10 Tips on Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

1. When scheduling an appointment, tell the contractor to bring with them current copies of their license, bond, insurance and CCB claims history. This alone will send the message that you are serious about hiring a quality contractor. Then most importantly, check to see that what they provided in indeed up to date and accurate. Call the insurance and bonding Co, then check the CCB’s web site for any claims or complaints filed with them. http://www.oregon.gov/CCB/Pages/index.aspx

2. Get customer, supplier and subcontractor references and “call them"?. This step is very important to make sure the company you are hiring pays their bills.

3. Choose the contractor that has lots of experience for the project type you are doing. A below average contractor can easily get thru a minor bathroom remodel. Have the same contractor do a major remodel and the problems become apparent.

4. Make sure each bid you get has the same products, the same quality, the same quantity. You need to compare apples to apples not apples to oranges.

5. Make sure the contractor has a detailed contract that spells out what you are paying for. i.e.: Brand, quality, quantity, style and cost.

6. Make sure the contractor can work within your guide lines. Start date. Hours of working times, expected completion date, all change orders (if any) in writing, and how they are paid for.

7. Make sure you know what your responsibility is in your project. When to have rooms cleaned out, what to do about pets, cars in driveway, picking out products if you haven’t already done so, etc.

8. Make sure you understand the basics of lien laws. The state of Oregon requires lien information notices be delivered at time of presenting bids to all potential clients. The laws here state that if your contractor doesn’t pay his bills to the suppliers and subcontractors even though you have already paid him, They can file a lien on your property and go after you, the homeowner. You could end up paying twice for the same project.

9. Ask if you can see recent completed projects of the same type or better than yours. This is very important as it lets you see the quality of their workmanship. If they cannot do this, this is a big red flag be wary.

10. Always remember that you get what you pay for.