How Do I Find the Right Contractor for Me?
The answer to this question depends on what you value most: is it cost, quality, timeline, relationship with contractor?
Finding a residential construction team to partner with is not an easy endeavor. In fact, many find it to be a discouraging process. We recently shared a list of preliminary questions to ask yourself before meeting with contractors. This list is intended to help define what matters most to you in your renovation: is it cost, quality, a quick turnaround, the planning process, or the level of trust between you and your contractor? Today we are diving a bit deeper, giving insight into each of these categories and how to ask questions that will help you truly evaluate their values.
Is it cost?
There are very few of us who say cost is not a factor when approaching a project. However, when cost is the most important factor, it will be important to communicate this to companies you are considering partnering with.
Let’s say you are considering a Kitchen renovation and cost is driving your decision-making. When making initial contact with a professional, don’t be timid with your questions regarding budget. Keep in mind that when cost is the main criteria, you will sacrifice in other areas; a low-cost Kitchen renovation will not be a high-quality Kitchen renovation, just as a Starbucks cup of coffee is not the same quality as a cup of joe from 7-Eleven.
Here are a few questions to help guide your conversations with contractors:
What is the average price of similar renovations you have completed in the past 6 months?
Can you provide a detailed estimate? Request a comprehensive estimate that outlines all scopes of work and expenses involved in the project.
Are there any potential cost-saving measures you can suggest?
How do you handle changes or unforeseen circumstances?
Are there any ways to phase the project to spread out costs?
Will you be securing a building permit?
Are there any areas where I can assist to help reduce costs?
What is your payment schedule?
Can you provide references from previous clients who were satisfied with your pricing?
Is it quality?
Similarly, not many of us would seek out a company that has sub-par quality, and even fewer companies that boast providing lesser quality. This means you may not be able to probe this priority with questions alone. This may require preliminary research:
What is the quality of their website portfolio photos & videos?
Check online reviews and ratings from places like Google, Yelp, or Houzz.
When reading online reviews, how are people describing this contractor? Look for wording that speaks to quality (craftsmanship, communication, responsiveness, design, etc.)
Ask for personal recommendations from friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues who have recently completed renovations with this contractor or know someone who has.
Pay attention to how the contractor communicates with you during the initial inquiry and estimation process. Professionalism, responsiveness, and clear communication are indicative of their commitment to customer service and project success.
When a company’s value is quality, it will be apparent throughout the process.
Is it timeline?
‘As soon as possible’ is the most common answer to a client’s expectation regarding duration of construction. However, there are companies that excel in quick turnaround. If time of construction is the most important factor for you, it will be imperative to request contractual stipulations tied to the completion of the project. Let’s say the duration of construction is 6 months. You will want to incentivize for early completion and penalize for not meeting the deadline. Make sure this is clearly defined in the contract. Go ahead and discuss this expectation in the initial conversation.
Here are a few ideas to help guide your conversations with contractors and establish contractual stipulations to help ensure an ideal duration of your project:
Ask about the contractor's current workload and availability to start and complete your project within your desired timeframe.
Request to see a recent example of a detailed timeline outlining the start date, milestones, and completion date for each phase of the renovation.
Discuss factors that could potentially delay your project, such as weather conditions, material availability, or unforeseen issues, and how the contractor plans to mitigate these delays.
If the contractor uses subcontractors, inquire about their scheduling process and how they ensure timely coordination to prevent delays.
Include a timeline clause in the contract that clearly outlines the agreed-upon project timeline, specifying any penalties or consequences for delays beyond the agreed-upon timeframe.
Break down your payment schedule and tie it to the completion of specific milestones along the way. This incentivizes the contractor to adhere to the timeline and ensures you have leverage if deadlines are not met.
Include provisions for change orders. Specify how changes to the project scope will impact the timeline and budget. Require written approval for any changes that could impact the schedule.
Include a provision in the contract that mandates regular progress updates from the contractor, such as weekly or bi-weekly meetings or status reports.
Establish clear communication channels for addressing any concerns or issues that may arise during the project. This ensures that any potential delays can be promptly addressed and resolved.
Planning
If there are two values in contention with one another it would be Cost vs. Planning. While the other values do not exclude design, companies that value planning will most likely require design as an integral phase of planning a project, which will indeed increase cost though the return on this investment is not able to be measured until you have worked with a company that does not value planning of a project.
Here are a few questions to help guide your conversations with contractors:
Can you walk me through your design process? Ask the contractor to outline their approach to the planning and design phase, including how they gather client input, develop concepts, and finalize designs.
Do you offer in-house design services or work with external designers? Understand how this affects the design process and overall project coordination.
Can you provide examples of past projects with similar design aesthetics? Request to see portfolios or case studies of projects that align with your desired design style or vision. This helps assess the contractor's ability to execute designs that meet your preferences.
How do you handle revisions and design changes? Inquire about the contractor's flexibility and process for accommodating design revisions or changes throughout the planning phase. Understand any associated costs or implications for project timelines.
What is your approach to integrating functionality with design aesthetics? Discuss how the contractor balances functional requirements with aesthetic considerations to ensure the final design meets your practical needs and reflects your personal style.
Do you provide assistance with material and product selection? Ask whether the contractor offers guidance and recommendations for selecting materials, finishes, fixtures, and other design elements. Determine the level of support they provide in sourcing quality products within your budget.
How do you handle obtaining necessary permits and approvals? Inquire about the contractor's experience and process for obtaining permits and approvals from local authorities for the proposed renovation plans. Ensure they are familiar with the regulatory requirements in your area.
Can you provide references from clients who were satisfied with the design process? Request references from past clients who can speak to the contractor's proficiency in the planning and design phase, including communication, creativity, and attention to detail.
What is your communication strategy during the planning and design phase? Discuss how the contractor keeps clients informed and engaged throughout the planning and design process. Clarify communication channels, frequency of updates, and responsiveness to client inquiries.
How do you ensure alignment between the design vision and the final outcome? Ask about quality control measures and procedures the contractor employs to ensure that the finished renovation reflects the agreed-upon design specifications and meets client expectations.
Is it communication, connection, and relationship with contractor?
Can you walk me through your approach to working with clients? How do you engage with your clients throughout the renovation process, from initial consultation to project completion. Look for indicators of responsiveness, attentiveness, and a customer-centric focus.
How do you prioritize communication with clients? What are your communication channels, how frequently do you provide updates, and what is your turnaround time when responding to client inquiries or concerns?
What is your preferred method for resolving conflicts or addressing concerns? What is your approach to handling disagreements, issues, or unexpected challenges that may arise during the renovation. Look for a commitment to open dialogue and prompt resolution.
What are your company values? How are these values reflected in your work?
Are there any contractual stipulations that are very important to you?
How do you handle changes to the project scope or unexpected challenges? Discuss the contractor's flexibility and problem-solving approach when faced with changes to the project scope, unforeseen issues, or client requests. Look for a willingness to adapt and collaborate constructively.
What sets you apart from other contractors, and why should I trust you with my renovation project? Invite the contractor to highlight their unique strengths, values, and qualities that differentiate them from competitors and inspire confidence in their ability to deliver exceptional results.
If you’re interested in discussing your renovation project with us, contact the 5stone Construction team to get started! Click here to submit your information: https://5stoneconstruction.com/contact/
