They say change is good, but it can also be intimidating. If you don’t plan for success, you are planning for failure. A home remodel can quickly go off the rails in terms of time and budget, making you wonder just what you were thinking when you decided to install a new roof or replace your worn siding.
The biggest mistake a homeowner can make when they decide to remodel their home or install a new roof is cutting corners on their contractor. As with most things in life, you truly do get what you pay for when it comes to home renovation professionals.
At the end of the day, everyone wants to drive up to their dream home. By working with a reliable, experienced company, you can ensure your home renovation project stays firmly out of nightmare territory.
Here are 20 tips for finding a contractor for your home remodel in the Anchorage Area (you can apply these to anywhere, really).
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Clearly define your home remodeling project
Before you begin reaching out to contractors, have a clear idea of how exactly you want to remodel your home. This may sound obvious, but many homeowners end up hiring contractors and agreeing on a design, only to then request changes or additional adjustments after the construction work has already started.
This often results in the project going over budget, failing to meet the agreed-upon deadlines, or even stopping dead in its tracks. Always plan everything in advance so that you don’t have to make any changes halfway through the project.
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Ask homeowners in your neighborhood
It’s always a good idea to ask others for references. You may naturally turn to friends and family members, but why not ask a few neighbors, too? Did the family down the street just replace their home’s windows?
If the end result looks great, ask them who did the work and if they’re happy with the final product. Take a drive around your neighborhood and look for homes that have undergone recent upgrades. Most homeowners are happy to share their opinion of contractors, especially if they’re pleased with the project.
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Look at online reviews
Online has revolutionized the way consumers shop for products and services, with people researching before they buy. Look online to get an idea of what other people have to say about a contractor.
You’ll be able to see a wide range of opinions from homeowners willing to speak up about the quality of the labor, materials and overall workmanship.
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Don’t set a minimum (or maximum) number of estimates
When you’re looking for a contractor for any type of home improvement project, one of the first things you’ll hear is “get three estimates.” The problem with limiting yourself to three is that you really can’t be sure you’re getting a good representation of the options available.
The better choice is to get as many estimates as it takes for you to feel like you’re making a comfortable, informed decision about a contractor. If that happens to be the first one you meet with, great! If not, continue on until you find a highly qualified contractor that feels like the perfect match for your project.
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Busy can be a good sign
A reputable, experienced contractor is likely to be in high demand, which means you might have to wait a few weeks or even a couple months to get on their schedule. When you consider that you’re making a significant investment in your home, however, isn’t it worth waiting for a contractor you trust to do an exceptional job? We would love to discuss your project, contact us today.
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Trust your instincts
There is something to be said for “going with your gut.” You and your contractor — and the construction crew — are going to interact at various points, from the contract drafting and negotiation process to the completion of the work on your home.
Make sure you have a good rapport with the contractor. If you get a bad feeling from the start, it could be an indication that the project isn’t going to produce a good result.
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Go with a pro
The do-it-yourself industry has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it has inspired everyday people to try their hands at complicated projects that are best left to the professionals. The problem for the average homeowner is that it’s not always easy to distinguish between true pros and individuals who perform weekend jobs on the side.
Ask questions and don’t be afraid to demand proof of the contractor’s experience and credentials. An experienced contractor will expect this and will be happy to provide the information you need to feel confident about putting your home in their hands.
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Ask how long the contractor has been in business
You don’t have to look hard to find horror stories from homeowners who have been dissatisfied with a contractor’s work, only to end up unsuccessfully chasing the contractor through the court system in an effort to recoup money for an incomplete or unsatisfactory job. Read about Be Happy Property Services here.
Unfortunately, it’s relatively easy for a small company to close shop when a lawsuit threatens, only to open up under a new name a few months down the road. The risk of this happening to you decreases significantly when you work with a contractor that has been in business for several years or even decades.
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Review past jobs
Take a look at the contractor’s past projects. This is another area where the internet has given homeowners incredibly useful tools for researching potential contractors. Most experienced contractors have a photo gallery of their recent projects on their websites. Be Happy Property Services has a bevy of pictures, information, and reviews. Chances are, the contractor can deliver the same results for your home.
