Frequently Asked Questions

Making the Decision to Remodel
Listed below are valid reasons why you may want to consider a remodeling project now:
1. Remodel now while interest rates are low. Interest rates are at historic lows. Now is the perfect time to invest in home remodeling before rates increase again.
2. Homes need regular maintenance and repair to stay in top condition. Replace siding to fix drafts or repair the roof to stop leaks. Even simple repairs can drastically improve home performance.
3. Don’t neglect your home. Maintain and enhance the value of your home with maintenance and remodeling projects.
4. Remodeling improves home value. Smart remodels protect your greatest investment -- your home. Some of the best value adding remodels include replacing siding or adding a small bath.
5. Modernizing makes your home more beautiful. Updating your home makes it more comfortable and functional. Consider replacing cabinets, installing fixtures, painting, or switching to new appliances.
6. Green Remodeling saves homeowners money and provides earth-sustaining concepts. Saving resources can save you money and also provide a healthier home to live in. Remodels that improve home energy and water efficiency reduce bills; installing long-life products will save on future replacement expenses.
7. Attractive exteriors improve the curb appeal of your home. New siding, fresh paint, clean gutters, neat landscaping, and an intact roof improve the first impression of your home while increasing your home value and its sales potential.
8. Outdoor living spaces expand your home for entertaining. Join the popular trend of outdoor entertaining by adding a deck, patio, or porch to your home.
9. Kitchen remodels enhance functionality. Don’t wait to have the best kitchen with a new stove, granite countertops and refrigerator with an ice drawer. Contractors can also use good design to make your kitchen work better.
10. Bathroom remodels improve comfort and add home value. Create the refuge you need at the end of a busy day by replacing cabinets, installing a new sink or tub, or improving bathroom lighting. Add an additional bathroom to your home and it may increase its value by 20 percent.
11. Aging-in-place or universal design remodels increase home accessibility. Improve your home for accessibility by hiring a contractor knowledgeable with aging-in-place remodeling. Contractors have the expertise to make your home accessible for an aging or disabled person.
Making the Decision to Do-It-Yourself or Hire a Contractor Please consider the following advice before you make the choice to do-it-yourself.
Homeowner do-it-yourself (DIY) projects should be fun and should suit your skill level. If they’re not, then consider hiring a professional. Homeowners are cautioned not to take on more than they are capable of doing both in terms of time and skill. The biggest mistake the “weekend handyman” or “weekend handywoman” makes is to take on a project larger than he or she can handle in a reasonable amount of time.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, DIY projects account for 20 percent of all home remodeling performed nationwide. While there are a substantial number of weekend warriors out there, remodeling industry professionals report that between 25 and 30 percent of their work comes from fixing DIY catastrophes. While most professional remodelers understand that homeowners will do some of their own home repairs or small renovations, overwhelmingly, they believe that many jobs should be left to the pros. A good rule of thumb is that if a handyman service or handywoman service in your area can do the project, then odds are that a good do-it-yourselfer can do it themselves. If they won’t do it, then that’s a good sign that you need a professional.
Although doing renovations yourself may be less costly, don’t underestimate the value of a general contractor. General contractors are licensed professionals who serve as a single point of contact and manage all aspects of your remodeling project. This includes securing building permits, scheduling inspections, ordering building materials and scheduling and supervising all trades required to complete your project. The general contractor assumes full responsibility for the integrity of workmanship at all stages to ensure your project satisfies all state and local building codes in all phases. They also typically warranty workmanship for 2-5 years.
DIY ADVICE:
• Consider the worst case scenario and be prepared to handle it if it should arise.
• Get a detailed, illustrated home repair and maintenance book.
• There are certain types of work you should not handle yourself: electrical, plumbing, and major framing/roofing projects are a few. Health and safety should be the primary concern over cutting costs.
• Be sure to follow product directions; read everything that comes with the product and take it seriously.
• Conduct careful and thorough preparation; set everything up and protect surrounding surfaces and furniture.
• Practice with the tools.
• Follow safety procedures and use proper safety equipment.
• Don’t try to remove or deal with lead paint, asbestos or any other hazardous materials on your own. Hire a certified and licensed professional to handle this to minimize your exposure.
• If permits are necessary, consider hiring a contractor. They will handle procuring the required permits. Contractors are professionals in dealing with building departments and zoning regulations and will make sure that the job is properly operating within the law. The person who “pulls the permit” is considered liable for ensuring that all completed work complies with the state and local building codes, which would relieve you from the liability.
• Be aware of time restraints you may have to complete the project. If complications occur, you will need to have a reasonable amount of time to find a solution to complete the project.
