Referrals can be very good indication of a CONTRACTORS reliability and final product. Utilizing an approach such as with Buildzoom is a very, powerful tool too! Basically, the more due-diligence—the more satisfied you should be with the competed project!
A single method probably does not exist because of the complex nature of the remodeling industry and the type of services being provided.
Unlike using an online review site to pick the best place to have pizza, there are an extraordinary amount of variables that will need to be considered for selecting the right contractor to complete your project.
I would recommend considering the following 3 items for hiring: Referrals & Reviews, Process, and Communication.
Referrals and Reviews. A word of mouth referral is fantastic, even better if you can see the previous project yourself and get the insider info on how long the project took, what was the company’s service like, how long did it take them to finish the punchlist, and what the warranty service has been like? BUT…a word of mouth referral should not mean that this company is the right one for you. Go online and see if this company also has online reviews that mirror what your referral said about them. This will show you consistency, which is huge!
Also, how do you know the remodeling experience your friend loved so much is the same one that you would like to have? Maybe your friend didn’t mind saving 20% in exchange for a project dragging on for months and months, and running around every weekend to pick out materials for the contractor to have on Monday. Perhaps your friend was a happy to micro-manage the daily work being performed, and your schedule and lifestyle are more in need of a professional project manager. These type of things are hard to weed out without the right questions, so ask wisely!
Process. I can’t strain this point enough. It is imperative to understand how the company will deliver on their promises and the process is the key to this. Everyone involved in the sales and design phase will make amazing promises as you walk through the pre-hiring phase (and even design phase). It’s after the contract is signed and final design decisions are being made, permits are being pulled, and work is underway that the promise-keepers join the fray. Ask your prospective contractor how they and their team will deliver on the great vision they have for your project. Everything from scheduling, to product selection, to design approvals, to a designer’s involvement during construction, to how you will communicate with your project manager are 100% fair game. Don’t wait until after you have signed an agreement to get the answers to these important questions.
Communication. This seems obvious, but slightly bad communication will only get worse as you get deeper and deeper into the construction. Take time to consider how your first and second contacts were with the company – and I’m not referring to the initial in-home consultation. Communication starts way before that. Consider their website, how they spoke with you on the phone, and how they confirmed and provided insightful information. Also, don’t focus on perfection, because it doesn’t exist. Look for a contractor that has system in place for staying in touch with you in and effective manner. And if something happens, pay attention for when a contractor owns it versus avoiding the confrontation or just making an excuse. These are key indicators as to the type of company you are about to let into your home.
Ultimately, every project and client is different so you need to understand your own goals for your construction project and compare the various contractors against those. If a client and contractor can get their goals for a project aligned it will be a successful experience for all.
Happy remodeling!
First and foremost know the building code requirements in your area. If permits will be required for your project you will need to hire a licensed contractor. Google the contractor make sure nothing negative comes up. They should be able to provide you copies of their license and insurance information. Ask for pictures of their previous work. We are all on a budget these days, but the cheapest guy is not always the best! Go with your gut if you get a good feeling about someone that is usually a good sign!