Before Beginning Your Home Remodeling Project, Ask These Questions
Posted on: 6 February 2017
If you've saved enough money to completely remodel a living space or a kitchen in your home, you want to be sure that everything is done professionally and that the end result is something you'll be pleased with. An important partner in the process is a general contractor. If you've not hired one in the past, it's wise to ask these questions before signing a contract; the questions will help you pick a suitable company.
How Are Workers Hired?
Having various strangers in and out of your house until the project is over is normal; however, you may be somewhat concerned and want to know who will be in your house. Find out whether criminal background checks are done to ensure that your family and belongings are safe.
In addition to safety issues, you may want to find out if they have employees as opposed to freelancing, independent contractors. That may be more beneficial for you, as the contractor is more likely to offer them workman's compensation and other types of insurance; as a result, you are less likely to have to pay for damages if there is some injury. If they do use freelancers, ask about any insurance in place.
How Do You Select Subcontractors?
If there is plumbing work or electrical wiring that has to happen on your job, it's your contractor's job to find them. They will sub-contract that work to local electricians and residential plumbers and oversee their work. Those costs will be part of your overall bill, which is why it's vital that you have some idea of how those contractors will be selected.
For instance, do they have a longstanding relationship with different plumbers or electricians in the area? Can you check out their credentials and some examples of past work? Does the contractor instead allow local companies to bid on projects and hand over the work to the lowest bidder? Having this information will help you to get some idea of who will be working on your project.
In addition, just as you ask about the hiring practices of the general contractor who will have employees or freelancers in your home, it's also vital to ask about the employees of the subcontractors.
With these questions, picking the general contractor for your remodeling work can be simpler. Talk to a few contracting companies to ensure that you've done enough research and can select the best for the project.
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