So, you're in the midst of searching for the perfect
home remodeling contractor
to take on your renovation project.
With so many options, however, you're feeling understandably overwhelmed. As you sift through home
remodel contractor reviews
, they all seem to run together, and you're at a loss of who to choose for your project. As you speak to individual contractors, there are some potential red flags you may want to be on the lookout for that could indicate a particular home improvement contractor isn't the right fit for your project.
Questions to Ask During Your Remodeling Design Meeting
Before you schedule a meeting with your design and remodeling team, you may spend some time evaluating a number of companies. You’ll ask about their experience with projects like yours, as well as verify that they have the proper licensing and insurance to do the work. Once you get to your first big design meeting, you may have lots of ideas to share. It’s also important to ask these questions.
What Is Your Experience With This Project?
When you did an initial screening for perspective remodelers, one of the first things you may have asked concerns the type of experience the team has. Now, you have an opportunity to get more detail on their answers. Try to ask open-ended questions about your team’s background, interests and experiences. This will help you to get a sense for their general styles, and how they might fit with yours. This is a great time to request pictures of past projects, because this may help you clarify your expectations and goals for your project.
Who Will Be Working on the Project?
When you contract with a design and remodeling team, you may be working directly with the lead designer and contractors for the project. In other cases, you may have a contractor who works with an independent designer, with you needing to communicate with each of them separately. It’s important to ask who else may be coming to your home or performing work at various stages. This is a good time to verify who is the lead contact to give you updates and answer your questions.
What Is the Timeline for This Project?
When you consider a possible timeline for home improvements, you should keep two factors in mind. The first is how long the project typically takes your design and remodeling team to complete. You should expect the whole process to take several weeks at a minimum. The second factor is when you can start. This involves a discussion of your obligations, the best time for you to do the project, as well as your team’s current schedule. This is why most professionals suggest planning your project months in advance of when you actually need it completed.
What Do You Need to Know to Complete the Design?
As a homeowner, you’re hiring an experienced team to create your design and carry it out to specification. However, this is still your home and your investment. This means that you may be involved in consulting or making decisions at multiple stages of the design and construction processes. Your team probably has a checklist of items that they will need from you. These range from your stylistic preferences to the way you use the space, as well as your maximum budget for the project. This is a good opportunity to make sure that you have provided all the information they need to begin work on the design.
When Can I See the Design/Plans?
Creating an interior design plan or architectural blueprints for a project takes a significant amount of time. During your initial design meeting, you may or may not get a rough mock-up of what the finished project will look like. This depends on the length of the meeting and how much information has already been provided. When you ask about the timing to finalize the design, keep in mind that this may take at least a week or two. It depends on the complexity of the design, as well as your team’s other commitments. If you give the team plenty of time to consider your needs and build a complete design, you’ll end up with a better result.
What Is the Payment Schedule?
As a general rule, you should avoid working with contractors who demand a significant portion in payment for the project in advance. However, most remodelers will have a set schedule that may include multiple payments over time. Some may ask that you pay a nominal fee for an initial design consultation. This provides them with a basic payment for services while you determine which business is right for you. Otherwise, depending on the size of the project, you may be expected to make a percentage of the total in payment at different stages. For example, you might be asked to pay at the completion of a particular stage of the project, or put a deposit on supplies that need to be ordered.
Is It Reasonable for Me to Live in the Home During Construction?
Home improvement projects take months of planning, and sometimes it isn’t realistic for you to remain in the home while your team is working on it. It depends heavily on the size of your home and the type of project. For example, you might easily be able to use two other bathrooms while you renovate your master suite. On the other hand, a large home addition or a major kitchen remodel might be too much hassle for you to deal with. Ask your team for their preferences and their recommendations for you, so you can make an educated decision and prepare for it in advance.
Your first design meeting can be exciting and a little nerve-wracking. If you ask these questions, you’ll get more information in a way you can manage. Contact us today to discover how delightful remodeling your home can be.
8 Tips for Living In Your Home During a Remodel
You’ve decided to remodel your home, and you couldn’t be more excited. The finished result is a goal you may have been waiting for years to achieve. And yet, before you enjoy it, you have to go through it. For some people, living in the home is an important part of maintaining their health and managing their stress throughout the project. With these eight tips, you will know what to expect and be able to handle it with greater ease.
Stay in the Same Home and Neighborhood by Investing in a Home Addition
Many people buy a home with the intention of moving out in the future to accommodate the family they intend on having or just to upgrade into a nicer home. However, when you want something more than what you are getting from your current home, you do not have to actually buy another home. Investing in a home addition is a great alternative that many times is easier and more cost-effective, which also creates added equity and value for your home.
New Bathroom? Avoid These 5 Bathroom Design Mistakes
Whether you're remodeling your current bathroom or adding on to your home, there are some common mistakes that are made that if avoided in the beginning, can minimize stress in the end. If you're designing, building, or doing a bathroom remodel, don't make these mistakes. It's important to remember that bathrooms are functional and have the users, and how many there are, in mind. Regardless of whether it's a personal or guest bathroom, functionality, accessibility, and design are not to be overlooked.
The Three Approaches to Remodeling Your Home
Thinking about remodeling your home? There are three approaches to consider when it comes to remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, creating more space with a room addition, or other home improvement project. We’ll cover the various options in this blog.
Fallen Out of Love with Your Kitchen? It May Be Time for a Remodel
When you bought your house, you bought it because it included the space you needed in addition to a great kitchen. However, with the growth of your family or the desire to entertain with friends and family, somehow the kitchen just isn't right anymore. Have you taken a look around your kitchen lately to assess its use and the quality of its functionality? If you want to find the love again, consider hiring a design-build kitchen remodel contractor.
How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?
Ask About Scheduling Restraints
Although contractors may not necessarily have a “slow season,” there certainly are times of the year that you can expect the most delays. The busiest times for remodeling professionals are typically in the summer and in the few months before the holidays. If you’re trying to remodel your kitchen during this time, it may take longer. This is because it’s harder to get subcontractors on the schedule and shipping materials may also take more time due to demand.
This is why you’re usually better off to start planning a kitchen remodel about a year in advance. You get the opportunity to choose a time that works best for you, and you receive the benefit of being one of the first people on the schedule.
6 Ideas for Keeping Your Kitchen Remodel Stress Free
The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. This is because we spend so much time in this specific room. Memories are made, families become closer together and they grow and develop all because of things that take place within the kitchen.
Hochuli's 30 Day Stay at Home Challenge
The stay at home order has many of us at a loss for what to do with our spare time. With all this extra time at home, why not challenge yourself to make some home improvements? Now is the time to upkeep and maintain your home. We shared each day's challenges on our social media accounts- but thought, why not share it with everyone!
