about every minute detail. You can also seek for referrals and even call them up for obtaining the right reviews of the project undertaken by the company in the past. In order to verify the legitimacy of the company to a greater extent, you can also verify the permit of the service provider and the date of expiry. You can also cross check the details of the company enlisted in the organization from which the company is affiliated.

A slight mistake while selecting the renovation expert for your home can lead to disastrous results. In order to obtain the best results, it is highly recommended that you follow the above listed tips and avail the reliable services of a home renovation expert.