According to the America’s Housing 2025 report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, Americans are expected to spend $608 billion on U.S. residential remodeling in 2025. If you have a trusted contractor, you are fortunate. But if you are in need of finding a reputable and reliable contractor for upcoming renovation work, it’s smart to seek referrals from friends and professionals, and follow that up with online research/reviews.
The National Association of REALTOR®’s Consumer Guide series provided the following tips for choosing a contractor for your next home improvement project or renovation:
Interview at least three contractors, gather bids and research the companies by asking the following questions:
• How long have you been in the business?
• Who will work on the project? Are they employees or subcontractors?
• Will you secure all necessary permits and approvals?
• Will you provide me with a contract that spells out the scope of the work, the timeline for completion and total cost?
• What allowances are in your contract bid? (Allowances are line items in the contract where the cost is yet to be determined; these variable costs can drive up the total cost of the project, so try to minimize any surprises by asking for a breakdown of all materials and products needed for the project, when possible.)
• Are you licensed for the work to be performed, bonded and insured? (Bonding protects you if your home is damaged; insurance protects the contractor and workers.) How much insurance do you carry and what does it cover? (Always verify that the policy is active.)
• How will you communicate with me during the project?
• Can you provide a list of references of similar projects you have done?
Lauren Bunting is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.
