A bathroom remodeling project is a daunting task. However, before you can just go ahead and hire a random contractor to start the remodeling, you first need to ask a couple of things.
What to Ask When Hiring a Bathroom Remodeling Contractor
When planning to remodel your bathroom, you have to ask the right questions to ensure that the project goes smoothly. Here are the most important questions to ask potential contractors before hiring them:
1. Can I See Your Previous Work?
First, ask a contractor if they have experience with bathroom remodeling. The contractor should have photos of previous work to show you. If they have no experience with bathroom remodeling, find someone else.
2. Do You Have References?
A legitimate contractor will be able to provide you with references. When speaking to their past customers, ask about the contractor’s process, professionalism, and communication. If you want to really get to know the contractor before you hire them, find a reference that had something go awry, and find out how the contractor handled it.
3. Are They Licensed and Insured?
The contractor you hire has to be licensed and insured for your remodeling project to be legal, and for you to be protected. Without licensing, insurance, and proper permits, you have no recourse if something goes wrong. And if any of these barriers are not protecting you as a homeowner, something will go wrong and you will pay the cost.
4. What Is the Cost of the Project?
The first step toward hiring a contractor is getting an estimate for your project. The estimate should show you where every dollar is going. Unfortunately, hidden profits are often found on estimates. Without knowing where your money is going, how can you know that they will do what they say they are going to do?
5. What is the Schedule?
A reputable contractor will be able to tell you every details of what is going to happen and when. Without a firm schedule, your project could drag on forever.
6. Do They Offer Warranties and a Guarantee?
A legit bathroom remodeling contractor will be able to get you materials with warranties, and provide a guarantee on their work. This will protect you in case something goes wrong once the project is finished. It doesn’t do you much good to pay for a remodeled bathroom with a leaky bathtub or a toilet that doesn’t work.
7. What Are Your Payment Terms?
You should always get a written contract that includes the payment terms, and you should never pay the entire amount up front. This arrangement gives the contractor the funds to acquire materials and start the work and protects the homeowner from the contractor never finishing the job. Some arrange for half to be paid up front, and half upon completion. Some arrange for one third up front, one third after a midway milestone, and one third upon completion.
8. Are You a Member of the Better Business Bureau?
If the contractor is a member of the Better Business Bureau, they care about their reputation. Ask the contractor to provide you with a copy of their membership certificate or a link to their BBB profile.
Conclusion
There are some key questions to ask any potential bathroom remodeling contractor before hiring them. These include questions about their experience, process, timeline, and costs. By asking these questions, you can better understand whether a particular contractor is reputable, and the right fit for you and your needs.
Need a bathroom remodeling project done? Hire a professional contractor from us at Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers. We have both Indiana and Kentucky covered with our various services. Get in touch with us to learn more about what remodeling projects we can do for you.
