Know Your Contractor Before You Begin the Project
So, you’ve made the decision to add value to your home while creating additional space for you and or your entire family. You’re going to finally remodel that basement in your home, but where to start?
It all begins with finding deciding who will do the work, and this is where many people make the first misstep in the basement remodeling process. Why? Many homeowners think adding a little paint and carpet, tossing in some furniture and a flat screen TV will accomplish their goal of adding value to their home. But from a resale standpoint, this is often not enough to make the costs pay off.
Simply put, you need an experienced basement contractor. The process of hiring a basement contractor can make your basement renovations move along more smoothly than if you were doing the project on your own. Not only do they have the training in handling problems and in starting installation projects, but they also have the experience with anticipating any problems that you may not have even thought of. However, just as with any person that you hire, you need to choose someone that is right for you and for the work that you want done.
One of the initial things to consider when hiring a basement contractor is to remember that they must have the certification to back up their work. They should have completely verifiable licensing and certifications that they show you before the work begins, in fact before you ever sign a contract. Don’t let them tell you they need to get copies or they will mail them to you later on. When they give you their resume and list of qualifications, it’s up to you to check each of these sources to see if they’re legitimate, otherwise, you’re asking for trouble down the road and when it comes, you may not have the protections you need.
A solid basement contractor should also have the proper insurance to cover any problems that might come up during the completion of your basement remodeling project. They need to be covered for damages and losses that may occur while on the job, because if they aren’t, it’s going to fall on you as the homeowner. Ask your prospective contractors if they have ever had to make any claims during a job assignment and request proof of insurance and double check the terms of their policy before you agree to their services in order to know what is covered and what is not.
A good basement contractor will have a list of clients that are willing to give honest testimonials about work they’ve completed in the past. As for at least three to five references, and then call each one to inquire about what the job was and whether it was done to the customer’s complete satisfaction. If there were problems, ask the customer how the contractor resolved them. This last point is critical: if there was resistance on the part of the contractor toward requests to resolve issues, they likely are not a good choice.
You may also want to talk with your local Better Business Bureau to see what kind of record your prospective contractors may have and the terms of complaints from other clients that may be on file. A basement contractor without any history with the BBB is a positive signal you won’t have to anticipate any problems with that contractor down the road.
Choosing a basement contractor is the most important step in your basement remodeling process, but, as the homeowner, it’s up to you to do the footwork and make sure your contractor is reputable and fully qualified. You want your basement remodeling project to add value to your home and give you years of enjoyment. Don’t compromise those goals by skipping out on the steps to guaranteeing your project doesn’t turn into a financial nightmare.
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