Finding the right remodeler to handle your big project can be a whole hassle in itself. Costing and budgeting, planning and design, building and execution: There’s a tremendous amount of stuff to sift through to find a remodeler you can trust.

Fortunately for you, KBR Buildings Inc has you covered. With our years of experience in the remodeling industry, we’ve come to understand a thing or two about what you want in a professional contractor, and what you should ask about to find the best one for you.

Here are our top tips to help you choose the right remodeling contractor for your next big project.

Assess Their Credentials

First things first.

You need to make sure your contractor is certified. You need to make sure they’re qualified, and that they’re trustworthy. To do that, double-check their credentials. Make sure they are:

  • Licensed
  • Insured
  • Bonded

Don’t be afraid to ask your contractor about their licensing and qualification. Depending on your location, your contractor might be required to carry state or municipal certification.

At KBR Buildings Inc, we make sure our qualifications are up to date and ready at hand, so our clients always feel confident in our hands. If you find a contractor who starts getting squirrelly the second you ask for credentials, it may be time to start looking elsewhere.

Check Their References

Finding a qualified contractor is just the first step.

The next item on your to-do list?

Check that your contractor has a solid work history. Most contractors should have a list of references—previous clients who can attest to the quality of their services. Ask your contractor for such a list of references. Then, follow up. Contact those references by phone or email to ensure they were happy with their choice of contractor.

Here are some sample questions you can ask a contractor’s references:

  • What kind of work did the contractor do for you?
  • Did the contractor provide an estimate? Did they stay on budget?
  • If the contractor didn’t stay on budget, why not? Did they inform you ahead of time?
  • Did the contractor finish the job on time?
  • Did they hire subcontractors? Were you happy with those subcontractors?
  • Would you hire this contractor again?

If you don’t feel comfortable contacting references—or you need a bit more verification—you may want to look at online reviews.

Online reviews are a great way to get immediate feedback about a service provider. That said, watch out for fake reviews, which can help or harm a business’s online rating. Some companies will solicit fake reviews to artificially inflate their reputation, making them look better than they really are. Meanwhile, others can fall victim to angry competitors, who may leave fake reviews to sabotage their online reputation.

When looking at your contractor’s reviews, be sure to read through them to see if they’re genuine or not. It’s usually pretty easy to tell.

Here are some of the most popular review platforms for contractors:

Examine Your Contractor’s Portfolio

They say a picture’s worth a thousand words—and that’s no less true when it comes to choosing a contractor.

Before hiring a contractor, be prepared to ask for their portfolio. Some might have it on their website, but others might have a physical copy for you to look at. Either way, their portfolio will give you a clear, concrete idea of what their work looks like, and what to expect from them.

At KBR Builders Inc, we upload photos of major projects to our website portfolio, regularly updating it with our latest work. That way, new and return clients can always see what we’re up to and judge the quality of our work for themselves.

Seek Out Bids

For larger, more costly construction projects, you may want to seek out bids from nearby contractors.

This isn’t as complicated as you might think. Contact each contractor, and ask them to put a bid on your project. They’ll likely want to know more about the project, so give as much detail as you can and be ready to answer any questions they have.

From there, the contractor should be able to give you a concrete idea of what to expect from their services, including a breakdown of the costs and timeline. Bids can either be fixed-price or an estimate.

After soliciting bids, you should have a better sense of which contractor you feel comfortable with and who can work within your budget. A word of caution, though: Don’t always go for the lowest bid. Hiring a remodeler is one of those things where there’s a direct relationship between the price you pay and the quality you get. You don’t want to skimp. After all, you’ll have to live with the results. As Benjamin Franklin said: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”

Interview Your Contractor

During the bidding process, you’ll likely want to ask your contractor some questions, not only to get to know them, but also to understand their work process and to know they’ll do the job right.

Here are a few questions you can ask a prospective contractor:

  • Have you done remodels like this before?
  • Are you licensed?
  • Do you carry workers’ compensation insurance?
  • Will you hire sub-contractors for the project?
  • What is your timeline for the project?
  • How do you deal with unforeseen costs?
  • Will we get a written contract?
  • Can I get a list of past clients?
  • What warranty do you offer on your work?

Request It in Writing

Last but not least: Make sure you get your contract in writing. The contract is a legally binding document detailing the agreement between you and the contractor. Always, always ask for a written contract so you can refer back to it throughout construction.

Looking for a Reputable Remodeling Contractor in Central New Jersey?

Look No Further Than KBR Builders Inc.

Are you looking for a reliable and reputable remodeler in the Jersey Shore-Central New Jersey Area? Then look no further. KBR Builders Inc is the leading local remodeling contractor specializing in luxury design-build solutions. From high-end kitchen designs to state-of-the-art bathroom builds, our services have all your bases covered. For the best in the business, you need KBR Builders Inc.

Discover what we can do for your next project. Call us at (732) 664-2557 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

Visit our portfolio to see the quality of our work for yourself.