Home renovation is complicated because it involves many steps split over multiple phases. For this reason, hiring skilled contractors is better than experimenting without anyone’s help. Usually, people find home renovation experts nearby via a quick internet search. That’s not a good idea at all. Before hiring a home renovation contractor, one must consider certain factors, ask specific questions, and weigh the pros and cons of this decision for the best outcome.
Pros and cons of hiring home renovation experts
Knowing the positives and limitations of hiring home renovation companies can help people make the right choices for their homes.
Pro: Quality work
Many make the common mistake of trying out home renovation tasks on their own. Certain home repairs work perfectly on a DIY basis, while others require the skill and expertise of a seasoned professional. Taking on complex projects can lead to mistakes that can be difficult to handle, so it’s always better to seek expert assistance. Professionals possess the tools needed to correctly perform various renovation-related jobs. They also have a knack for finding issues with a given home and remedying them quickly.
Pro: Time and money savings
By hiring home renovation experts, one can get their house remodeled quickly and for a lesser price. If one chooses to take on the project themselves, they would need to buy the required tools and spend a lot of time taking measurements and researching new designs.
Con: Lack of complete control
When homeowners hire a renovation contractor, they may feel that they are not in complete control of their own project, as the experts sometimes do the job the way they want. One may express their approval or disapproval of ideas from the contractors, but in the end, the professionals will select the option that makes logical sense instead of following the owner’s exact wishes. Although this ensures the job is done in the most optimal way imaginable, owners do not get to completely make choices for themselves.
Con: Homeowners do not learn new skills
As homeowners do not significantly contribute to the renovation process, they do not get to learn new things about home remodeling. While this may not be an issue for a vast majority of clients, some may dislike the proposition of losing a valuable learning opportunity.
Questions to ask home renovation contractors
Getting the answers to specific questions helps people choose the right contractors and avoid incompetent ones.
How much experience does the contractor have?
The overall skill level of a contractor is decided by the number of years they have been in the business. Homeowners can expect experienced contractors to offer stronger warranties and a higher overall standard of service. Also, the greater the contractor’s experience, the more diverse their portfolio will be. So, homeowners can ask contractors to show a portfolio of their past projects to assess their experience.
What is the project timeline?
Home renovation is a complex and time-consuming affair. For that reason, it is necessary to decide on a project timeline before hiring a given contractor. A detailed timeline will contain the phase-by-phase schedule of the project and the time and money estimated to be spent on each phase.
How does the company handle delays?
Disruptions are common in any renovation project. The pre-decided schedule can get delayed or disrupted for various reasons, including environmental factors, worker-related issues, and potential accidents. When these delays happen, the contractor must have the protocols in place to manage them. Most importantly, they must communicate the new schedules with the homeowner before moving on with their work.
Who will be the main point of contact?
Although many workers and managers may work on the renovation project, only one or two people will be a point of contact for the homeowner. These individuals will keep the homeowner updated with every detail of the long and meticulous home renovation process. Before hiring the services of a contractor, one should determine who the point of contact will be and the mode of communication they will use for updates.
What are the safety arrangements?
A home renovation may sometimes involve making changes to the home’s plumbing and electrical systems. Since dealing with these systems involves several risks, one should discuss safety arrangements with the contractor before hiring them.
Mistakes to avoid while hiring home renovation contractors
Homeowners usually make a few common mistakes when hiring a home renovation company.
Selecting the lowest bid among multiple renovation contractors
Signing on incomplete paperwork
Failing to speak to the contractor’s former clients
Not screening contractors before hiring them
Failing to make a plan and sticking to it for the renovation process
Ignoring building rules and regulations
Not having detailed specifications of one’s house
Failing to look at long-term benefits
Not comparing all options before selecting a contractor
Deciding without reading online reviews
Avoiding these mistakes can help one find the right home renovation expert who will complete the project without hassle. Although it may take some time, homeowners should spend time researching and not choose a contractor in haste.