How to Hire a Professional Remodeler

May is National Home Remodeling Month! If you’ve collected photos of your dream kitchen, drafted a general budget and talked with friends about how you wish your home was more comfortable or modern, you may be ready to hire a professional remodeler to get the job done right. Read on for some helpful tips to guide you in finding the best remodeler for your project. 

“Do your homework when hiring a professional remodeler,” recommends Greater Iowa City Area HBA Remodelers Council Chair Brad Storck of Bachmeier Carpet One Floor & Home. “A professional has training, experience and references from satisfied clients to demonstrate their remodeling expertise.”

Consider these steps for hiring a professional remodeler:

Step 1: Collect names of remodeling companies.
Start by going to the membership directory page on this website. There, you’ll see a “Select a Category” drop down. Select “Remodeling Contractors” to get a list of reputable, insured area remodelers. You also can ask friends and neighbors for names of qualified remodelers to help you find a match for your project.

Step 2: Discuss your project with a couple remodelers.
Call a few remodelers from your list to discuss your needs. Describe what you envision for the home remodel, styles you like, your estimated budget and other ideas for the remodeling work. Ask the remodeler if they can provide background information on their expertise. They may have a website or brochure they can share that describes their experience and accomplishments.

Step 3: Ask lots of questions.
Be sure to ask some important questions about the remodeler’s business to ensure you hire the best professional. Does the remodeler have general liability insurance – again, all Greater Iowa City Area HBA remodelers do – in case of an accident on the job? Do they guarantee their work? How do they handle any problems that may arise on the project? Having these answers in advance will prevent future problems and nail down the best professional remodeler for the job.

Step 4: Check the references and background of the remodeler.
After you start speaking with remodelers and find one or two who match your project’s needs, be sure to conduct some background research by checking with the Better Business Bureau, talking to their references and asking if they’re in a national trade association. Remodelers with these qualities tend to be more reliable, better educated and more likely to stay on top of construction and design trends. All Greater Iowa City Area HBA remodelers are automatically part of the Home Builders Association of Iowa and the National Association of Home Builders.

Step 5: Don’t fall for the lowest bidder.
Many people may be lured by the lowest price to their remodeling project, thinking that they have found a great deal. But beware of these alluring low prices. These bids may be more costly in the end if the contractor is cutting corners, not accounting for certain costs, or is inexperienced. Professional remodelers have stories about coming into homes to fix remodels from unscrupulous contractors who did shoddy work or failed to complete the job. Often the lowest price may not ultimately provide the best value for your home remodel.

Make the smartest investment in your home by hiring a professional remodeler. They’ll help you stay on budget, solve remodeling challenges and provide a higher-quality service.