|
By Jana
Ward
For the last several years, Americans have been purchasing
new homes and existing homes in record numbers. As a result,
homeownership is at an all-time high with slightly more than two out
of three households now owning their own homes. Sooner or later,
these homeowners will go scouting for remodeling contractors to
maintain their homes and protect their investments. Others may
search for remodelers to make improvements that enhance the value of
their homes and add to the overall comfort.
It comes as no
surprise then that the demand for remodeling services is pushing the
limits of the remodeling industry. Although the size of the
industry has expanded to meet the growing demand for remodeling,
there still aren’t enough experienced remodeling firms in some areas
to go around without clients having to wait months for their
remodeling projects to get underway. But whether remodelers are
overbooked or not, homeowners need to look before they leap and take
the necessary precaution of conducting a thorough search before
signing on with just any contractor who offers to start work
tomorrow and quotes what seems to be a reasonable price.
Keep in mind
when hiring a remodeler that you are buying a service rather than a
product. The quality of the service the remodeler provides will
determine the quality of the finished product and your satisfaction
with it.
A good place to
start your search for a remodeler is with the Greater San Antonio
Builders Association to get a list of their remodeler
members. A valuable resource for homeowners who have Internet
access is the www.sabuilders.com
to access the GSABA
remodelers council directory.
Referrals are also
helpful in obtaining names of remodelers to contact in your search.
Ask family, friends, neighbors and other people you know who have
had remodeling work done. The key question to ask is whether they
were satisfied with the work and the service provided and whether
they would hire their contractor again. You might also call local
building supply companies, architects, Realtors, home inspectors and
lenders involved in the construction industry for their
recommendations.
Once you have
several names of remodelers to call, you’re ready to begin the
interviewing stage of your search by checking out their
qualifications and familiarizing yourself with the projects they
have done.
First off, make
sure that the remodeler has a permanent business address and a phone
number where you can reach him directly or leave a message. Many
established remodeling firms now use e-mail to communicate with
their clients and suppliers, which can be a definite plus if you are
also connected to the Internet. A growing number of remodelers also
have their own Web sites that may provide useful information about
the company and frequently include photos of selected projects for
previous customers.
Ask how long the
company has been in business. Longevity suggests financial
stability, as the turnover rate for remodelers, like other small
entrepreneurs, is unusually high during the initial five years after
putting up signs on the doors of their offices and trucks.
Remodelers are
required to be licensed in Texas. Ask to see a copy of the
remodeler’s license and call the licensing agency to find out if
there are any unresolved complaints against the company you are
considering. Keep in mind that licensing requirements should not be
given undue weight in evaluating the company’s qualifications. Just
as not all licensed drivers are experts behind the wheel, not all
licensed contractors are expert remodelers. As an extra precaution,
call the local building inspector’s office to find out if it can
advise you about a particular contractor.
A very important step
that should not be overlooked in your investigation is to verify
that the remodeler carries workers’ comp and liability insurance.
Ask for a copy of both insurance certificates to protect yourself
from liability in situations involving property damage or
jobsite-related injuries.
Also, ask the remodeler to share the names and phone
numbers of customers you can call to seek their opinions of his work
and the level of customer service his company provided. It’s not too
far-fetched to ask the customers you call if you could make a
personal inspection of the work the remodeler did for them. Most
satisfied customers usually will be happy to oblige. The most
pertinent references are for jobs similar to the one you are
planning. It’s also a good idea to ask for one or two references for
projects that are currently in progress to make sure the company
isn’t steering you to only hand-selected clients with favorable
comments.
Another telling
indication of a remodeler’s reputation is his participation in a
trade organization such as NAHB and its affiliated Remodelors™
Councils. These organizations help to keep their members informed
about new products, construction techniques, business practices and
industry issues. Participation demonstrates a remodeler’s commitment
to professionalism and the remodeling industry. Professional
credentials such as Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR) reinforce the
remodeler’s commitment to his chosen profession.
And finally, ask yourself if you feel comfortable with
the remodeler and confident that this company will do the work
according to your plans, budget and specifications. It may take more
time and effort to find a remodeler by way of a careful interview
process than simply selecting a contractor based on a cost estimate.
But, as with any professional service, the benefits are only as good
as the individual or company providing the service.
| 