Remodeling a part of your home you’ve wanted to change for years is an exciting undertaking, until you get down to some of the details. Make the job a little less stressful by knowing what to expect before you dive into a remodel. Here’s what you should know.
Find the right contractor
Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions, ask for sample photos, check references, and do a thorough background check on the company for licensing, insurance, and Better Business Bureau ratings. Find a contractor who is honest and upfront, but also someone who shares and understands your vision, and who you can see yourself working alongside for a long time.
Plan for the job to take a lot of time
Any good contractor will give you a time estimate before the job begins, and they should be willing to put in long hours each day in order to get the job done in a timely manner. However, you should know that it might take a lot longer than expected, especially if it is a larger renovation. With bathroom renovations, for example, the plumber may find that some of your pipes are not up to code, resulting in some necessary repiping that extends the total time on the job.
Negotiate a good contract
Make sure that you have all of the details of the job in writing, including an estimate of price of materials, the cost of labor, a payment schedule, start and end dates (estimated), and a procedure in mind should there be any sudden changes. Make sure you put any sudden on-site changes in writing as well, perhaps in an email to the contractor.
Don’t skip the small stuff
You should have a complete plan for the renovation or remodel before it begins, and this means the smallest of details should be considered ahead of time. You don’t want to be toward the end of a kitchen remodel, for example, before finally realizing that you wanted more lighting, or that you were hoping for the stove to be in a slightly different position. Keep your contractors informed if you change your mind!
Contact the friendly people at AGA Construction, Inc. for remodeling services from licensed and bonded contractors in Los Angeles!
