Before you start a new home renovation project, finding qualified and trustworthy home contractors is the most essential step homeowners must take to ensure their update goes smoothly. Apart from the standard questions about rates and years of experience, there are some nuances many people may miss due to lack of experience. To make sure you end up working with the right team, here are questions you can ask to qualify home renovation contractors.
What are the home contractor’s experience and company history?
Experience matters a lot, but when it comes to home contracting it’s not just the total number of years you need to check. Check their training and relevant education, as well as the company size to see if they have a bigger team that could handle all the requirements of your project. Some companies can work with their staff, while others rely on third parties to get the job done.
Has the home contractor completed a similar renovation?
Hands-on experience is a great attribute for a contractor, as it means they will now know how to navigate the specifics of your specific project. However, it’s important to ask them directly about it.
Some contractors might not have as much experience in some parts of your home. For example, make sure you ask about the contractor’s experience with bathroom renovations or kitchen renovations if those are the areas of your home you’re having renovated.
Are you a member of any associations or have any certifications?
We pride ourselves on forming relationships with the top associations and ensuring our team and company have up-to-date certifications. However, not all home renovation contractors feel the same way about this. To become a member of the top renovation industry associations or to receive certifications, you need to invest in your team or business. It shows that the company you’ll potentially work with values accountability generated from these independent third-party organizations.
Can we talk to past renovation customers?
Speaking to previous renovation customers can allow you to get a better sense of how the home contractor does their job. You can talk with the clients at length about how their project was completed, how satisfied they were, what areas were problematic, etc.
If you can’t talk to past renovation customers, there are still ways to see how your contractor’s past customers have been treated. Scour online for reviews on Facebook, Google Business Listings, Houzz, or other industry-related website or check the contractor’s website for testimonials.
How long will my home renovation project take?
The home renovation project timeline varies greatly depending on the renovation type and other external or internal circumstances, but the contractor should still give you a rough idea of the timeframe in which the job can get done. As a homeowner, you should also ask about any issues that could delay the completion of the job, such as other projects the contractor is working on presently, or staff issues.
Finally, ask how the delays will be addressed, and what measures they generally take whenever a delay occurs to ensure the project can continue to move forward in a timely fashion.
What is the payment schedule?
Typically, you don’t pay the full price upfront for contracting services, and if a home contractor asks for full payment, ask why. If they can’t deliver a response that makes logical sense, it’s better to move on and keep looking.
The important aspect of this question is to make sure you understand the payment schedule they ask for, so you know exactly how much you must pay, and when. You don’t want any surprises when it comes to the payment!
Is there a warranty for your home contracting work?
When searching for a home contractor, if they don’t offer any sort of warranty for their work, treat this as another red flag. As a leading home renovation company in Winnipeg, we’ve come into many situations where the homeowner had work completed on their home, but within a short period, the workmanship failed. And even worse, the contractor they hired either refuses to help them or wants to charge them for something that should be covered by a warranty.
In these situations, we sympathize with the homeowner, but we can’t do much at that point other than to offer our home renovation contracting services to help fix the problem. The good news here is if you listen to our advice, or just hire us for your home renovation, you’ll receive peace of mind. We proudly offer a comprehensive warranty on all our work for two years. However, everything we do is focused on providing the best craftsmanship we can, so our work lasts much, much longer.
And, finally, it’s important to receive your warranty information in writing, which brings us to our next point.
Will I receive a written contract for my renovation project?
If the contractor says they work without a written contract, the interview should stop there. Without it, you have no protection the contractor will follow through on their promises. A contract with a home renovation company not only protects you but it protects them too. Proceeding without a contract is essentially the contractor showing you they don’t care about their business.
Additionally, a contract for your home renovation typically should lay out every single detail of the job. We highly recommend for you review your contract in detail several times before you sign it. As well, take it a step further and discuss it with the home contractor. Do not sign the document, which is legally binding, unless your questions have been responded to and are included in the document.
When can we start my home renovation project?
If you’re looking for Winnipeg home contractors you can trust to take care of your home throughout the renovation process, All Canadian Renovations Ltd. is happy to assist you! Reach out and contact us online or call us at 204-779-6900 for a home renovation estimate now!