Ask any homeowner who has completed a significant renovation and they'll tell you the same thing: finding the right contractor makes all the difference. Doing the job right requires experience, expertise, organization, and communication skills.
Naturally, not every remodeling contractor brings all of those to the table. Hiring someone who falls short in multiple areas can lead to disappointment, frustration, and financial stress.
As someone who has been in this business for decades, I'll admit that there's no such thing as a perfect contractor. As in all walks of life, everyone makes mistakes. But the best of the best keep mistakes to a minimum, and if they occur, they own up to it and make things right.
So how can homeowners find the best and avoid winding up with a problem contractor?
In this post, I'll go through some red flags that you can look for during the vetting process. Doing your due diligence can help you find a high-quality remodeling contractor who commits to making your home renovation a success.
Just because someone is a general contractor doesn't mean they have the right background to excel in home remodeling.
Many general contractors don't specialize (as the name implies!). They may handle commercial buildings, new home construction, or other types of projects. But not all construction projects are the same.
Home remodeling projects involve unique challenges, so you should look for a residential contractor with extensive experience renovating existing homes. They can leverage that experience throughout the renovation process, including easy-to-overlook things like understanding the relevant building codes and permits required for your remodel.
When you hire a contractor, there should be no question that they are licensed, bonded, and insured.
Licensed means they are legally allowed to do construction work in your area
Bonded means that there's financial protection for you if the job doesn't get completed
Insured means they have proper coverage, including liability insurance and insurance for property damage
If any contractor wavers when you ask if they're licensed, bonded, and insured, it's a major red flag.
When choosing a contractor, look for someone who's a straight shooter. Consider it a red flag if someone seems evasive or vague when you ask for clear information.
I will say, however, that there are times when the truthful answer to a homeowner's question is that "it depends." Especially for complex remodeling projects, things aren't always cut-and-dried. But a trustworthy remodeler will try to explain why it depends rather than try to change the subject.
Those of us in the remodeling business sometimes get carried away with terminology, and I wouldn't hold that against someone. But if they use "contractor speak" to try to confuse you or avoid answering your questions, that's a concern.
In the end, someone who always tries to give you a clear answer is going to be far easier to work with at every stage of the project, including when dealing with big issues like timelines, project costs, payment schedules, and budget overruns.
Consider it a red flag if a general contractor can't show you direct examples from their portfolio or can't give you names of past clients that you can contact.
You should always check references, and a portfolio serves as evidence that the contractor has work experience that's relevant to your home renovation. Although most contractors won't be able to tell you exactly how many projects they've done that are like yours, they shouldn't have any problem connecting you with past clients who can vouch for their work.
There's a reason that the saying "measure twice, cut once" is so well-known in the construction and remodeling industry. Top-tier remodelers know that you can't rush high-end work. You won't meet demanding quality standards by cutting corners.
For example, before construction begins, a great remodeling contractor will take the time to fully examine your home's existing structure, which helps them uncover potential challenges and make a plan to minimize disruptions to the project schedule. By not rushing, they set the project up to run smoothly.
Now, it's true that the best remodelers are busy people without time to waste. But there's a difference between being efficient and being rushed, and you should be wary if it feels like the latter.
Every homeowner has their own vision for their dream home, and every remodel has its unique elements. That's why it should raise concerns if a contractor fails to ask questions about what you hope to achieve with your remodel.
They don't need to know your entire life story, but they should be curious about your goals and priorities. Without that, they may try to apply a cookie-cutter design from projects similar to yours even if you actually need custom work. In the end, we all know what happens when you assume, so look for a contractor who asks instead.
Any time you meet with a contractor, you should finish the conversation by asking about the next steps and when you should expect to hear from them. If they repeatedly fall behind in meeting follow-up expectations, or even worse, fail to follow up at all, it casts doubt on their project management skills.
While sometimes delays occur, it's worrisome if you see a pattern here. After all, if someone can't manage to keep their commitments at the start, how can you expect that it will get better during the renovation process?
As I mentioned earlier, communication skills are important to the success of your remodel. Unfortunately, some contractors act like they're listening, but they don't hear what you're saying.
What I mean is this: they listen for the main point that you're making but not the details. They might even cut you off or talk over you instead of letting you finish.
At the end of the day, you should feel comfortable communicating with the remodeler that you hire. If a more concise, brusque style works for you, then that's great. But if you want more engagement and aren't getting it, it's a red flag that you shouldn't just brush aside.
An alternative to hiring a general contractor is hiring a design-build contractor who focuses on home remodels.
Design-build remodelers offer a full-service package that includes the design, project plan, and actual construction. With a design-build approach, all of the project management is under one umbrella and one contract, meaning you work with the same firm and same team from day one.
In my experience, design-build firms are more collaborative and delve into the details of your project. They also function more efficiently and can seamlessly move your project from milestone to milestone since all the work happens under one roof.
Compelling Homes is a design-build firm that has been serving the Des Moines area for more than 15 years. We focus on custom and high-end home renovations, and we welcome you to check out our portfolio and see reviews from our clients.
We have an interior designer on staff and a construction team that's shown their skills time and time again across a wide range of remodeling projects. If you're thinking about starting your dream renovation, contact us today to learn more about how we can make the entire process a success.