Choosing a professional renovator

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Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 06 May 2009 18:29

Renovation is a team effort between you and the professionals hired to make your vision a reality. Choosing the right renovator is your key to satisfaction. Find out what a professional renovator can do for you, and take your time in selecting the renovator that is right for you and your project.

Spending a little time finding the right professional renovation contractor for your job is well worth the effort. Ask relatives and friends for recommendations; call the Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association for a list of renovator members; note who is doing work in your neighbourhood, and ask building material suppliers for suggestions. Once you have collected the names of at least three renovators, you can begin to narrow the search.

Hold preliminary interviews

Ask each renovator to meet with you personally. Prepare a list of questions related to the renovator's business and experience. Be ready to discuss your renovations in detail. It is a good idea to meet the contractor at their office. The condition of a contractor's office will often be a good idication of the quality of work provided by the contractor. As well, if anything goes wrong with your renovation, you want to be able to find the contractor. Make sure you know the location of the contractor's home or office. Avoid any contractor who refuses to let you meet at his home or office.

Check references

This is perhaps the most important step in selecting your renovator. Don't hesitate to call the renovator's previous clients to find out if they are satisfied with their renovation project. A satisfied customer will be pleased to tell you about the contractor who did their renovation. Similarly, a displeased customer won't mind taking a few minutes of their time to steer you clear of an unsatisfactory renovator. Also, ask about the renovator's current projects and drop by, if you can, to have a look at the job in progress. And don't forget to check with the renovator's bank, building material suppliers and the Better Business Bureau.

Get three different bids

Make sure that you provide all renovators with the same detailed information; otherwise, you cannot compare bids. With less than three bids, you won't be sure you are paying a fair price.

Consider more than just the lowest price

The lowest bid does not necessarily mean the best bargain for the homeowner. Make sure that the low bidder has understood the project fully, and that you will, in fact, get what you want. A low bid may be a sign of an inexperienced contractor or that the contractor has bid low to get the contract with full intention of billing for extras throughout the project.

Ask renovators to explain the difference in price

If there is a big spread between the highest and the lowest bid, or if all the bids vary significantly, it probably means that each renovator sees the job differently. (Variances of about 5% to 8% can be expected, even if all bidders are quoting on exactly the same work.) Ask each one to explain the bid in detail. Most professional renovators provide their bid in writing with a detailed description of everything included in their price. You may need to re-define the job and ask for revised bids from one or more of the original bidders.

Select the right person for the job

Renovators may specialize in particular aspects of home renovations; make sure you hire someone with the expertise needed for your project. Ask renovators about their past jobs and experiences.

Hire the right person for you

Experienced renovators and renovating homeowners alike say that the key to a successful renovation project is the working relationship between homeowner and renovator, built on trust and communication. Trust your instincts when you meet a renovator; once you are assured of his/her professional credentials, hire the renovator that you feel most comfortable with.

Be wary of a renovator who knocks on your door uninvited; does not have a business card or an address; uses pressure tactics; offers a special sale "right now"; won't sign a contract or let you check with your lawyer before signing, or insists on getting an unreasonably large deposit for work not yet begun.