Key Questions For Remodeling Contractors References
If you are planning a major remodeling or home renovation project you will hear this advice over and over again; it is essential that you check a contractor's references before you sign anything.
Great advice, but for many homeowners when they are standing, phone in hand, ready to do just that by calling a few of the references the contractor has provided them with they have no idea what to say.
Here then are some of the questions you should be asking to get the information you need to make an informed decision.
Did the workers stick to the agreed time schedule? Having contractors show up late every day is annoying and inconvenient.
Perhaps even more so though is having a half dozen workers show up on your doorstep at 6.
30 a.
m.
because the boss said they could "get an early start".
Was the work completed on time? Some projects turn out wonderfully well they just take more time to complete than might have been anticipated.
If the reference answers no to this question politely ask them to elaborate, it may not have been the contractor's fault.
Were there many unexpected expenses? Almost every large remodeling project ends up accruing one or two additional costs that were not a part of the original contract.
It becomes a problem though if the extra bills kept piling up, a sign of an unorganized (or even dishonest) contractor.
Why did you agree to recommend this contractor? Agreeing to have your name on a list of references is one thing but it is more helpful to the prospective client if they understand why.
Getting a discount or other incentive is not a good enough reason.
Would you hire this contractor again? This is a big one.
The reference may have liked the work done enough to agree to have their name given out as a reference, but the mark of true satisfaction is if they would be willing to do it all over again.
Great advice, but for many homeowners when they are standing, phone in hand, ready to do just that by calling a few of the references the contractor has provided them with they have no idea what to say.
Here then are some of the questions you should be asking to get the information you need to make an informed decision.
Did the workers stick to the agreed time schedule? Having contractors show up late every day is annoying and inconvenient.
Perhaps even more so though is having a half dozen workers show up on your doorstep at 6.
30 a.
m.
because the boss said they could "get an early start".
Was the work completed on time? Some projects turn out wonderfully well they just take more time to complete than might have been anticipated.
If the reference answers no to this question politely ask them to elaborate, it may not have been the contractor's fault.
Were there many unexpected expenses? Almost every large remodeling project ends up accruing one or two additional costs that were not a part of the original contract.
It becomes a problem though if the extra bills kept piling up, a sign of an unorganized (or even dishonest) contractor.
Why did you agree to recommend this contractor? Agreeing to have your name on a list of references is one thing but it is more helpful to the prospective client if they understand why.
Getting a discount or other incentive is not a good enough reason.
Would you hire this contractor again? This is a big one.
The reference may have liked the work done enough to agree to have their name given out as a reference, but the mark of true satisfaction is if they would be willing to do it all over again.