Four Home Remodeling Tips

Its no secret that the real estate market is slow right now. Alot of homeowners unfortunately are unable to sell their current home and “upgrade”. Many property owners have now decided to remodel. Many homeowners (and condo owners) are thinking of remodeling more so now than ever. Not only will this increase the value of your home (if not now, it will later), but sometimes its nice to have a change in your living quarters. However, unless you have the means to do all of the work yourself, you’ll most likely require the services of a local home improvement contractor. Your project could very well costs a few thousand dollars depending on what you plan on remodeling. We will essentially be investing a lot of money into this project, so its necessary to select the right contractor the first time.

The majority of contractors provide quality craftsmanship in all of their remodel projects, however others may lack the needed skills and expertise to see your project to completion. Inexperienced or “hungry” contractors could possibly attempt to sell you additional services or building materials you do not need. The worst part? They may not be financially able to correct any problems or resolve any issues should they come up. Often times a company such as this is even unwilling to settle the issues. This article will attempt to guide you along the way of choosing your remodeling contractor.

1. Do your research

One of the first steps one should take when selecting a contractor is to research your home remodeling project. It helps to know as much as possible about what the job entails, the required materials, and the step/s that should be taken to complete the project from start to finish. The internet is a great resource. There are tons of websites and free information for you to search. Use your favorite search engine (I prefer Google) to search for more information on the exact type of project you are working on. There is tons of free information on websites for you to research.

2. Building Permits

Most contractors will handle this aspect of the remodel for you. However its wise to contact your local building department to find out the exact information you will need. Find out what is required of you to legally obtain and post building permits. Its always better to be safe rather than sorry.

3. Insurance

In the unlikely even that something should happen during your project, you should talk with your insurance agent about your coverage during the project. Before you start, its wise to take a close look at your policy to insure that your covered for water damage, theft, weather, and other types of insurance. Most policies will only cover the the costs of the materials, so be advised to make your contractor liable for all material and products during that this time. Its important for you to be insured for the construction costs before any major renovation takes place. Make sure your home is insured to value.

There are many risks involved when hiring a general contractor. Worker’s compensation and general contractor liability insurance are important items to discuss with your insurance agent and see if these items will benefit you and your home in the form of protection. Always check to make sure your remodeling contractor has general liability insurance and that its current.

Follow these simple steps and your home remodeling project will most likely be a success.