When it comes to a home renovation, the last thing you need is an inferior contractor. Whether you are a real estate investor on a project, or a homeowner that is looking to update your house to the place of your dreams, having a home renovation team you can trust is key to a successful execution. What it comes down to is that you’re paying for this renovation. No one likes to pay for something that is not up to their expectations, especially a home renovation.
So where in the world do you start? Finding a contractor is not the problem; there are plenty around. But not all contractors do the same work. Not to say that there are bad contractors out there, it’s just that they are all different and do different work. Hiring a team of contractors is similar to hiring a team at work. There are tons of candidates out there, so it’s a matter of finding the right team to work with. Here are the steps you need to take to build a home renovation team you can trust.
Begin with A Plan
Trying to look for a contractor without a plan is kind of like looking for someone to hire without knowing exactly what the job is. You need to create a plan to the best of your ability. Gather pictures, floorplans, and any other images that might describe the work you are looking for.
Larger home renovations should involve a professional such as an architect or an interior designer who creates this plan. This way, you can hand it off to the contractors, and they can take a more in-depth look at it. For smaller projects, it’s not required to have a plan beforehand, but it will definitely help. Contractors do have the experience to help provide you with some inspiration, but they will be interested in knowing what you like and what you don’t.
Create A List of Candidates
It is very likely some of your friends and family have had home renovations done. Start by asking them who they used for their remodel and what their experience was like. You can also ask any friends that are in the real estate industry, as they usually know a lot of good contractors. If you still don’t have a list of contractors to call, you can always turn to the internet and do an online search.
Before calling any one off that list though, it’s important to do your own research. Have you ever gone to a restaurant that your friends recommended just to find out it was terrible? Everyone has different opinions, and you don’t want to rely on a single person’s recommendation. The online reviews will give you a pretty good idea of what the contracting team is like and what you can expect.
Call Your Candidates
After narrowing down your list, it’s time to give your candidates a call. You should describe your project, what your goals are and ask about their business and the type of experience they have. You’ll want to ensure they are licensed and insured, but you will also want to ask for some references and request work samples if possible. Most contractors can send over images of final projects.
Set Up in Person Interviews
Once you talk with your candidates and look into their work and experience, you will have a good idea of who you want to work with, but you should never hire without meeting the team. During this meeting, the team can see the property and determine whether or not it’s a good fit. You will also want to determine if the team is easy to work with face-to-face as you will be collaborating with them a good bit.
Ask About Privacy
No one likes someone that barges into their home unannounced. You will want to make it clear that privacy is important to you and that you would appreciate a schedule of when they will be working. Should they go outside of the regular schedule, make it clear that you would appreciate if they always give you a call. The team will also be in private parts of your home and you should be comfortable knowing they are respectful of your space.
How Do They Treat Their Subcontractors?
Your contractor should be a good leader. If a problem arises, they should be proactive and find a solution. A contractor that points fingers is never fun to work with.
Hire Your Team
At this point, you’re ready to hire your team! You should agree on prices, work well together and most importantly be able to trust each other.
Do Your Part On the Team
Even though you’ve hired a contracting team to do the work for you, you don’t want to completely go off the grid. Your contractors should always be able to reach you even if you are away from your home or if you’re at work. This is in the event of an emergency or issue during the project. It’s very unlikely you will be needed, but better safe then sorry.
Additionally, it’s important to remember not to micromanage your team. This can slow them down and affect how they work. You hired this team to work for you, and you should trust they will deliver the best results.
At Legacy Renovations, we establish relationships and partner with clients who want to enhance their everyday lifestyle. Legacy Renovations wants to help you create a home that fulfills your needs no matter what they may be.Your home is a place where you spend precious time creating memories to last a lifetime, and we understand how irreplaceable these moments are. If you’re looking to hire a home renovation team that you can trust, we invite you to contact Legacy Renovations
