Decide on the budget upfront, before soliciting detailed proposals from designers and contractors. Not only does this provide valuable guidance to the designer in determining what can and can’t be done, but it allows the homeowner to choose the best contractor who can deliver the job within budget, not necessarily the least expensive one.
Once a homeowner has conducted initial checks to ensure a contractor is licensed and adequately insured, Jeff Kann, co-owner of San Francisco-based HouseWorks, believes there are three steps to selecting the right one.
Check references. Homeowners need to call and talk with past and current clients, but reference checking goes beyond that. “It’s important to ask your contractor what industry groups or entities they’re affiliated with,” advises Mr. Kann. “The things to look for are continuing education and how they stay abreast of changes and trends in the industry. Some good examples are the National Association of Remodeling Industry and Green Building. These are two organizations of professionally minded contractors. Also, look at what awards and certifications they’ve received.”
Review the estimate. Look for a level of detail and specification that demonstrates the contractor has a clear understanding of your project. Watch out for allowances that have been made to cover aspects of the project that haven’t been fully scoped out. A detailed and thorough estimate will have few allowances and will help militate against changes and cost overruns once construction begins.
Be sure to explain your exact vision to the designer. Don’t be afraid to show drawings you’ve made or clippings from catalogs of fixtures and products you like. The designer may recommend something different, but knowing what you expect out of the job is an important professional element.
Visit a current jobsite. Look at how the site is organized and supervised. If the homeowner knows something about construction, they can judge the quality of the work being performed, but that’s not essential. Ask basic questions. Is the owner’s property secured and protected? Are the tools organized? Are there staging areas set up for materials? Is the site clean? Is dust protection being employed? Who’s supervising the job site? Is the foreman present? Is the project manager available?
