What questions should i ask in choosing a contractor?
Question:I am remodeling two bathrooms into one, building a deck and wanting new cabniets installed... what sort of questions should i ask during my estimate meeting with my contractor? i am having a few come over so i can get the best deal. i don't want to sound like a pushover, i want to ask important questions. help please! thanks!
Answers:
I have a detailed article on my web site on just this subject. It's written specifically for the San Francisco Bay Area. But a lot of the advice is universal.
Take a look.
personal references,any complaints with there work,how long will it take, a estimate as close to the final cost with out going over "can i get all of this in writing
Ask to SEE their license, and ask for references. Be semi-knowledgeable about the areas of your home or the products used in remodeling that area. Check their references (ones that are similar projects) and do a better business bureau check.
ask for references names & numbers then call them ask if you can see there work that insures that you are not getting fake refrences
Besides references and license, make sure that if you are considering hiring them, you do the following:
1. Don't give them all the money up front. They can wait for most of the money when they finish the job successfully, by your viewpoint. Make sure you have these terms clear between you, and you are protected in this, so they do not take the money and run halfway through the project.
2. Make sure you have everything they are going to do in writing, you have a copy, and it is specific.
3. Make sure that there is an agreed upon price on the contract, and I think you can ask for a projected time of completion written down, so that they don't jump from project to project and take weeks or months to complete.
4. If permits are required by the city, make sure you know whether they are going to pull the permits and pay for them, or whether they will be asking you to do this. I think you would need to do some investigating on this, too, because I think the contractor is actually supposed to pull the permits in order to oversee that they do the job correctly. If you pull the permits, I think they don't run as much risk if the job is not completed correctly. Ask you city or township about the prefered way to do this, and why.
5. Find out what type of products they install, guarantees, etc. Make sure you have guarantees in writing, because lots of things can fail. Even decks can sink, so have all guarantees IN WRITING with specifics, including length of the guarantee.
6. If there will be plumbing or faucets, find out what the choices are, and if you have to get them from the contractor, or if you can choose them from the local hardware store, or store of your choice.
7. A really good thing to do if you are having a deck done, is to ask to see pictures of prior jobs. That way you know if you like their work and you have an idea of different style decks. Make sure they are going by the city standards on handrailing and rail/sides.
8. Ask what will be underneath the deck: pea gravel, just dirt, etc.
9. Will the deck have anything between the bottom of the deck and the dirt or will it be open?
10. What type of wood will it be constructed of?
These are a lot of projects at one time. You may want to take one at a time so that it is easier on you and you can keep better track of what is going on.
More Related Questions & Answers...