It is a wise decision to carry out a basement renovation since it is a great way of increasing the value of your property while at the same time getting your family a new living space. Regardless of whether you want to transform it into a new bedroom, entertainment room or home office before moving to the next step of the basement finishing process, it is very important to hire the right contractor. Below is a step-by-step approach to choosing the right contractor for the job.
1. Plan Your Project
However, there’s nothing wrong with taking some time before beginning the search for a contractor. There is a lot planning, which can be the kind of area that you want to have, how much money you are willing to spend on the room, and how long you want to have the room done. This will assist you in being able to pass a clear message when conversing with potential contractors of your project. It also means that you are going out for the right contractor, that is, a general contractor, a remodelling contractor or a basement finisher.
2. Gather Recommendations
Your first step in the search process should be to speak with friends, relatives, or neighbours who have recently had basements finished. They can tell you stories they have faced down the road and what you should not do. They might also have some relevant information regarding their contractor and their work, prices, and deadlines, for example.
Yet another good source of reference is other home improvement stores or building supplies stores. They can then have a list of preferred contractors who supply their material requirements in their store. Besides, they can promise discounts or seasonal offers on the contractor’s list.
3. Check Online Review Platforms
Sites such as Home Advisor, Angie’s List, or Yelp can serve big help in the search for the right contractor. Simply enter the words ‘basement finishing contractor’ followed by the name of your city or your postcode, and you will see a list of contractors in your area with customer reviews and ratings included. This way, you will be able to banish a lot of contractors from your candidate list for considering their practice and experience.
4. Request Portfolio and Licenses
When you have a short list of contractors with whom you may work, request that each submit a compilation of prior projects they have completed. This will help you to know the quality of work they produce and if it’s what you have in your mind. Moreover, the professionals you should hire should have proper licenses and insurance to work in the area you live in. That can shield you from any incidents happens on your property.
5. Interview Contractor for your Project
After that, select three to five contractors and have a meeting with each of them. You should ask them about how they handled other basement finishing projects like yours and how they would handle yours. Be sure to talk about your budget, timeframe and any other specific needs you may have. This will help you know how they communicate with you and if you will be comfortable talking with them or not.
In the discussion, it is important to discuss about the size of their team and also whether they are going to sub-contract the job. Obviously, you have to ensure that there are enough people on their team to tackle your specific project effectively.
6. Obtain Detailed Estimates
Make each contractor submit the cost quotation of your project to you. This should comprise the cost estimate and may be the cost of labour, the cost of materials or any other cost. It should also have the schedule of completion and payment. This will assist you in the process of selecting a contractor depending on what they will charge you or how long they are likely to take to complete the job.
Do not forget to request the estimates in writing and the best if they are detailed estimates. This will assist you in preventing any miscommunication.
7. Check References
When you are making your final decision, do not hesitate to request each contractor for at least three references of similar projects that were done recently. Then, ask these references if the contractor ever had any problems with the contractor, what was the quality of the contractor’s work, did the contractor finish on time and estimate and if they would give the contractor an A+ if they had to hire one.
8. Choose Your Contractor
Only after gathering all the information is it time to choose the best contractor available for the project. See their experience, reputation and how well they can be communicated with you. Don’t forget go with your instincts and select the contractor that you believe will complete the job as required.