The most rewarding home improvement project is remodeling a bathroom. The results are immediate and personal – a new, sparkling shower or bathtub, fresh paint, a bathroom vanity with a beautiful counter, and more storage space than ever.
Reselling your home with a high-quality remodel will increase its value. Hiring a bathroom renovation specialist with extensive experience is one way to guarantee the best bathroom remodel. Hiring a designer, in addition to a licensed contractor of high quality, can save you time and money.
Interview Three or More Bathroom Contractors
You will only get a limited range of opinions if you talk to one or two bathroom installers. You may be surprised by the price of these bids if you ask for them. You can find the right contractor for your project by interviewing more contractors. You’ll also have more options to choose from.
Check the Contractor’s Past Work
Bathroom contractors usually bring a photo gallery of their previous bathroom renovations to the interview, either on a computer screen or in a picture album. The contractor’s portfolio can be viewed on their website or any contractor matching sites they are a member of.
Look past the pictures to determine if the bathroom contractor can do your work.
Get Estimates in Writing
The homeowner and the bathroom contractor are unlikely to value verbal estimates. Even with good intentions, numbers can be forgotten, misunderstood, or misheard. Written estimates are easily understood and valuable if you ever need to file a lawsuit. Asking a bathroom contractor to give you a ballpark estimate is fine. You should know that the contractor must not provide a written estimate.
Fix the Schedule
Be sure to discuss with the contractor before signing the contract the start date of the remodel and the duration of the project. Both you and the contractor are concerned about scheduling. You can only proceed with the contract when both parties are in agreement.
The clause “Time is the essence” in a contract is well-known. It specifies the time frame the contractor must work on the project and the payment schedule for the homeowner.
Clarify What the Contractor Will Do
Before signing the contract, ask the bathroom contractor about the details. Bathroom remodelers have a list of tasks they perform and the materials required.
The contractor will never say that the bathroom is being remodeled. This larger bathroom remodeling project comprises smaller, more defined sub-projects.
Talk About Reusing or Supplying Your Items
You can recycle materials from the bathroom you already have when remodeling it with a contractor. You should discuss the materials you want to reuse with your contractor. Be sure to follow the contractor’s advice about the viability and suitability of the materials.
Most bathroom remodelers are amenable to consumers providing minor components like fixtures. If they reply “no,” perhaps this isn’t the right contractor for you. Remember that the contractor should provide most of the products, such as larger building materials.
Peripherals: What to Know
A good contractor will proactively bring up issues that may affect you during the remodel of your bathroom. What will you do if the bathroom is your only one and it’s being renovated? When will the subcontractors arrive? Will they work weekends? These issues, and many more, can affect your daily life when remodeling your bathroom.
Verify Licenses and Credentials
Bathroom contractors must be licensed or registered. They must also meet various requirements, including insurance, bonds, criminal background checks, tests, continuing education, etc. As a requirement for membership, online contractor matching services require licenses and registrations to be current.
Refrain from assuming they are valid or current just because the contractor posted licenses and bonding on his website. You can check the licenses at the local agency.
Select the Contractor Who Is the Best Fit
The final decision on a contractor to remodel your bathroom is based on more than just the low estimate, which most people tend to focus on. If the materials or workmanship are only good for a few short years, an inexpensive bathroom remodel will not be worth it. Consider the cost along with:
- You and the contractor’s ability to work together
- If the contractor has completed similar projects to yours.
- Schedules, yours and that of the contractor
- The professionalism of the contractor
- Other clients’ testimonials
Signing a Contract
Sign a contract with the contractor you choose after you’ve made your decision. Both parties should sign the contract, which should contain the following:
- The project details.
- The cost.
- The payment schedule.
- The work site address.
- The start and end dates.
- Both parties agreed upon other details.
If the bathroom contractor objects to operating under a valid contract, go on since they are not a good fit for you. This raises the alarm. Even if the contractor has no intention of defrauding you, this shows a lack of attention to detail that may manifest later in the project.
Conclusion
After completing a bathroom remodeling project, homeowners can enjoy the immediate benefits of a more functional and aesthetically pleasing space. Not only does a high-quality bathroom remodel increase the property’s resale value, but it also provides more storage space and a fresh, new look. To ensure the best results, homeowners should interview multiple contractors, examine their past work, get written estimates, clarify the project schedule, and discuss any items to be reused. Homeowners also need to verify the contractor’s credentials and licensing.
Lastly, the contractor’s professionalism, workmanship, and ability to meet scheduled timelines are key to successful remodeling. A well-drafted contract then binds the agreement. Therefore, if you need a kitchen transformation with ultimate professionalism, our expert remodelers at Pro Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers of Starkville are at your service. We promise high-quality workmanship, timeliness, and complete satisfaction. Don’t wait! Schedule a consultation with us today, and let’s make your dream of a kitchen and bathroom remodel a reality.