Selecting a Contractor
Prior to selecting your contractor, it is recommended that you obtain three estimates for any remodeling work you are going to have done. Don’t necessarily hire the least expensive contractor. Obtain a thorough check on the contractor’s experience, references, and qualifications. Also, be sure that the contractors all have the same scope of work; the estimates should not be vague and should have adequate clarification of what is included in the bid. If you like the contractor and are confident with the contractor’s work, but the bid is beyond your budget, all hope is not lost. Ask the contractor what could be scaled down to meet your budget. Chances are it could very well be something simple, such as using quality-stock cabinets instead of custom-designed ones, or selecting a different type of tile, countertop or trim. Keep in mind that if a contractor comes highly recommended by a trusted source and you have met and talked with the contractor and feel comfortable with that contractor, additional estimates may not be necessary.
Questions to ask while interviewing contractors:

1. How long have you been in business? Look for a company with an established business history in your community. Surviving in any business in today's competitive marketplace is a difficult task. Most successful contractors are proud of their history in the industry.
2. Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job? Ask whom you should contact if the supervisor is not available. Get full names and contact phone numbers for all persons who will be involved in the project.
3. How do you operate? Does the company have employees or does the company hire subcontractors; if the company has employees, what are their job descriptions. Does the company have a project supervisor or lead carpenter to oversee the project. You should know what parts of your project will be handled by staff and what parts of your project will be contracted out to independent contractors.
4. What is your approach to a project of this scope? This will give you an idea of how the contractor works and what to expect during the project. Listen carefully to the answer. This is one of the big indicators of the company's work ethic.
5. What is the time frame for starting the project? Now is the time to ask questions about work schedules. You should ask: What is your estimate for completion? How early will your crew normally begin work and when will they normally end for the day? Who will contact me about delays or changes in the schedule? What methods do you use for communication; mail, email, cell phone, office phone, emergency phone?
6. Is your company a full-service company or specialty firm? If your project involves multiple changes, entire rooms or additions, you should consult a full-service contractor or a design-build firm.
7. Do you have design services available? If you are considering a large or involved project, you will need design services. If the contractor does not have design-build capabilities, you should consider hiring an architect. Depending on the size and scope of the project, you may need an architect or structural engineer.
8. Does your company carry workers compensation and liability insurance? Ask for copies of the insurance certificates to verify coverage. In addition, ask for your contractor's license and bond information, then confirm the license number and expiration date with the Contractor’s State License Board. Also ask if the company is EPA-certified to work on your house if it has lead present.
9. May I have a list of references for projects you have completed which are similar to mine? The contractor should be able to supply you with a minimum of three references which should include names, telephone numbers and addresses. As a follow up to this question, ask how long ago the project was completed and if the contractor can arrange a visit to see the finished job. You can also ask for professional references from suppliers, financial institutions or subcontractors to verify sound business practices.
10. What percentage of your company’s projects come from repeat or referral business? This will give you a good indication about the company's customer satisfaction. According to research conducted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (“NARI”), most remodeling businesses attribute over 50 percent of their annual volume to customer referrals; some even claim up to 90 percent or more of their total annual sales.
11. How many projects does your company have going at once? This will help you determine how available the contractor will be during your project.
12. How many projects like mine has your company completed in the past 12 months? This will help you determine the contractor's familiarity with your type of project. You should confirm that a good portion of those completed projects are similar to the type of project you are proposing.
13. Will we need a permit for this project? Most cities and towns require permits for building projects. Failure to obtain the necessary permits or to arrange obligatory inspections can be illegal. In some cases, if a project violates a zoning law or some other regulations, it may even have to be demolished if there is no way to comply with the law. A qualified contractor should be conscious of the permit process and ensure that all permits have been obtained before initiating any work.
14. What type of warranty or guarantee do you offer on your work? A warranty is only as good as the company backing it. Once you are confident the contractor has a proven track record of quality and service then it’s time to discuss the details of the project. Some things to consider: How does the company handle their invoicing? What type of payment methods does the company accept? What is the company’s procedure for change orders?
15. Do I feel comfortable with and trust the contractor I am about to hire? The most important question during your interview process is a question you should ask yourself. Your answer to this last question should make the hiring decision a little easier. As with most job applicants the decision may very well come down to feeling comfortable with the contractor and being able to communicate. Because the contractor will be spending many hours in your home, it’s important you feel comfortable with the contractor from the very beginning. You should be able to work with the contractor to combine your ideas with the contractor’s expertise to turn your vision into a final product. By selecting a professional contractor that you are able to communicate your expectations and concerns with you should have a pleasant experience throughout the process of making your dreams a reality.