Thursday, January 9, 2014

5 Questions You Should Always Ask Before Hiring a Chicago Remodeling Contractor



So you have decided that the time is right to remodel your home. Maybe you are planning to revamp your kitchen to bring in the modern feel of granite countertops and new appliances. Or redo your bathrooms so they feel fresh again. You might even want to renovate your entire house, making changes to both the interior and exterior. No matter what type of project you are looking to have done on your home, there’s one major thing you need to be sure you have… a top-level Chicago remodeling contractor. But how do you know that you are hiring the right company for the job? You can start by asking them these 5 important questions:

1. Are you licensed and insured? This is one of the simplest questions you can ask a contractor. In fact, you can often ask it right over the phone when you call for an estimate. And if the response to either of these questions is anything other than “absolutely,” it’s time to move on to the next company on your list. As far as insurance is concerned, make sure they have the appropriate amount of liability and workman’s compensation. You should also check to make sure any subcontractor they use on your job is appropriately insured as well, otherwise you could end up in trouble if they have an accident on your property.

2. Have you ever done this type of work? While you may think that Chicago remodeling contractors can handle any home renovation job you need done, it is still best to hire someone who has done similar work to what you need done on your home. For instance, just because a contractor is good at painting doesn’t mean they are great at laying tile. A lot of contractors claim to specialize in multiple areas, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask about their specific experience to be sure. In fact, in some cases you may want to have them show you pictures of work that’s similar to yours, or even give you the number of a homeowner you can call for a reference.

3. What are your approximate start and end dates for my job? Before you sign your contract, you should definitely ask your Chicago remodeling contractor for estimated start and end dates for your job. This is vital information, as you need to know when certain areas of your home are going to be worked on so you can plan ahead. Now, there are certain factors that can alter these dates which may be out of your contractor’s control, such as a back order on a product or a backlog at your municipality’s permitting department. But a reputable contractor will have experience minimizing these problems so the delays they cause are not too long.

4. Who will be working at my home? Depending upon the size and scope of your project, the people who will be at you home on a daily basis will vary. This is just fine. But what you really want to look for in the response to this question is that your contractor has a thought-out plan. Plus, it’s good for the homeowner to know how many people will be at their home on a daily basis as work is being done.

5. Who do I call if something goes wrong? Normally, a professional Chicago remodeling contractor with experience will not run into many major issues on an average job. But just in case, it is always good to know who you should get in touch with if you see a problem. Sometimes, there will be a supervisor on your job site when the crew is working. But other times, depending on the size of your job, the supervisor will just have to stop by on occasion to check the progress. This is perfectly fine on most jobs. However, you really need to find out how to get in touch with the supervisor in case you need to.

Areté Renovators is a leading Chicago contractor that specializes in the remodeling of kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and many other areas of your home. To speak to a professional Chicago remodeling contractor who would be happy to answer these questions for you, please contact us today.

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