From the Contractor’s Mind: Five Ways to Better Prepare for a Remodeling Project

In today’s struggling economy, more homeowners are opting to remodel, but sometimes a remodeling project can seem just as daunting as a new purchase. My husband, a self-employed contractor, deals with his clients’ frustrations on this topic daily. So, naturally, I get to hear about it as well.

From not knowing where to start, who to choose for the project, what brands or products to look for and all the other questions in between, I decided to pick his brain and give homeowners a few tips on how to feel better prepared. My hope is these insights can also help our clients gain a greater understanding about what his day-to-day challenges are like.

1. Know What You Like/Set Goals & Expectations. Before you start your project, do some research. Books, magazines, the Internet, store visits and product samples can all help inspire you and your project along the way. These could be invaluable resources as you begin discussions with your contractor and will help them to narrow down your options and make recommendations. It will also help you better understand costs.
2. Check Out Your Contractor. Do a little digging. Ask for a portfolio and references or referrals. See if friends and/or family have used a particular person or company. A reputable contractor will have nothing to hide and be more than happy to provide you with these items. You can also look for independent reviews online, at places like Angie’s List.
3. Educate Yourself on the Necessities of the Project. A remodel will only be as good as the products used. For your own peace of mind, you’ll want to know what items are required and which items would be “nice to have.” This will also help you understand the price vs. quality decisions that you’ll need to make along the way.
4. Communicate! Establish how and when you’d like your contractor to be in touch with you. You’ll want updates throughout the project — some clients want them daily, while others opt for weekly. Either way, ensure your contractor knows how you’d prefer to be notified when change orders arise and updates are needed.
5. Conduct a Post-Mortem at Project Completion. When the project is finished, both the client and contractor should do a final walk-through, preferably together. Use this opportunity to determine if any loose ends need addressed, that all items were taken care of as planned, that both parties are happy with the end result and how to handle any issues that may occur in the near future.

So how do these tips fit into the manufacturer’s equation, you ask? Well, the contractor needs the right tools to communicate effectively with his homeowners in order to gain their confidence. If the remodeling process goes smoothly, he maintains good relations with them and hopefully gets more work from them in the future. Ask yourself, what could help him sell his services, strengthen his business and offer materials that benefit his homeowners? (For some more advice, see our section on how to sell contractors.)

By providing the right resources to help the contractor work effectively with his homeowner, he’s probably far more likely to pick you for the next job.