Basements are a popular site for remodeling in the home, since they can add a lot of comfortable and useful living space. However, they do come with their own unique set of challenges which call for the skills of a true professional. When choosing a Pittsburgh basement remodeling contractor, homeowners should keep the following tips in mind.
The best place to start when searching for a contractor is to get recommendations. Asking people one knows if they can suggest someone is ideal, but there are others who may also be able to help out in this capacity, namely building inspectors, or staff at a lumberyard as they regularly deal with these professionals.
The customer should then call each company and ask them some basic questions. First of all one must find out if they do the type of remodeling in question, how busy they are, how many years have they been open, and if they are able to provide the names of several references. How they respond usually indicates their level of professionalism and can let the client know if they will be a good match.
Narrowing down the list of places that were called to about three or four that seem most promising should be the next step. It is essential that there be excellent communication between the contractor and the client as one major consideration. Checking these candidates out with the Better Business Bureau is recommended to ensure that they don't have a poor service record. Actually calling the references given is a must, or if possible, observing the contractor in action at a current work site can be even more helpful.
If those professionals being considered meet the above considerations, it's time for the customer to start discussing the actual basement renovation plans with them. The contractors should ask the client to provide a full set of blueprints and also an idea of the budget they have in mind. Customers should request a detailed price break-down from each of them to compare bids.
It's best to eliminate the lowball company from the list, if there is one, since a remarkably lower price can be a sign of either cutting corners in workmanship or materials or indicate that they are desperate for work. Generally, it is normal to pay about 10 percent down when signing the contract, followed by three installments of 25 percent, and the last 15 percent is typically paid when the customer is satisfied with the finished project.
The contract or agreement between contractor and client must indicate such terms as payment schedule, proof of insurance, materials to be used, and a start and finish date, and lien releases which removes liability from the customer in the event that the contractor owes money to workers or suppliers. This document clarifies just what is being done and paid for so there are no discrepancies.
Certain characteristics and actions can act as red flags when hiring a Pittsburgh basement remodeling company so it's important for homeowners to be aware of these. These include failure to provide proof of license and insurance, no fixed business number, references which cannot be verified, and those who are simply too pushy and forceful. Any of these traits indicate that it's best to avoid such a contractor.
The best place to start when searching for a contractor is to get recommendations. Asking people one knows if they can suggest someone is ideal, but there are others who may also be able to help out in this capacity, namely building inspectors, or staff at a lumberyard as they regularly deal with these professionals.
The customer should then call each company and ask them some basic questions. First of all one must find out if they do the type of remodeling in question, how busy they are, how many years have they been open, and if they are able to provide the names of several references. How they respond usually indicates their level of professionalism and can let the client know if they will be a good match.
Narrowing down the list of places that were called to about three or four that seem most promising should be the next step. It is essential that there be excellent communication between the contractor and the client as one major consideration. Checking these candidates out with the Better Business Bureau is recommended to ensure that they don't have a poor service record. Actually calling the references given is a must, or if possible, observing the contractor in action at a current work site can be even more helpful.
If those professionals being considered meet the above considerations, it's time for the customer to start discussing the actual basement renovation plans with them. The contractors should ask the client to provide a full set of blueprints and also an idea of the budget they have in mind. Customers should request a detailed price break-down from each of them to compare bids.
It's best to eliminate the lowball company from the list, if there is one, since a remarkably lower price can be a sign of either cutting corners in workmanship or materials or indicate that they are desperate for work. Generally, it is normal to pay about 10 percent down when signing the contract, followed by three installments of 25 percent, and the last 15 percent is typically paid when the customer is satisfied with the finished project.
The contract or agreement between contractor and client must indicate such terms as payment schedule, proof of insurance, materials to be used, and a start and finish date, and lien releases which removes liability from the customer in the event that the contractor owes money to workers or suppliers. This document clarifies just what is being done and paid for so there are no discrepancies.
Certain characteristics and actions can act as red flags when hiring a Pittsburgh basement remodeling company so it's important for homeowners to be aware of these. These include failure to provide proof of license and insurance, no fixed business number, references which cannot be verified, and those who are simply too pushy and forceful. Any of these traits indicate that it's best to avoid such a contractor.
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Check out www.sdcremodeling.com for a review of the advantages of hiring a Pittsburgh basement remodeling contractor, today. You can also get more information about an experienced contractor at http://www.sdcremodeling.com now.
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