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Questions
to Ask Prospective Remodelers
Here is a list of questions you might want to consider asking
a prospective remodeler. Ask them all or select the ones you
feel are most important to you.
Also, see Questions
to Ask References.
1. Do they provide
Design/Build services or just construction?
2. Do they regularly do projects in your area? Other areas?
If so, what other areas?
3. What types of projects do they specialize in?
4. What types of clients do they find they work best
with?
5. Do they do the kind of work you are looking to have
done?
6. How many projects like yours have they done?
7. How long have they been in business?
8. How long has the owner been in the industry and in
what capacities?
9. Do they belong to industry organizations such as the
National Association of the Remodeling Industry, the
Better Business Bureau,
Build it Green, the Federation of Independent Businesses,
etc.?
10. Do they have appropriate certifications, like Certified
Remodeler (CR), Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler
(CKBR), Certified
Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), Certified Green Building
Professional (CGBP), etc.?
11. How is the architectural design handled?
12. What are the qualifications of the architects and
designers they use?
13. How do they assure that what they design can be
built within your budget?
14. Do they provide full turnkey services? If so, what
does that include?
15. How do they help you with product, color, materials,
and other selections? Or do they help at all?
16. Do they handle all variance issues, permits,
and licenses?
17. Are they licensed and fully insured? What about
their subcontractors? Will they provide you documentation
of
the licenses and coverage?
18. How does their insurance protect you, the homeowner?
19. Can you see photos of their work?
20. Can they describe the process they use for a smooth,
successful project?
21. How will communications be handled at each stage
of the project?
22. Do they have recent references?
23. Do they have references from homeowners for whom
they worked 5-10 years ago?
24. In what specific ways do they stand behind their
work?
25. What is the experience of the production manager,
lead carpenters and other trades persons who will
work on your
project?
26. What types of training and certifications do
their staff members have?
27. What level of experience does their staff have?
28. What percentage of the project manager’s time will
be devoted to your project?
29. Will senior management be involved in your project
and, if so, in what way?
30. Will they use subcontractors? If so, how long
have they used these specific subcontractors?
31. Do they build to meet code or do they build to
exceed code? If so, in what ways?
32. What steps do they take to keep your home and
belongings safe and clean during construction?
33. Where will they store building materials?
34. How do they handle site security?
35. How do they handle pets?
36. Will they provide you with a detailed schedule
of the project?
37. How are change orders and their costs handled?
38. How do they figure and use ‘allowances?’
39. How do they estimate their ‘allowances’ for
things like tile, lights, appliances, etc.? Do they estimate
them to
allow you to buy low, medium, high, premium, or super-premium
quality products and materials?
40. What are they looking for in a client?
41. What will they expect from you at each stage
of the process?
For more information about how we can help you with your project
please contact us today.
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