Halloween is all about the scares.
You dress up as a zombie, vampire, or a ghost to give your friends and family a good fright.
That type of fall tomfoolery is all in good fun.
But, there’s a kind of horror that you don’t want to experience at any time of year – a home remodeling project that goes wrong.
Let’s take a look at some ways you can avoid a remodeling fear-fest.
1. Find a quality contractor.
When it comes to having work done on your home, you can’t be too careful about your choice of a contractor.
Do your homework.
Here are some steps you can take to find a contractor you can trust:
- Read online reviews. You can actually get a lot of information by checking out a company’s online reputation. Pay attention to any red flags that you see mentioned repeatedly.
- Ask around. Request recommendations from family and friends who have had work done. You know that you can trust their judgement.
- Talk to former customers. Ask the company for testimonials from other people they’ve worked with. If they refuse to give you any names, head for the hills, because they probably have some skeletons in the closet.
- Go with your gut. In addition to these other pointers, of course! Once you’ve found a contractor with a stellar reputation, make sure you can communicate with them easily. Do they feel like a good fit?
2. Be clear about your expectations.
Just because a contractor is experienced doesn’t mean he can read your mind.
It’s up to you to clearly communicate your vision for the finished product.
Don’t be afraid to give them pictures you’ve taken from the internet of magazines to use as you’re working together to come up with a plan.
They’ll welcome your input because a good contractor will want you to be satisfied with their work.
3. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
Before he starts knocking out walls, your contractor will show you a rendering of what your finished product will look like.
Now’s the time to voice your concerns if it isn’t exactly what you had in mind.
It’s much easier to fix an issue now rather than later.
And remember: You’re not going to hurt their feelings – they understand that they’re working for you and they want you to be happy so that you’ll recommend them and maybe even leave a glowing online review!
4. Be positive your contractor is properly insured.
It may not seem like a big deal.
But, it is because it protects you, as the homeowner.
It would definitely be a Halloween-worthy scare for something to go wrong on the job site with a contractor who isn’t covered by worker’s compensation and liability policies.
Keep Halloween far from your remodel
Any kind of work being done on your home can be stressful and a little scary.
If you take the proper precautions and do your homework, your chances of having a nightmare situation on your hands will be lowered greatly!
Once you’ve found a contractor that has a great reputation, make sure he has adequate insurance, that he understands your vision, and that you’re communicating clearly.
Taking these steps will ensure that you don’t have an encounter with the remodeling Boogey-Man!
For help remodeling your home, contact your local experts Virginia Kitchen and Bath.
