7 Questions To Ask Your Home Renovation Contractor
Your home is probably your most valuable asset. It’s where you raise your family, build memories, and relax after a long day.
So when it comes time for a renovation, you want to be sure that you’re making the right choices.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of seven key questions to ask your home renovation contractor before starting any project. By asking these questions, you’ll get a better idea of what the contractor can do for you, what the project will cost, and if the contractor is the right fit.
1) Which Of Their Past Projects Were Similar To Yours?
A contractor should be able to show you some examples of work they’ve done in the past. If they can’t, it may mean that they’re new or inexperienced at home renovations. Appointing an inexperienced contractor can be costly and frustrating when things go wrong.
Ask them about specific projects and what the clients were trying to achieve with their renovations. Most contractors will have a portfolio of pictures from completed jobs, for example, buildwithoakmont.com has pictures online and on a portfolio to offer clients, so ask them if any photos are available for viewing online or on paper at your meeting.
For example: “Have you ever done a bathroom remodel before? Do you know what kind of material is needed to renovate bathrooms?” This would let you know that they were experienced enough at doing these jobs so you could move forward without worrying too much about making rookie mistakes.
2) Can Their Services Cover Your Scope Of Work?
A renovation project can consist of various staggered stages, of which contractors with different expertise might be needed. So you need to determine how many of the project stages a single contractor can handle. The advantage of using a single renovation contractor is that they don’t have to hand over to multiple tradespeople, which takes up valuable time. So in asking about their services, you can explain your concept and determine if their range of services will cover your project.
Additionally, you can ask if they have a team available to do the work. For example, you may find out that your contractor has people with specialised skills, like interior designers or architects. If this is true, it will save you time finding other professionals and would most likely be cheaper than doing so independently!
For example: “If I hire your company for my bathroom remodel, who will be renovating? Will it just be one person?”
3) How Do They Estimate Costs?
Some contractors will give you an estimate based on the project’s scope. Others prefer to charge by time or labour hours, so they might need more details from you about what needs doing before giving out any estimates.
Either way, they need to provide a detailed breakdown that includes all materials and work involved in your renovation project. Having this information upfront won’t be any surprises later down the road when it comes time for payment!
The contractor should also share with us how much he expects each stage of the project will cost as well (i.e., demolition and removal). This gives you some idea of whether your budget can cover these expenses without going over budget too quickly into your renovations.
4) How Do They Handle Down Time?
This is an important question because if there are any issues during construction, you need someone who will take care of them quickly and efficiently. You should also find out how they handle scheduling conflicts, which could delay your project completion date or cost more money than expected in overtime hours worked by their staff members.
Having a clear understanding of what happens when things go wrong will help manage expectations better. It’s always good to know beforehand so that you can be prepared for this contingency!
For example: “What happens if something goes wrong? Will it affect my budget?” This way, we have some idea whether our budget can cover these expenses without going over budget.”
5) How Do They Assess HSE Risk?
A renovation project is messy, and health and safety concerns are always an issue.
You should find out how the contractor will manage any HSE risks that may come up during construction – this includes things like working at heights, working with chemicals, lifting and rigging of loads. Make sure they have insurance policies in place to cover accidents on your property too!
This question helps us determine whether or not there’s risk involved with our chosen contractor. The last thing you need is for an incident on the contractor’s team to halt your renovation.
6) Do They Have Liability Insurance?
You should always be wary of contractors who claim to have liability insurance but cannot produce evidence. To protect yourself from any financial loss due to damage or accidents, you should ask for a copy of their certificate before hiring them on your project. This way, we know there will be no surprises later down the road when it comes time for payment!
For example: “Can I see proof that you’ve been insured against any potential damages?” If they’re not willing to provide this information, then don’t hire them.”
This is one thing that many people forget about until after an incident has occurred. So, make sure that the experts you bring in have contractors insurance and double check that everything’s covered in advance just in case something goes wrong during construction!
7) How Do They Handle A Post Completion Cleanup?
Many contractors are often not good at cleaning after a renovation project. Getting a verbal commitment upfront as to how they will clean up is important, and ideally, they should provide a written contract specifying what will be done. This could include things like the disposal of all waste materials using a dumpster rental, cleaning your property (inside and out), and even returning any rented equipment.
This question helps set our expectations for the post-project cleanup. It’s always good to know what will be done, so there are no surprises down the road like finding spilled cement on your driveway, resulting in you having to arrange for a drive way cleaning service after the project is finalized.
In conclusion, these are some key questions you should ask your home renovation contractor before starting your project. By knowing the answers to these, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on who to hire for your renovation and avoid any potential problems down the road!