If you are a homeowner and you are considering hiring a contractor in Phoenix for something like a kitchen or bathroom remodel, you’ll need to ask your contractor these 9 questions.
Arguing with a contractor can cause extreme stress. Asking these questions beforehand will reduce your risks and headaches...
Phoenix Homeowners: You Can Get the Dream Space You’ll Enjoy And Be Proud Of, While Also Reducing The Contractor Nightmares
Avoid the stress and make sure to review these questions with your remodeling contractor:
#1) Are you a licensed contractor?
Arizona requires home remodelers to be a licensed contractor. Licensed contractors go through specific training and certification.
If you hire an unlicensed contractor you are taking significant risks, including that you will be subject to a lawsuit, as well as the potential that any implied warranties afforded by Arizona state law will be void.
You don’t want someone who is not licensed to work on your home because you don’t know their workmanship or skill level since they have not gone through the proper examination or review to obtain their contractor license.
Some homeowners may consider it to save money, but the repercussions are too dangerous.
#2) Can I get an agreement in writing?
If they aren’t willing to provide an agreement or contract to you then they are either rookies or are hiding something.
BY ARIZONA LAW: Projects over $1000 require an agreement
You want to work with a company that spells everything out. An agreement is there to protect you and the contractor. In theory it should be considered more like an agreement where things are out on the table so there is less chance of confusion down the road.
#3) How much of a deposit do I put down and what is the payment schedule?
As the BBB and we advise, you should never pay for the full amount of the project upfront.
Some remodeling contractors may try and charge the full project amount upfront but don't let them. You want the contractor to have skin in the game and work for their money.
If a contractor asks for the full amount or a deposit of 50% or more than you need to run.
#4) How should I normally get in touch with you?
This is an important question because some remodelers don’t like to be contacted by the 3 main contact channels. Email, call or text.
This is a good way to also see if they appear to be willing to receive multiple communications from you. Some contracts don’t want to hear from the homeowner.
You want to make sure the home remodeling company is available for you and don’t ignoring you. If you find out which forms of communications they prefer upfront, they can’t later say something like “oh I never check my email/text”.
#5) Will I have a dedicated contact or team working on my job?
You don’t want to get passed around like a hot potato. We have heard horror stories of homeowners getting passed around and when something went wrong they all pointed the blame to other people and no one will pick up the phone.
You need to know who your contact person is and you want to show them that it is important for them to keep you updated on progress and not "pass the buck" to others.
#6) Does your company provide a warranty?
Many bathroom and kitchen remodeling companies do not provide a warranty. For those that do the average is 6-12 months.
You want to work with a company that is proud of their workmanship and can back it up with a warranty.
You’ll want to have the piece of mind that if you call with something down the road, they are willing to help.
We offer a 2 year guarantee on both our products and workmanship.
You’ll want to have the piece of mind that if you call with something down the road, they are willing to help.
We offer a 1 year guarantee on both our products and workmanship.
#7) Is there anything you do to protect my home and keep it clean?
This one really bugs homeowners for good reason. Some remodelers make a mess of not only the rooms being remodeled but other rooms in the vicinity.
Asking this question also shows them that it is important to you and hopefully they will do the right things to keep your home clean.
You will want to ask them or suggest plastic runners for any carpeted areas. This way they don’t doesn’t ruin your carpet. Many remodelers try to save money by not purchasing them. You want a kitchen and bathroom remodeler in Phoenix that will respect you and your home.
#8) Where will the remodeling tools and supplies be stored?
It can be tough for remodelers to keep their tools in a safe place. It is always a best practice for the remodelers to keep all tools within the room or area where the construction is going on.
If you have kids, you don’t want the equipment or their chemicals and supplies near your children. They obviously have to be stored somewhere so the construction area is a good place, as long as you block off that area to children.
You don’t want to work with a company that doesn’t consider these types of safety hazards.
Phoenix Home Remodeling has a company culture that embodies integrity, safety and ensuring we do what we say we’ll do. CLICK HERE to learn more about us and our company core values.
#9) If I want to add something to my remodel or a surprise occurs, how is it handled?
If a surprise comes up, some contractors won’t say anything until the job is complete. That means you are getting a surprise bill at the end. It is always best for everyone to have the contractor let the homeowner know right away
If there is an unforeseen issue or the homeowner wants to make a change to the specifications of the project, then the contractor should provide the homeowner with a change order form. It simply states what has been added or removed and how the cost changed.