Remodeling your bathroom, or any other part of your home, can be daunting. The key to success is finding the right construction company to do the work. A good one can handle every aspect of the project, taking away the stress and worry you might otherwise experience. A bad contractor can turn even a small project into a nightmare.
But how do you find the good ones? Here are some questions you should ask any remodeler before you hire them, and what they should be saying to gain your confidence.
How Long Has Your Company Specialized in Bathroom Remodeling?
Being a new company doesn’t mean that the contractor will do a bad job. Even the best companies had to start somewhere. What you are looking for is honesty and some experience in projects similar to yours.
A company that doesn’t tell the truth here is one you need to walk away from. If they have little experience as a business, check the work they have done and see if it matches your expectations. The safest option for you is a company with extensive experience in bathroom remodeling projects and a long track record of successful completions.
How Much Experience Do You Have With Projects Like Mine?
This can sound like you are repeating the same question, but it is different. If someone has a lot of experience in fitting new vanities, and you want a steam shower conversion, then that bathroom remodeling experience is not that helpful.
Think about what you want from your bathroom remodel, the scope of the work, and any special additions such as a steam shower, natural stone tiling, or a layout change. You are looking for a remodeler who has experience in those important tasks.
Can You Show Me Examples of Recent Bathroom Remodels?
Every bathroom remodeler should have a portfolio of completed projects that they are proud to show you. Use these to get an idea of the kind of work they provide; you are looking for high-quality finishes that show an attention to detail.
If a contractor cannot, or will not, show you examples of their work, walk away.\
Can You Provide References From Previous Clients?
This is another way to show what their work will be like. Any good contractor will be happy to provide references from previous clients. Great contractors will be proud of their previous work and the service provided.
As with portfolios, if a contractor doesn’t, or cannot, give you references, it’s time to choose someone else.
Are you licensed and insured in NJ?
A state contractor license is essential; if they don’t have one, they may not be a legitimate remodeling business. Proof of insurance is also a basic requirement; it is your home they will be working in, and you must be protected if anything goes wrong.
What Exactly Is Included in the Remodeling Project?
You know what you want, but is that what they are offering? Get everything in writing. The scope of the work, the materials such as tile brand, type, and pattern, and the color and size of a vanity. All this matters, and if it’s not in their quote, you will be paying extra to make it happen.
Do You Provide an Itemized Proposal?
The answer here should be yes. Our goal with any remodeling project is to minimize any issues, and having an itemized proposal lays out everything included in the project. This way, all parties know what is expected, lowering the chance of disagreements or requests for more money later on.
What Materials and Fixtures Are Included?
You always need to be very clear on what you are paying for. Not just to make sure that the project is going to be what you imagined, but because you need to know the cost of everything before you start. You don’t want to get halfway through and suddenly be landed with an additional bill for thousands of dollars for your tiles.
One upfront price that includes everything needed to complete the project. If anything else is offered, look elsewhere.
How Do You Handle Changes to the Project?
While the goal is to get everything lined up and settled before work begins, sometimes changes to a project during the work become impossible to avoid. In older homes, this could be piping or framing issues that were hidden until demolition began, or a specific tile becomes unavailable. How these changes are handled is important.
A great contractor will include some level of contingency cost in their quote, and also provide a full, upfront quote for the additional work before anything is done. A bad contractor won’t have an answer or suggest that we’ll work it out if it happens. You need a contractor with a plan for your project to run well.
Do You Handle Permits and Inspections in NJ?
Most bathroom remodeling will require permitting, and many will also need inspections. If you try to do this yourself when unfamiliar with the processes, it is time-consuming, frustrating, and stressful. You want a contractor that handles these things for you; it just makes your life easier, and because they have experience in dealing with them, it is often a much faster process.
How Long Will the Bathroom Remodel Take?
Your remodeler should be able to give you an accurate timeline for the project. Depending on the scope, it could be anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks, with permitting often the longest part of the process.
If a contractor is vague about timelines, or doesn’t provide one at all, this should be a sign to look for someone else.
Who Will Manage My Project?
Depending on the scope of the project, you may need a project manager on site for significant portions of it. In general, even for small projects, you should have one contact who runs the project and is available to answer any questions or deal with any issues that come up.
The red flag is if there is no single project manager for you to talk to.
How Will You Protect Your Home During Construction?
A bathroom remodel should create a beautiful new space for you to enjoy, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of the rest of your home. Great contractors will take measures to protect floors, walls, and furniture between the bathroom and the exit, so that nothing is damaged during the process.
What you are looking for here is that the remodeler has a plan and that it is clear they have thought about this part of the project. If they are not clear, or clearly don’t have any plan, it is a cause for concern.
How Will Cleanup and Debris Removal Be Handled?
As with protection, your remodeler should have a plan for demolition. This should include getting the old tub, vanity, and debris out of your home safely, as well as transport for disposal. This includes where to locate the roll-off dumpster and other considerations.
What you are looking for here, once again, is a plan, a sign that this has been thought about and included in their overall process.
What Is the Payment Schedule?
This does vary between contractors, but you should never be paying more than 20-25% upfront. There should be defined milestones for scheduled payments too; for instance, after demolition is complete, a further 25%.
If you are asked for more upfront, or there are no set payment schedules, it is a red flag for that contractor.
What Warranty Do You Provide?
There are two aspects to this. The remodeler should offer a warranty on their workmanship, usually a 1-year warranty for labor. Second is the manufacturer warranties for materials and fittings. They should be passed on to you by your remodeler.
Be wary of any contractor that does not offer warranties, or asks for a fee for manufacturer warranties.
What Happens If Something Goes Wrong After Completion?
A defined process for any issues you may have just makes life a lot easier. Your contractor should have a number or person to talk to, and a process in place to deal with such problems.
A warning sign is if they cannot provide any sort of answer, and if that happens, look for a different remodeler.
What Should You Review Before Signing a Bathroom Remodeling Contract?
Before signing a contract, there are several things to check. Beginning with the legal requirements, your contract should show the contractor’s HIC registration number and their specialized trade licenses for plumbing and electrical work, if required; a copy of their liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000; your 3-day cancellation rights; and the payment schedule.
After that, there should be details of who is responsible for permits and inspections, an itemized materials list, and the process for any change orders.
