Selecting a Contractor

There might not be a greater endeavor than improving your home. A remodeling project is exciting because you are creating something that is yours in both design and purpose. The project is your stamp on the quality of your home. Selecting the right contractor to make your vision a reality is critical not only for the experience but also for the finish of the final product.  So how do you go about choosing the right contractor?

Research:

Ask friends or family if they would recommend anyone for your project. They might be able to give you a first hand account about the contractor. Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find an A rated contractor in your area. Go to www.buildfoxvalley.com  to find a member of the local builders association, Home Builders Association of Greater Fox Valley.  HBAGFV Members are professionals who are focused on building and remodeling to local and national standards. You can also check online resources such as www.guildquality.com  for feedback on local contractors from actual client surveys. Once you find a few contractors, visit their websites to view their project portfolio and get a sense for their style and quality.

Meet:

Call the contractors you have researched and schedule a meeting to discuss your project. You should feel comfortable with the contractor first. If you cannot openly communicate with him then it is probably not a good fit. Projects take time and a lot of decisions need to be made.  Thorough and considerate communication is the key to a successful project. Ask the contractor for a list of references and feel free to call them. A quality contractor should not get nervous at the request.

Cost:

Do not let price be the only consideration in a series of quotes. I have never seen an “apples to apples” quote before. Most projects are too complex to be equal. Be careful of the lowest bidder. Low cost usually means low service and “I did not include that” discussions later. Ask questions and try to get as much in writing as possible to make sure you are truly getting what you pay for.

Be honest with your contractor about your budget, expectations, and past experiences. This can go a long way to creating a better environment for your next project. Communication is a two way street and nobody likes to be left in the dark.

We always joke around with our clients that they will miss us when we finish their project. Here is an actual email from a recent client:

We really are so pleased at the work you all did. Your sub contractors were great and you and your parents were amazing. We feel blessed to have had you do the work and make our house just the way we wanted-actually, better than we even imagined. You all were fair, hard working, fun, kind and in addition to just being great people, you are terrific at your job. Thanks for giving us more than we could have imagined. I must admit, I have had a bit of withdrawal this week. It is odd to have no one here in the morning. I hope your new job is going well and we will talk to you soon.
God Bless,
Paula

We focus on creating the easiest work environment for our clients. This is done by adjusting starting and finishing times to meet school or work schedules, cleaning up daily by just not sweeping but vacuuming too, and maintaining a safe work environment for the family, including pets.