All of this remodeling has really made me appreciate Chino. I already knew him {and his work}, so for me, it was really a no-brainer. I hired him without ever once having to question the quality of his work. Remodeling is expensive, and if you are going to spend your hard-earned money improving your home, you want to make sure it’s done well and on time. So, when One Hundred Dollar a Month reader, Dawn, sent in a question about finding her own Chino, I decided I would weigh in, and then open it up to my peeps to help her out.
She wrote,
Hi! I love the work you have done to your new home! Since I know you can’t send Chino the Handyman to Georgia (one can wish), do you have advice on what to look for in a contractor? I know there are many reputable contractors to be found without hiring a large (expensive) company, but I am having a hard time weeding the good from the bad. Thanks!
Dawn
My first step in finding a contractor is to ask friends that you know have remodeled. Get recommendations from someone who has been through it. No matter how good your contractor is, a remodel is stressful at times, friends will be able to give you the good, bad and the ugly on the contractor they used. Nothing beats a solid recommendation from an actual person.
If a recommendation isn’t possible, I would pay the money to join Angie’s list. It’s basically a website that offers a selection of local REPUTABLE contractors {for just about any job}. Angie’s list vets contractors for you. Plus, there are tons of local reviews {that are verified actual customers} to help you decide on someone.
If you are going to invest in remodeling your home, you definitely want to make sure you don’t end up on HGTV recounting your rehab nightmare. No matter who you choose, ask for references {and call them}, ask for pictures of previous jobs {a professional will have them}, and draw up a contract that protects you {legalzoom.com can help you with that}.
I know that lots of YOU have done remodels. How did you find a capable contractor?
~Mavis
Kristina says
Those are all excellent suggestions. We did a did a substantial remodel five years ago, and one thing that struck me was how very much time we spent in the company of our contractor, especially as we lived in the house during the remodel. Besides doing good work, your contractor needs to be someone who “gets” you and vice versa. Our guy got so he asked the kids about their algebra tests and how their sports seasons were going, etc. We loved that he was so personable and that he really got to see how we lived — we made some changes on his advice that were directly a result of this connection, and which really made our remodel so much better than it would have been otherwise. A different family might have HATED working with someone who acted so familiar. So personality is something I would add to my list of questions for friends you ask to recommend a contractor.
Rebecca says
I have had a membership to Angie’s List for many years, and always use it to find people to do work on my house. It is definitely worth the cost and all of my experiences have gone well. Also, many companies advertise special deals on Angie’s List (probably when times are slow) such as painters, plumbers, window washers, etc., etc.
Jenn says
Yes ask for friends and family recommendations. The hubby and I bought a foreclosure 2 years ago and it had to have a large remodel. My Aunt suggested a guy that had done a lot of work for her and some friends of hers so we called him up and hit it off with him. He was very anal retentive and if he didn’t like the way something looked, he would fix it. Generally if he didn’t like it, I wouldn’t like it either. So it worked great for us.
Betty McMillan says
We joined Angie’s List when looking for and checking credentials for a floor installer. Would not waste my money doing it again. He had good reviews and once he found out we had looked on the list and he had gotten the job, he said he would take $100 off our bill if we put in a good review. The floor turned out terrible and since cabinets had to be taken up and we were without a kitchen for about 10 days, my husband wanted nothing more to do with this man. Reviews are not always what they seem.
Ann says
I would put more weight on recommendations from friends and family than a consumer service like Angie’s List. I have memberships with both Angie’s List and Consumer Checkbook, and my opinion is that Consumer Checkbook is far superior. I have had success with CC, and have had several bad experiences with Angie’s List recommendations. I’m on the home stretch of my second whole-house reno. I have learned a lot and am lucky my husband is talented and can do a lot of the work, and I have learned how to tile, sheetrock & mud, finish & refinish wood, etc. But everyone has their limits and needs to know when to find the right pro.
Susana says
Now I get it why you said the other day that all your contractors are good looking 😉
L. bryant says
Mavis I have to DISAGREE with you on Angie’s list. It has been reported that many businesses have paid people to give them “excellent reviews” for their (non existent) work. Also, Angie’s list DOES NOT VERIFY ANY OF THIS INFORNATION.
I live in Georgia and my husband is a licensed contractor. He took the state examinations, has done the required continuing education and carries the required insurance and business license. Angie’s list DOES NOT VERIFY ANY OF THIS INFORNATION. Every state has to list anyone with any required current license on their Secretary of State’s website. In Ga it tells if the contractor took the exams (we had a group exempt prior to testing if they had a $250000 line of credit for their business. In retrospect the state has discovered problems with many of those licensees.) in addition any action taken by the state against the contractor is also available.
I agree with you :
1. Ask others who have had work done or go to any homes that you see work being done at and ask about the contractor.
2. Get references for similar work and then call and ask for the possibility to see the work. Clients who are pleased with the work will often offer to show off their homes.
3. Get a complete estimate. That includes general work hours and days. Materials, colors, etc. should be listed. Agree to a payment schedule, change order costs, and scheduled meeting updates on the work, cleanup and a written warranty and a notarized release of lien after the final payment to prevent suppliers and or tradesmen to come to you for any unpaid bills.
4. If permits are required then make the contractor pull them. That will prevent your homeowners insurance to be the primary insurance covering the work.
5. Have the contractor have his insurer issue you a copy of their liability insurance. Your name and address should be listed on it. Do not accept a copy offered by the contractor. Most policies are paid quarterly or monthly and without it being issued through their insurer you will have no coverage. Many times contractors will give the liability certificate since it lists the policy’s term dates (start- end). But if the policy has not been paid (or only the first premium paid so that a certificate is issued) then the homeowner would not be covered. In addition if the work is being done and payment on the contractors policy has lapsed then the homeowner is contacted. Usually a warning about a business in trouble.
6. Ask for the contractors business license and federal tax ID number. A quick phone call to verify current license and no liens against the business would be an additional check for a healthy business.
7. Plan on the fact that these are adults who will be working in your home. Offer a bathroom for workers and if you have any concerns with pets, kids, neighbors please explain it ahead of time.
8. Don’t always think the lowest bid is the best. Verify that the contractor has a mailing address, a website, and a business phone number (not just a cell phone). These overhead costs do add to the costs but they often ensure that the contractor is in the business for a career.
Jake White says
We are going to do a remodel on our kitchen, and currently we are in the planning process. We haven’t hired anyone to help us out yet, but after reading it sounds like a good way to do that is through personal recommendations. Angie’s list seems like another good source, and so we will be sure to look into that. Thanks for sharing this post!