If you’re planning a home renovation, you probably have a good idea of what you want to improve. Maybe it’s an addition or a new bathroom that will be airy and light-filled? Or perhaps there’s a spot in your kitchen that needs more storage or countertop space? Whatever the case may be, read on for tips on how to run a smooth and seamless renovation project for your home.
Start by researching your contractor
Before you begin, check the contractor’s website for references. The best contractors will have a page dedicated to testimonials from previous clients, where they can show off their skills and professionalism through customer reviews.
Ask for references from past clients so that you can get an idea of how the contractor handles themselves in person, as well as what kind of work they do.
Ask for references from other contractors as well—the more sources you have, the better! If a contractor has worked with multiple professionals in your area, they’re likely to be trustworthy and dependable.
If there is any red tape involved (such as licensing or insurance), make sure that these are up-to-date before hiring someone new.
Find a good fit
Finding a good fit for property renovations is essential to keeping things running smoothly. You want to find a company that is a good fit for you, not only in terms of the work they do but also their reputation and experience. The best way to guarantee that the company you choose has those qualities is by doing some research before hiring them.
Once you have narrowed down your list, ask around about each prospective contractor; talk to other homeowners who have worked with them and see what their experiences were like. If possible, meet with at least one other homeowner who used the same contractor as yourself so that you can get an idea of how they operate on-site and how they handle customers’ needs throughout the project.
Make sure any potential contractors are licensed and insured—this makes it easier if something goes wrong during construction (and it’s rarer than most people realize). Make sure they offer references from past clients; check out those references too.
Check their references
After you’ve narrowed down your list of contractors, it’s time to check their references. A contractor that doesn’t have a strong track record or many clients isn’t likely to be able to complete large-scale renovations.
The best way to find out whether or not a potential contractor is worth hiring is by calling previous clients and asking them about their experience with the company. Ask if they were satisfied with the work performed by the contractor, how long it took for the project to be completed and what sort of timeline they were given at the outset. If these details don’t match up with what you’re hearing from other people in your neighbourhood whose homes have been renovated recently (or who are currently in escrow), then it’s probably better off finding someone else instead.
Get bids and learn the costs
As you begin to look into the costs of renovating your home, it’s important to get as much information as possible. Get multiple bids from contractors and make sure that each bid includes a written quote. When asking for bids, ask for a breakdown of costs by line item (for example, materials, labour, etc.). You can also ask for references from previous clients who have worked with them on similar projects. It’s also very helpful if they provide photos of past jobs so you can see their work firsthand.
Examine the written proposal.
The moment you find the contractor you want to hire is the best time to make sure you’re on the same page. You’ll be working with them for months, so it’s important that they understand what you’re looking for and can execute your vision. If at any point during the process, whether during a phone call or in person, things don’t feel right or seem unclear, voice your concerns and ask questions until everything is clear.
It may sound clichéd but no matter how great a proposal looks on paper (or screen), don’t sign anything unless it feels right. If something doesn’t sit well with you or there’s something missing from what they’ve presented then ask if they can add it before proceeding further into the project. It’s always better to have more rather than less information when making such an expensive commitment.
Prepare to change plans
This is where you have to be flexible and open to changing plans. It’s best if you set a budget for yourself, so that way you’re not caught off-guard by unexpected expenses. The general rule of thumb for home renovations is to expect your costs to be 25% higher than your initial bid. This may seem like a lot at first, but it’s important that you come in with this mindset from the outset—it will make the process much smoother.
As an example, let’s say that your contractor bids $30k for new windows throughout your house and admits up front he’s offering a “cheap” price because he knows there are some issues with the framing around one of them (the old window was too big). If he told me this at our first meeting, I would’ve been able to add another $5k onto my budget right away knowing what kind of fixes might need doing after installation.
Watch for warning signs
After you’ve vetted the right contractor, it’s time to move forward with the renovation. While there are many ways you can go about this process, they all have one thing in common: they will require some planning and organization.
Moreover, be sure to keep a few things in mind as you plan your renovation. First, you need to know your budget before hiring any contractors. Doing so will give them the best idea of how long it’ll take them to complete their work and what materials will be needed for each part of the job. They’ll also be able to tell you whether or not their bid falls within your budget. If it doesn’t, they may be able to recommend ways that could either reduce costs or improve quality while still sticking within your budget—or they might need more time than originally planned on certain parts of an assignment because those tasks require more time than anticipated (this could also mean increased costs).
Finally, make sure there’s clear communication between everyone involved before starting any project; this includes both parties asking questions related directly back at each other during meetings/discussions held throughout construction processes along with providing accurate information such as timelines beforehand so things don’t get off track early on due simply because someone forgot something important.
Expect to pay more than the bid.
The contractor’s bid is a starting point for the project. However, you should expect to pay more than the bid. The cost of materials and labour will likely increase as unforeseen circumstances arise during your renovation project. It’s important to understand that any changes made during your home renovation will also affect its total cost, so be prepared to pay for those as well.
Understand what’s not covered.
When you’re planning a home renovation, there are a lot of things to consider. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know what you need and how much it will cost. It is important to know what your insurance policy covers and what is not covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s policy.
It’s also important that you understand what’s included in the contract before signing on the dotted line (or clicking “I agree”). Before going forward with any construction project, make sure that all costs have been accounted for—both those included in the contract as well as those not included. This will help prevent any unforeseen surprises down the road if anything goes wrong during construction or after the completion of your project
Conclusion
The key to a successful home renovation is finding the right contractor for your project. Researching contractors, analyzing bids and proposals, and choosing carefully are all important parts of the process. You can save yourself time and money by conducting thorough research before you begin meeting with potential contractors. It’s also important to make sure that you understand what kind of work will be done on your home so there aren’t any surprises along the way.
