Renovating your house is a huge project. Whether you’re just renovating a bathroom or kitchen, or going for a bigger renovation, it’s a good idea to hire the experts. But if this is your first time working with a contractor, or maybe you just don’t know where to start looking, these tips will be helpful for you.
If you want to just find the experts directly, MW Homes offers expert renovations for all spaces such as laundry, bathroom, whole home and kitchen renovations in Melbourne.
Know What You Want from The Contractor
You’re the client, so that means you drive the process. To avoid confusion and increasing costs, you should know what you want from the project before speaking to the contractor. This includes what the area may look like, the details you want and the like. If you’re struggling to put together these goals in an easily understandable way you can speak to design consultants.
For example, if you want a bathroom renovation in Melbourne, you will need plumbing work, tiling, painting and installation to name a few, but you may be able to keep your toilet and basin if that fits your design.
Get Several Estimates
Plan to get at least a handful of estimates from different contractors before making a decision. These estimates will give you a clearer picture of how these companies stack up against each other. In addition to getting a better idea of the costs involved, you will also understand the work that each contractor does. For example, one person may offer a low price but do less detailed work, and another may offer a higher price but not do the finishings without an add-on. When considering disposal options for debris removal, inquire if any of the contractors provide USA Dumpsters rental services, as this could streamline your project logistics
Do Thorough Background Checks
Even if a friend or loved one recommended a contractor they have used in the past, you should check the minimum credentials. Get the full name and address of the business and make sure the business has a valid state license and proper insurance. Check their license and insurance numbers and make sure they’re up to date. Find out if formal complaints or legal action has been taken or is pending by doing some digging and you can have some better peace of mind.
Investigate The Contractors’ Work History
Not all contractors do the same job. Some contractors only do the bare bones. Others do the bare bones but charge for additional tasks, others may charge for everything to be done at once. On top of this, you should check and make sure their past work is similar to the goals of your project. This includes having quality materials and good workmanship as well as consistent client satisfaction. One key thing to also look at is if the contractors answer your phone calls on time and if they finish their tasks in a timely manner.
Know What You’re Paying For
Before signing on to a contractor, make sure you know what you’re getting. Often estimates are free if it’s a small task, but if it’s a bigger job, you’ll likely be charged for a proposal that outlines the scope of work. This will break down the costs for things like labor, materials, and fees as well as outline other jobs that need to be done like demolition, clean-up, and installations. If you don’t receive this breakdown or a contractor asks you to pay in cash or upfront, it’s a red flag.
Even if you do everything right, there is a chance for things to be disagreed upon, or hurdles to arise along the way, remember to keep good records if this happens.
