Plus a contractor checklist to review before your next project…
We just wrapped up an extensive master bathroom remodel for a customer who had an unfortunate experience with a local contractor that was fraught with health issues and the contractor was ill-prepared and in way over his head as explained by the customer. A project that should have taken 10 weeks resulted in nearly 10 months of construction, disruption to their life, along with a lot of additional money and headaches. The sad truth is that we see this scenario often: Smart, educated homeowners who fall victim to contractors who promise big results—at a very small price.
But as with any misstep, there is a lesson to be learned. Here’s the project overview: The original contractor looked at the bathroom and provided a verbal quote—nothing in writing. The homeowners had to purchase the materials themselves; and about three weeks into the project, when the room was gutted and nothing was put back together, the homeowners realized they had made a big mistake.
This was no simple bathroom renovation job. It entailed relocating plumbing and electric, installing heated floor mats and an intricate tile pattern in the shower. Our team had to go in and clean up a mess. There were not enough materials on site, the electric was not to code (there had been no permits or inspections) and the tile installation was incorrect and incomplete. We started over from square one.
The first rule of thumb when hiring a contractor: If the deal sounds like it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Here is a checklist of items to keep in mind when hiring a contractor:
1. Understand the scope of work
Ask the contractor to explain what his/her work will entail so you can compare apples to apples
2. Ask to see the project drawings
Drawings or renderings will give you a clear idea of design and layout
3. Get a written quote
4. Do your homework
Check Angie’s List, the BBB, call the city—find out if there have been any complaints filed against the contractor
5. Ask for references
We have a lot of customers who are happy to talk to people about their experience and even to show the finished project in their homes
We all want to get the best value for our money. But when it comes to hiring a contractor, it’s best to take more time on the front end to make sure you’re getting what you expect. If a quote is significantly lower than the rest that should be a red flag: If we quote $50,000 for a remodel and another contractor comes in at $20,000 for the same job—that should prompt you to look twice. Do they have the same processes in place? The same capabilities?
At the end of the day, you hire a professional contractor for peace of mind. Don’t settle for anything less. If you would like to speak personally to this customer to hear how Dover created the bath of their desire and did it with excellence, feel free to call Dr. Ron & Trish Arndt at 440-552-8934.
The Best Is Yet To Come,
Beth Orr
