Hiring a Remodeling Contractor
Conveying your ideas - Page 4

by Leon A. Frechette

As you meet with each contractor, carefully explain what you have in mind. Now is a good time to bring out your sketches and magazine pictures. You don't have to be perfect in your details because a professional contractor will be able to interpret what you're saying. In fact, you'll be able to judge what type of contractor he is by whether he helps you through your descriptions and how well he listens. There are, however, some key questions:

1. Does the contractor listen well or does he interrupt a lot?

2. Does the contractor agree with everything you say or does he explain that there are building codes and regulations he must comply with?

3. When talking to you, does the contractor look into your eyes?

4. Does he malign other contractors or does he explain how he can do a good job?

5. Does he explain to you that bids can take up to a week?

6. Does the contractor try to force you to sign a contract on the spot?

Understand that with three different contractors you will get three different bids. In order to keep the bids close, be sure to give each contractor the same input. If one contractor proposes an alternative you like, remember that this will also make the bids different.

During this interview, talk about everything that relates to the project. Listen carefully to the contractor to see if he offers good advice to make your job better. Be sure to ask how the contractor will protect your home, your personal belongings, the home's contents, and the area surrounding the project. Make sure that you and the contractor really understand each other as this will be critical to the final outcome of your job.

If you have a budget, be sure to mention your price range. This will help the contractors decide how to best approach your job. While this does not guarantee the contractors can stay within that budget, it will give them the opportunity to provide you with some affordable alternatives.

Your initial meeting with each contractor should take approximately two hours for a large job and approximately 30 minutes for a smaller job.

Copyright © 2006 LAF/C.R.S., Inc. All rights reserved. The previous article, in whole or in part, appeared
on the market in 1988 in The Helping Hands Guide To Hiring A Remodeling Contractor.

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