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Check the BBB and trade organizations
Is the contractor an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau? Check the ratings online, Anchorage Better Business Bureau.
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Verify insurance, licensing and permits
Your contractor should be able to provide you with proof that they have the proper licenses to perform home renovation work in your community. It should also possess the required insurance to cover its workers in case someone is injured while performing work on your property, and it should have all required permits through your local municipality/government before beginning the job. Be Happy Property Services provides residential and commercial properties in Anchorage and our surrounding areas with dependable, licensed, insured, and bonded services.
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Ask about check-ins
A home remodel is not a “set it and forget it” type of project. Ask how often the contractor will check in with you as the work progresses. The contractor should have someone in the office specifically assigned to act as a liaison between you and the crew performing the work. Discuss this at the time the contract is being drawn up. Which brings me to the next tip…
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Get it in writing
It goes without saying that every aspect of your project should be professionally documented. Without a contract, it’s your word against the contractor’s in the event of a dispute about the labor, materials or the quality of the work.
An experienced and reputable contractor will offer you a comprehensive contract that clearly explains all the terms, from the financing to what happens if you are unhappy with the work.
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Price isn’t everything
If you’re like most people, your home remodel must fit within a certain budget. Although it’s perfectly normal for price to be a prominent factor in your choice of contractor, it shouldn’t be the only factor — or even the most important one.
If you opt for the cheapest price at the expense of quality, however, you will almost certainly end up paying for a replacement much sooner than you should. In the long run, this will add to your cost and likely decrease your property’s value.
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Be specific about financing
You should know exactly how much you’re paying — and when you’re paying it — before a single hammer flies on your home remodel job. It’s especially important to be wary about contractors that require you to pay in full before any work begins.
You wouldn’t pay for a new car without taking it for a test drive, and you wouldn’t purchase a new wardrobe without seeing it first. Why should something as important as a home renovation be any different? Be Happy Property Services is pleased to offer financing through Acorn Finance.
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Know exactly who is doing the work
Will the contractor you hire be the one doing the work, or will the contractor outsource your job to a subcontractor? Make sure you know exactly who will be showing up at your home prior to the first day of the job, so you feel comfortable with and confident about the individuals working on your property.
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Ask about materials up front
Understandably, you might not be an expert on shingles or siding, but that doesn’t mean you have to be in the dark about the materials being used on your home remodel. Ask your contractor to explain what types of materials it uses and why. You should also be given options for upgraded materials, as well as materials designed to be more budget-friendly.
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Who will be at your home while work is performed?
Will the contractor appoint a renovation supervisor to your job? The contractor should assign a single point of contact to be on site in case you have questions while the work is being performed.
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Ask about the what-ifs
Watch enough home improvement shows, and you’re guaranteed to see your fair share of unexpected — and often expensive — surprises. No matter how carefully and thoroughly you plan, it’s usually impossible to know the full conditions behind walls, underneath layers of roofing materials and below the foundation of a basement.
Expecting the unexpected should be part of any home remodel. Ask your contractor how it handles the what-if moments when they happen, and how it will affect your timeline and your budget.
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Know what happens if you’re unhappy
The contractor should make sure the job is completed to your total satisfaction. In fact, the contractor should be unwilling to walk away from the job until it’s absolutely perfect. Ask them how they handle customer complaints and concerns about the quality of labor and materials.
You’re paying for both a product and a service — the contractor should be 100% committed to doing the job the correct way, and it should have a plan in place to address any issues that come up along the way. Be Happy Property Services employs an amazing, friendly, hard-working crew, that provide full services at affordable prices. In fact, one of the things we hear most often from our customers is that they are impressed with how reliable and considerate our team is! Enjoy your free time, and leave all the hard work to us.
Be Happy Property Services provides residential and commercial properties in Anchorage and our surrounding areas with dependable, licensed, insured, and bonded services. One call, we do it all! 907-336-7434.