If you are going to be doing a kitchen remodel, you will need to be making a lot of decisions between types of countertops, types of flooring, the kinds of cupboards you want as well as sinks and appliances. It can be overwhelming. Then, of course, there’s all the different kinds of contractors. Sure, hired the general contractor and thought he would handle it all. You didn’t realize there was a specific flooring contractor and counter expert as well as all kinds of other technicians. The only process can be overwhelming. Through it all, you need to be able to trust the contractors that are coming and going from your house. Whether it’s the general foreman or the flooring contractor, there has to be a level of mutual trust or the whole project will just come tumbling down eventually. Here are some tips on what to look for in a good contractor.
Honesty and Integrity
This seems simple enough, right? These are two characteristics that you want to find in anybody from family and friends to business partners. However, this is particularly true when you are partaking in a project that you do not know much about. If you are hiring a contractor and not doing the work yourself, then one can only assume that you are not a construction professional and need assistance in getting the job done properly. A good way that you can tell if you contractor is going to be an upstanding worker, is to get him to give you a quote for your work and a printout of what is going to cost how much provided that you don’t change your mind about the chosen materials. Then, get quotes from several other construction companies and see how they compare. If your contractor is offering unnecessary services and high prices for simple jobs, he may be trying to scam you out of more money than you need to spend. Keep in mind however, that contractors are also salesman so there’s nothing wrong with him trying to up sell you, but if you stand your ground, he should back off. Reach brings up the next point…
Listening Skills and Reactions
As mentioned, contractors will liking try to get you to up your spending. This is normal and acceptable. For example, if you choose vinyl flooring, the flooring contractor may try to convince you to change your choice to tile by explaining all of the benefits of tile and ramifications of vinyl. However, if you tell the flooring contractor no and you stick to your guns regarding your decision, in spite of the benefits of the tile, he needs to then stop trying to convince you and move on. The reactions side of this comes when you give a final answer. If the contractor sighs and shakes his head disapprovingly, you might want to keep an eye on his work to make sure that the vinyl is installed properly. Unfortunately there are dishonest contractors out there that will want their reaction to be proven correct by the material that you choice. So, if the vinyl is installed improperly and begins to come up, the contractor could say ‘I told you so’ even if the problem was the initial installation.
Knowledge and Experience
Having someone be able to help you make decorating decisions is very helpful, especially when it comes to thinks like sinks and cupboards that you can’t change up every time you get bored of them. A good contractor will know the product and be able to give you the pros and cons of each item. He should also be able to advise you on what kinds of things go together and what clashes or seems to have problems, based on previous experience. A contractor that does not know his product is not a contractor that you want to do business in. He needs to care enough to know exactly that he is going to be working with before it even arrives.
Keep these three, or rather, six, things in mind and you should have a great renovating experience. Of course, you must be enjoyable to work with also, otherwise even a good contractor may not stick around for very long!
