Copyright 2013 John Rogers Renovations. All rights reserved. ebook production by Jay Barr.

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2 Copyright All rights reserved. ebook production by Jay Barr., Inc. Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, Milton, East Cobb, and the Greater Atlanta Area

3 WHAT EVERY HOMEOWNER NEEDS TO ASK A REMODELING CONTRACTOR 3

4 You would think that launching an entire remodeling project would spark a truckload of questions from wary homeowners who have heard the horror stories surrounding the world of remodeling. Surprisingly, though, contractors admit they often aren t asked enough questions! Even though these same homeowners admit that there is plenty about the remodeling process that concerns them. 4

5 Why Homeowners are Scared of Custom Remodeling Crooks Quality of people in their home, trying to scam them for the most money possible Cost Custom building is unique to each situation, not a production item, it costs more Disappointment Can t visualize the plans, wondering/worrying if they will like it Disruption Nearly every routine is affected, only the family physician knows them better then us after two months Loss of Control 5

6 Timing and money are about the extent of the questions we hear, says John Stanforth of John Stanforth Construction, a member of the Miami Valley National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Chapter in Ohio. During an interview with a homeowner when homeowners should be asking about my credentials and verifying my business practices all I hear is: When can you start? When will it be finished? How much will it cost? 6

7 When a group of remodeling contractors were asked what questions homeowners asked most frequently, the group unanimously agreed that their most popular queries were: When can you start? When will you be finished? What time will you knock on my door each morning? What time will you quit for the day? Are you going to work every day? Can you finish before (insert any major holiday or significant family event)? How much will it cost per square foot? Unfortunately, these are not the type of questions that are going to tell you much about a particular remodeling contractor. 7

8 These questions aren t enough. Yes, timing may be everything in comedy, but that certainly isn t the case when it comes to remodeling. If you are going to have a successful remodeling project, you need to learn the right questions to ask and how to ask them. 8

9 While a reasonable timetable is important, says Stanforth, it shouldn t be the primary focus of an interview or a job - neither should budget. Homeowners should be focusing on trust and quality. If you find someone who is reputable and trustworthy, the budget and timeline will fall into place. 9

10 He recommends homeowners start by asking questions about a company s business practices and experience in a similar type of home remodeling project. If you decide you want to hire a particular contractor, then you can discuss when he or she can start, what time he or she can knock on your door each morning and when you will have your home to yourselves again. These are all items that can be discussed at a preconstruction meeting. 10

11 What Questions Should You Ask? Who will you choose to wield the hammer on your particular job? That isn't an easy question. Your choice of a remodeling contractor will ultimately determine the success and enjoyment of your investment. 11

12 You can increase your chances of having a successful project by: conducting qualifying interviews, following up on references and credentials, and considering all aspects of the remodeling project. 12

13 You need to look for the professional you feel will provide the best all-around service available above and beyond the necessary construction skills. The following questions will help you establish a company s qualifications and reputation, and help you find the right person for your job. 13

14 How long have you been in business? Look for a company with an established business history in your community. Surviving in any business in today's competitive marketplace is a difficult task. Most successful contractors are proud of their history in the industry. 14

15 Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job? Also ask whom you should contact if the supervisor is not available. Get exact names and contact phone numbers for all persons who will be involved in the project. 15

16 What is the time frame for starting the project? Now is the time to ask questions about work schedules. You should ask: What is your estimate for completion? How early will your crew normally begin work? When will they normally quit for the day? Will I be contacted about delays or changes in the schedule? By whom? 16

17 What is your approach to a project of this scope? This will give you an idea of how the contractor works and what to expect during the project. Listen carefully to the answer. This is one of the big indicators of the company s work ethic. 17

18 Who will be working on the project? Are they employees or subcontractors? If you do have employees, what are their job descriptions? Do you use a project supervisor or lead carpenter to oversee the project? Other firms will have additional positions. You should know what parts of your project will be handled by staff, and which will be contracted out to independent contractors. You should also ask if the sub contractor is someone that the contractor has worked with before and if so how many times? 18

19 Is your company a full service or specialty firm? If you are planning a small project, say replacing the bathroom plumbing, you may be better off hiring a specialty plumbing firm or a bathroom remodeler. However, if your project involves multiple changes, entire rooms or additions, you should consult a full service or design-build firm. 19

20 Do you have design services available? If you are considering a large or involved project, you will need design services. If the contractor does not have design-build capabilities, you should consider hiring an architect. Depending on the size and scope of the project, you may need an architect or structural engineer. 20

21 Does your company carry workers compensation and liability insurance? These two items are of the utmost importance. In 16+ years of doing business only 3 customers have ever asked for this. You should ask to be listed as also insured on your contractors policy so that they (contractor) are solely responsible for any injuries to persons or property even if its one of the main contractors subs who has let his insurance lapse. Always verify this information by calling the insurance agency. A copy of an insurance certificate does not let you know if the policy is still current. Even if the certificate has an expiration date, you cannot tell if the insurance has been canceled by either party. 21

22 What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business? This will give you a good indication about the company s customer satisfaction. According to research conducted by NARI, most remodeling businesses attribute over 50 percent of their annual volume to customer referrals; some even claim up to 90 percent or more of their total annual sales. 22

23 How many projects like mine have you done before? This will help you determine the contractor's familiarity with your type of project. You should confirm that a good portion of those completed projects were similar to the type of project you are proposing (and then make sure you get those projects as referrals). 23

24 May I have a list of references for projects you have completed which are similar to mine? The contractor should be able to supply you with a minimum of three references, including names, telephone numbers and addresses. As a follow up to this question, ask how long ago the project was completed and if the contractor can arrange a visit to see the finished job. You should also ask for professional references from suppliers or subcontractors to verify sound business practices. 24

25 May I have a list of business referrals or suppliers? You may want to add calling the contractor's suppliers to your list of follow-up actions. This will help protect you from mechanics liens for nonpayment by the contractor. Suppliers also can be a source to establish credit history for the company. 25

26 Will we need a permit for this project? Most cities and towns require permits for building projects. Failure to obtain the necessary permits or to arrange obligatory inspections can be illegal. In some cases, if a project violates a zoning law or some other regulations, it may even have to be demolished if there is no way to comply with the law. A qualified remodeling contractor will be conscious of the permit process, and ensure that all permits have been obtained before initiating any work. 26

27 Are you state licensed? In the state of Georgia, a remodeler, and most of his subcontractors, must be licensed by the State of Georgia. Their licensing can be verified at the following web site or by viewing their licensing card with their name and/or company name. 27

28 Are you a member of a national trade association? Members of trade associations are held to codes of ethics and other membership requirements. Membership in a trade association also shows commitment to the remodeling industry which helps ensure you re not just getting a guy with a hammer and a truck looking for some additional money on the side. 28

29 Of the many questions you can ask during an interview, the most important question is one you must ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable with and trust the person I am about to hire? Your answer to that question should make the hiring decision a little easier. 29

30 For more information, please see our website or give us a call to schedule a FREE consultation renovations@jrrenovations.com 30