Before you spend a ton of money on a home remodel, it’s essential to ask the right questions. It can be dangerous to hire a company that doesn’t have your best interest in mind, and sometimes renovations end up costing more money than they’re worth. Here are questions you should ask before hiring any company for your next home remodel.
Do you have liability insurance? A professional remodeling company should have liability insurance, and it’s essential to ask about the policy before hiring them for your home. If something goes wrong on their watch, you’ll be covered financially if they don’t have a solid policy. What will your role be in the remodeling process? Before you hire a company, it’s essential to know your role in the remodeling process. Many companies offer complete service renovations where they handle everything from demolition to design and installation. With this type of renovation, you’ll need to provide an empty house for them to work with. If you’d instead handle some of the responsibilities yourself, a handyperson can be hired to take care of cosmetic changes like installing tiles and painting.
How long will the renovation take? Time is money, and it’s essential to know how much time you’ll need to allocate for your home remodel before hiring any company. If you only plan on staying in your house for a few months, you probably don’t want to pay extra fees for a renovation that lasts longer than your time frame. If you know how long you plan on staying in the house, tell the company so they can come up with a reasonable timeline based on your time frame. How much will it cost? Remodeling costs are all over the place. Some homeowners spend thousands of dollars on minor upgrades, while others spend millions on full housing reconstruction. It’s essential to know how much you can afford before telling the company your budget. Don’t forget to include all expenses in your remodeling budget, including building permits, appliances, and any other materials or items needed for the job.
What type of guarantee do you offer? Most reputable home remodeling companies offer some satisfaction guarantee. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), “A company that stands behind its work is one you can trust to be there when you need them.” Be sure to ask how long their guarantee lasts, who is covered under it, and what procedures must be taken to qualify for the guarantee.
Will your home require planning permission? Some homeowners do house renovations that might require local planning permissions, including changing window sizes or adding/removing walls. If you’re unsure whether or not your remodel requires planning permission, call an expert before starting any work. Your city’s building department should be able to point you in the right direction. Do you have any testimonials from past customers? Before hiring a company, it’s essential to see what previous customers had to say about their experience. Ask for references and contact them to check out a company’s work.
