10 Questions for a Home Remodeling Company
When it comes to home remodeling in Minneapolis, our team at Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling knows that you have a lot of options as to who to hire. We would love for you to make us that choice. Our team of remodeling experts and interior designers in the Twin Cities has decades of combined experience creating beautiful interior spaces, something you’ll see in our portfolio of projects.
That said, we don’t ever want a friend or neighbor to go into the process of hiring an interior design company or general contractor blindly. This is why we’ve put together this list of 10 questions that we recommend you ask when interviewing potential remodeling companies for your project.
1. How Much Experience Do You Have in Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling?
Finding the right home remodeling contractor for your project should always include asking about previous projects and overall experience. Companies with a solid track record will be able to provide before-and-after photos of past projects and openly express how long they’ve been in the industry. The most reputable ones will provide testimonials or referrals from past clients, too.
==> Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling specializes in creating beautiful spaces you’ll enjoy for years to come. View our portfolio of Twin Cities design, remodeling & new construction projects for ideas and inspiration.
2. Are You Licensed and Insured?
State licensing and liability insurance is crucial when hiring someone to work on your home. Why? Sometimes things can go wrong during a project and you don’t want to be put in a position where you’re stuck. Instead, get copies of your contractor’s license number and proof of insurance to hold onto in case you need to make a claim in the future.
3. Who Handles Permits and Inspections for This Project?
Surprisingly, one area where a lot of homeowners have problems is with permits and inspections. While it might make sense that the contractor would be responsible for handling these items, some home renovation companies depend on the property owner to obtain these items. Instead, it is best to have clear communication and expectations from the very beginning.
4. What is Your Completion Timeline?
This is a very important question to ask. Even if your project is just a quick basement remodeling or something cosmetic, you should inquire right away what the home remodeling company expects in terms of timeframes. Follow up with questions about how they plan to stay on track and what happens if something causes the project to stray from this target. Again, communicating expectations early is very important for all parties.
5. Do You Offer a Warranty for Your Work?
There are a lot of factors outside your control and the ability of your home remodeling contractor. That’s why it is important to ask about warranty or guarantee information before the project starts. This will give you an idea ahead of time what is covered and for how long. In some cases, it might also be a deciding factor between two potential companies, if one provides a better warranty offer than the other.
6. Who Actually Completes the Work?
This is a good question, as it gives you an idea of what to expect when the project starts. In most cases, home remodeling companies work with sub-contractors who handle very specific areas of specialty, like electrical or HVAC. Other times, the company might have in-house employees that they’ve vetted as trustworthy and experienced. Good general contractors will vouch for the work of both external contractors and employees who directly work for their business.
7. How Are Change Orders Handled?
In a perfect world, all renovation and remodeling projects would always go according to budget and schedule. The truth is that sometimes the cost of materials can rise mid-project or additional needs are discovered along the way. The need for a change order can either bump up your overall costs or require you to adjust in other areas to free up funds. Asking from the very beginning how a company handles these changes is a good way to understand this process.
8. What Does a Daily Schedule Look Like for the Project?
If you’re planning on living elsewhere during the remodel, this won’t be as big of a deal. But if you’re staying in the home during construction, you’ll want to know what the daily schedule looks like ahead of time. After all, having workers coming in and out of your home can feel intrusive at times, but knowing what to expect can help. Also, ask about whether materials and tools will be left onsite, who oversees locking up at the end of the day, and other similar details.
9. What is the Expected Project Payment Schedule?
It’s important to protect yourself by asking right away about the expected payment schedule. Never pay for the entire project upfront, which can be the sign of a scam.
10. How Do You Resolve Disagreements?
While most contractors always hope to ensure projects go smoothly, there are times when everyone might not always agree. Some companies include in their contract that issues can only be resolved in arbitration, while others may not even address the process. As we previously mentioned, clear communication and expectations is important from the very beginning, which is why asking this upfront is important.
From Concept to Completion
Hiring a contractor for your remodeling project requires asking serious questions about the process, prior experience, and overall expectations. By keeping these ten in mind, you can help ensure the process goes smoothly and you get the right company for the job.
At Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling, we’re both an interior design company and a home remodeling contractor that can take projects from concept to completion. Whether you’re looking for aesthetic items like new window coverings and custom furniture in Minneapolis or an entire whole-home renovation, let us help create a space that is beautifully yours. Contact us today to schedule your interior design consultation.
