Top 5 Tips for Hiring a Remodeler - Part 1

Are you among the growing number of home owners who would prefer to remodel than try to purchase a new property? If so, you’ll soon learn that even simple remodels can cost a significant amount of money. With that type of investment on the line, it’s important to find a contractor you can trust. 

As the home building and remodeling industry celebrates National Home Remodeling Month in May, here are the top five tips to ensure you make the right decisions when you find, evaluate and hire a remodeler: 

Utilize a Directory
A simple Google search will provide you with seemingly endless pages of remodelers. To help narrow down your search to find a qualified remodeler, utilize a directory from a professional organization like the CWHBA, as well as trusted print publications like the Exchange. A professional remodeler will uphold the industry’s highest professional and ethical standards. These sources can also help you find a remodeler who specializes in a specific type of remodeling if you need it, such as a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) to help modify your home to suit you better as you age.

Narrow Down Your List
Once you’ve generated a list of professional remodelers, closely examine their services. The best place to start is by visiting the company’s website or social media accounts to see photos of their work. Home renovation websites like HomeAdvisor or Houzz also have pictures and reviews of remodeling companies. When reading online reviews, take the good with the bad. Try to focus on the descriptions of experiences and qualities that are most important to you as a customer. Another avenue is to ask for referrals from friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and others who have had remodeling work done on comparable homes under similar schedules. 

Conduct Background Research
Once you have a list of potential home remodelers for your project, do some background research to verify that they are appropriately licensed and have a good business track record. Look them up with the WA State Department of Labor & Industries. Verify that the remodeler has the appropriate licenses and registrations.

For more detailed checklists for finding, evaluating and working with a remodeler and other information about remodeling your home, visit www.CWHBA.org.