Hiring a remodeling contractor for an apartment building can be quite intimidating. After all, at times it may seem like there’re as many choices out there as there are terror stories. The real question, however, is, how do you sort through what’s available to find the right fit for your remodel? One of the best ways to do that is to ask some specific questions before hiring anyone. These questions will help you make sure that you’re hiring the right contractor for your needs.
One of the first things to ask any remodeling contractor is how long they’ve been in business. Be especially wary of any contractors who have only recently opened their doors. There’s a good chance that this is a scam and that they don’t really know what they’re doing. You might also want to ask them if they’re licensed to do work in your city or county. It’s not only a sign of a reputable contractor, but also of a reliable one.
When hiring a contractor, also ask them what they plan to do for your home. For instance, are they going to remove existing carpeting, replace it with hardwood floors, or perhaps even install a state of the art kitchen? Be sure that any contractor you hire plans on doing a thorough job. A good contractor should have no problem at all, describing the work they plan on doing, and should be willing to tell you all of the details about their work so that you can look it over yourself.
If you haven’t hired a contractor yet, it’s important to ask how long they plan on staying in your home. Some people like to have a contractor stay for just a few days, while others like to hire them for an entire week. The reason for this is simply because you don’t want a contractor taking up residence in your home before they complete their job. Also, if you’ve found a few contractors online, make sure to schedule a visit to the homes they’ve listed in your area. Ask them about the work that has been done, as well as how soon you can expect the job to be finished.
Before hiring a remodeling contractor, you should look over their portfolio. What kind of projects do they have completed recently? Has the contractor worked on any large scale projects before? If you get a portfolio that is impressive, but doesn’t show you any references, don’t immediately hire the person. Instead, ask around and find out whether there are any good contractors in your area that would be more than happy to provide you with references and a portfolio.
Once you’ve hired a remodeling contractor, they should start coming in to do some basic remodeling work. This could include replacing some cabinet doors, changing the light fixtures in the kitchen or bathroom, putting in new flooring down, and even putting in new carpet. The goal isn’t to tear everything out and start from scratch. The goal should be to make your home looking like it was just remodeled, without having to tear and rebuild everything.