Completing a home remodeling takes a great amount of time and planning, especially if it is a complicated project, such as updating your basement and even multiple rooms within your house. Alone, this will inevitably lead to numerous challenges, from researching the best materials to choose from, their prices, and so on, as well as the possible styles and designs you would like to utilize in your remodel.
Additionally, if you are trying to perform this by yourself, the likelihood that your remodel will be high in quality and durability is slim. Hiring professional home remodeling contractors can simplify the process, allowing you to focus more on how you want your updated space to look like. At Monarch Design & Remodeling, our team has spent over 20 years in helping clients in Vienna, VA, and across Northern Virginia with designing and building a variety of remodels for their homes, including kitchen, bath, and basement renovations, floor plan redesigns, and custom cabinetry. Below is our guide to choosing the best company for your next home remodeling project:
Choosing Your Home Remodeling Contractors
- Search & Review Candidates
The very first thing you should do when looking for an ideal contractor is to build a list of several local contractors in your area. Do this by both looking online on social media and review sites, as well as seeking the recommendation of friends or colleagues. Avoid contractors that are missing key reference channels, such as a website, social media account, or online reviews.
2. Compare Portfolios
With a list of possible contractors, you can now begin doing research on their particular specializations based on their portfolios. These can often be found on their website, but some may also provide potential clients a physical copy of their previous work.
Based on their portfolios, compare the projects of each contractor. Check how many they present in their portfolio, as that may indicate the depth of their experience. Keep in mind how many examples of your type of project are included, which could show what a particular contractor specializes in.
3. Check for License and Certification
It is essential to check whether the remaining contractors have the proper certifications and licenses for the specific project you seek to complete. Each state has different legal requirements, so first check what they would need to legally perform contracting in Virginia. Also, ask each contractor if they carry liability insurance, in case they damage your home in the remodeling process, as well as worker’s compensation for any injuries they may receive.
4. Examine References
Once you’ve filtered out the contractors without proper insurance, licenses, and certifications, then request a list of references from the contractors that remain. They should promptly give you one upon request, as it is expected within the contracting business. These include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of their previous clients, but should also have the dates of each job.
Some examples of questions you could ask previous clients include:
- Did the contractor stay on schedule/budget?
- Did they keep the remodeling site clean?
- Has their work required maintenance since the initial remodel?
5. See a Previously Completed Project
Among the references that you are reviewing, try to see the work done for at least one home for each contractor. Ask the homeowner if you could visit their home to see the finished product. Once you are able to visit, closely examine the contractor’s work. Check out whether they used quality materials by looking for weathering or damage that’s formed since the remodel. Look for cracks, stains, imperfections and asymmetrical placements for features such as tile, appliances, paint, etc.
6. Receive Bids and Hire a Contractor
With the contractors you have left, discuss the bid for your work with each contractor. A bid is usually a proposal and estimated cost a contractor presents in an effort to receive your approval to work on your project. In detail, it would include the schedule for the project, the sort of materials they recommend using, the appearance of the overall design, and so on.
Carefully choose the bid that most fits your ideal vision of the home remodel. Even if it isn’t the cheapest, you simply want the contractor that will provide the highest value based on craftsmanship and affordability. Once you select your contractor, they will provide a finalized version of the proposal, and once you sign it, your project will begin.
Monarch Design & Remodeling: Expert Home Remodeling Contractors in Vienna, VA
Finding the best contractor for your home remodeling project can be tricky, but by following the guide above will ensure you receive a first-rate remodeling service. Monarch Design & Remodeling have included the highest-rated home remodeling contractors in Vienna, VA, and Northern Virginia, having undergone numerous projects all across the region.
At Monarch Design & Remodeling, we maintain a customer-centric approach to our design and remodeling process, which has brought us continued business through the number of clients that have been so satisfied with our work. Our designers personally meet with clients to discuss the goals and preferences they have for their project, as well as inspect the potential work area, assessing all aspects of the project before it has even begun.
Contact us at 703-789-3288 to begin discussing your remodeling needs and receive a free quote.