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Here is a list of questions you might want to consider asking a prospective remodeler. Ask them all or select the ones you feel are most important to you.
Also see Questions to Ask References.
- Do they guarantee price and schedule?
- What is their warranty like?
- Are they properly and fully licensed to do what you want?
- What type of general liability insurance do they carry? How does their insurance protect you, the homeowner?
- Will they provide you with documentation of the licenses and insurance coverage?
- Do they carry workers compensation? Do their subcontractors?
- Do some of their subcontractors call themselves “independent contractors” when they really aren’t, to avoid workers compensation insurance?
- Do they handle all zoning variance issues, permits, inspections and licenses?
- Do they provide design/build services or just construction?
- What percentage of their work is subcontracted out?
- Are their people trained and experienced in working in occupied homes and know what to do to protect your home?
- Do they do the kind of work you are looking to have done?
- How many projects like yours have they done?
- How long have they been in business?
- How long has the owner been in the industry and in what capacities?
- Do they belong to credible industry or business organizations such as Remodeler’s Advantage Roundtables and GuildQuality, or local industry organizations such as the Home Builder’s Association of Metropolitan Denver, Building Performance Institute, Boulder Green Building Guild, Center for Resource Conservation, Better Business Bureau, and the Boulder Chamber of Commerce?
- Have they earned special industry certifications such as BPI Certified Building Analyst Professional given by the Building Performance Institute?
- What are the qualifications of the architects and designers they use?
- How do they assure that what they design can be built within your budget?
- Do they provide full turnkey services? If so, what does that include?
- How do they help you with product, color, materials, and other selections? Or do they help at all?
- Can you see photos of their work?
- Can they clearly describe the process they use for a smooth, successful project?
- How will communications be handled at each stage of the project?
- Do they have recent references?
- Do they have references from homeowners for whom they worked 5-10 years ago?
- In what specific ways do they stand behind their work? Do they offer a warranty?
- What is the experience and training of their staff?
- What percentage of the project manager’s time will be devoted to your project?
- Will they use subcontractors? If so, how long have they used these specific subcontractors? Are they fully licensed and insured?
- Do they build to meet code or do they build to exceed code? If so, in what ways?
- How do they figure and use ‘allowances?’
- How do they estimate their ‘allowances’ for things like tile, lights, appliances, etc.? Do they estimate them to allow you to buy low, medium, high, premium, or super-premium quality products and materials?
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For more information about how we can help you with your project, please contact us today.
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