Sometimes, choosing a contractor to remodel your home is the most difficult part. What should you look for in a remodelling contractor? Should you hire an architect or a design-build company? How do you decide? It takes effort to find the right contractor. We have put together some steps to help you make the process easier and ensure that you leave with the best possible experience. These six steps will help you choose the right contractor for your next home renovation in auckland.

Find out what you want and how you want to live.

You should not only know what your bathroom or kitchen will look like but also where you would like to expand or add living space. Conversing with your contractor about how you intend to live, work, and play in your home in five years, ten to fifteen years, or even your entire life is worth conversing with your contractor. Are you able to pass on your home to future generations? Are there any future health issues or physical requirements that your family members will have to accommodate? What is the flow between rooms? Are there any challenges you are currently facing in your home? Or do you have plans for the future?

It will help if you ask your contractor these personal questions: how they respond to your lifestyle, health, work habits, and family plans. This will ensure that you work with someone who will not disappoint you or cause you any major surprises after completing the project.

Choose the best delivery method for you.

When considering major home remodelling, it is important to understand the most popular delivery methods. Most homeowners begin by working with an architect to create a plan. Then, they start looking for a builder. This approach allows the homeowner to make decisions on almost every aspect of the home remodel and build process without the assistance of a contractor.

A more coordinated approach to remodelling can also save homeowners money, time and headaches. This is design-build remodelling. Design-build combines design and construction under one source of accountability. This allows homeowners and the design-build company to create a coherent project plan right from the beginning. All ideas are openly shared and evaluated according to the homeowner’s requirements, wants, timeline, and budget considerations. Everyone works together from the beginning to the end.

Ask friends and family for referrals.

Referrals from satisfied home remodelers are a great way to get glowing reviews. Ask your family, friends, neighbours, and any other acquaintances you know to recommend a contractor they would trust to remodel their home. Asking for recommendations can help narrow down your choices and also helps you decide which contractors to avoid. It would be best if you looked for someone with experience in your area or a specific skill set (e.g. someone who has worked on kitchen remodelling).

Check out their reviews.

Use your computer to review. Look for reviews that are not easily faked, such as Yelp, Google, and third-party customer satisfaction surveying services like GuildQuality. What do customers have to say about the company? Better yet, how does the contractor address complaints? You want someone who can provide references. Don’t be afraid to ask to see their projects or speak with past clients. This simple exercise will help you find the right contractor prospect.

Do Your Due Diligence

It’s a great way of narrowing your search. However, it would be best if you didn’t stop there. Take the time to look at their portfolio. Please pay close attention to project descriptions and compare them to your remodelling projects. You will better understand their work ethic, design innovation and ability to meet their clients’ needs by reviewing their home remodelling projects. If possible, check references and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and visit current job sites.