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Step 1 - Forget about a contractor, get a designer Step 2 - Find 3 or more prospects
Somebody in your world is remodeling or has remodeled lately
Ask friends, family, co-workers, sub-contractors, neighborhood projects, realtors, Home Advisor, Angie’s List, Houzz, NextDoor
Step 3 - Check legals - Licensed and Bonded Step 4 - Meet and Greet - initial job interview
Subjectives - Are they on time? Appearance? Communication skills? Is this person not only a good tradesperson but also a good business person.
Review designs - a time to listen and be listened to
Critical questions:
How big is your crew?
Liability Insurance?
Do you employees subcontractors or your own in-house people?
How personally hands-on will you be with our project?
How often will you be on site?
How often will you be communicating with us?
Will you be itemizing your estimate?
What is your fee or percentage?
In addition to your stated fee do your subcontractors give you kickbacks? Do you mark up materials?
Can we use your discount to purchase materials directly from suppliers? How will the jobsite be left at the end of every day?
Will you have issues taking direction from our designer?
What level of residential craftsmanship are you most accustomed too? How do you handle change orders?
Step 5 - Ask for a “gut estimate” insuring it will neither win nor lose them the job
If the average of all gut estimates is above your budget - return to the design. If within budget - proceed to Step 6 (and proceed with other project costs: ie, engineering)
Step 6 - Check references, especially most RECENT references
ask to see the work yourself
Step 7 - When plans are complete, request formal estimates from your short list
Listen back to past episodes of HOME with Dean Sharp HERE.