Case Study: My Experience With
Some people find it easy to choose a kitchen or bath renovation company, but for others that seem genuinely impossible. This is often because there are so many companies available these days, most of them with slick websites and results-oriented ads. If you’ve already found the perfect company for your project, congratulations! Do you owe it to yourself to take a closer look at some other designers on the market? Probably not. That being said, there are some key things you should keep in mind when shopping around for renovation companies:
Make sure they have lots of experience with your particular project. There is too much room for error if they’re new to working with granite counter tops or shower tubs instead of cement and tile work. Additionally, make sure they have a solid reputation in your area. If you live in a busy town, then finding them can be easy, but if you live in the middle of nowhere, it’ll be harder to find reputable companies.
Ask for references from previous clients. If they compiled files that showcase their work and detailed how pleased the homeowners were with each project completed, this is a major plus. Again, don’t try to get everything done at once with your renovation company; take each room in turn and make sure all aspects are going smoothly.
Find out how they handle the process of having their workers clean up at the end of each day. If they only charge a flat rate, how do you know how much it really costs to have workers come and go? Also, ask for a refund if you’re not satisfied with their work. If they say that’s not possible, then you should look for a different company. If you still want to go through with your renovation, ask for a discount in exchange for a more thorough review at the end of your contract.
Find out what kinds of payments the company will take from the homeowner before starting any work and make sure that is acceptable to you. Cash is always easiest, but as long as you are both happy with the plan for payment, there’s nothing wrong with paying on account. Besides, make sure you trust your renovation company; this is a huge investment and if you don’t trust the people who are putting in your luxury materials, then you’re better off getting someone else to do it.
Be cautious of companies who have wildly different prices during the sales cycle. If you’re stuck in a renovation project that doesn’t seem to be going well, it’s easy to get frustrated and simply pay whatever price the salesman is offering. But if you want honest prices with no hidden fees, you need to stick with companies that offer a fixed price for the whole job. *
Research the companies that deal directly with your contractors so you can be sure they’re reliable. If yours is still considered a small company, then it may not have as much financial stability. You’ll also want to get references from competitors so you know who else has had bad experiences with this company.