Reno Of The Month: 5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Home Remodeling Contractor

Mina Fies, founder and CEO of Synergy Design and Construction

From Makaila Oaks

Mina Fies, Founder and CEO of Synergy Design & Construction, recently worked with Redfin and a number of remodeling experts from around the country to compile the key questions to ask before hiring a home remodel contractor.

The following is an excerpt from the top five questions we think you should ask before signing on the dotted line.

1. Ask yourself if the project requires a full service remodel contractor or if a handyman can do the job.

Using a glorified craftsman on a complex project can be disastrous. The difference is professionalism. If your project involves more than minor repairs, or if you’re doing more than just updating surfaces (like tiles or paint), you want a real remodel contractor.

Ask the company you are thinking about, “What type of work do you specialize in? Are you registered / licensed and do you belong to a professional industry group such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) or BBB? Show me your work, give me some references and tell me about your processes. “

Adding these items to the list of questions to ask a contractor will help you decide if they are appropriate for your project.

– Michael Hill, owner, CCH Design | Reconstruction of Meridian Idaho

Photo courtesy Synergy Design & Construction

2. Do you cover all phases of the project – from design to construction?

You should hire someone to walk you through the entire process, from helping with the design and renderings, to obtaining the necessary permits, to getting the work done professionally. Working with the same company throughout the project ensures a smooth and seamless process instead of hiring different people at each stage.

– Yourson Contracting

Photo courtesy Synergy Design & Construction

3. How many projects do you have in progress and what is the schedule for our project?

This is an important question to ask a contractor to make sure they are not too busy to take on the homeowner’s project. The homeowner also wants to know when the contractor will start and complete the project and what the project plan will be. In this way the homeowner can be prepared and planned around the construction. This also helps the homeowner be on site for any materials they provide when the contractor needs them to avoid delays.

– AGA Construction Inc.

Photo courtesy Synergy Design & Construction

4. Can you tell me about a problem you recently dealt with, an error on a project, and how you dealt with it?

Interview your contractor as if you were interviewing a prospect by asking open-ended questions. Listening to stories about how they overcame obstacles in the past will provide valuable insight into how to deal with problems in your project. It will also open a discussion about expectations for future communication.

– Mina Fies, Synergy Design & Construction

Photo courtesy Synergy Design & Construction

5. Will there be a dedicated team working on my project?

While we are taking care of home renovations during COVID-19, it may be one of the most important questions to ask your contractor. When it comes to who will be at work, consistency is key. It is normal for contractors to work on multiple projects at the same time. So make sure your project has a dedicated team. If this is not an option, make sure the company is following the security precautions in place due to COVID-19.

– Penn Construction & Design

Photo courtesy Synergy Design & Construction

Ready for a full service design-build home remodeling experience with a company here in Reston that can help you answer those questions? Get in touch!

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