How Do You Choose the Right Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeler?

Congratulations, you have finally decided to have your kitchen and bathroom remodeled. Perhaps you’re renovating a huge part of your home or thinking about an addition to your existing spaces. Either way, you’re investing a significant amount of money to have these rooms modified exactly the way you have envisioned for quite some time.

If you’re planning to start your project soon, you probably have just as many questions as you do ideas and aspirations. Your remodeling project can be lengthy and stressful, regardless of its size. But if you hire the right professionals for the job, you’re more likely to have peace of mind and an overall outstanding outcome when all is said and done. Kitchen and bathroom remodels require a lot of experience, expertise and commitment—and believe us when we say the right professional can definitely deliver.

Wondering where and how you can find the right contractor for the job?  You’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help you better understand the role of your chosen contractor for a project as extensive as a kitchen and bathroom remodel. We’ll also list some important tips to guide you in your selection process.

The Real Value of Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels

Perhaps one of the best reasons to remodel the kitchen and bathroom is to increase the home’s value. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling are very popular home improvement projects among American homeowners because of their ability to boost property values significantly. In fact, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2018 Cost Vs. Value Report, the average recovery rate of kitchen remodeling projects range from 54% to 81%, depending on their size. Bathroom remodeling projects, on the other hand, have an average recovery rate of 56% to 70%.

Even if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon, or if increasing your home’s resale value is not your primary objective for remodeling, there are still quite a number of other benefits that you can enjoy, such as:

• A larger space tends to help enhance comfort and relaxation;

• Better lighting in the bathroom and kitchen can improve ambiance; and

• Utilizing smart technologies and installing efficient fixtures and appliances help improve efficiency and safety.

Why Hire a Professional Remodeler vs. DIY?

DIY home remodeling is a huge trend today, thanks to the thousands of blogs, articles and videos online devoted to the topic. Among the benefits of doing your own upgrades, cost savings is probably the most significant, although there are actually more benefits to hiring an expert remodeling contractor than you can imagine.

While there are certainly home improvement projects you can tackle on your own, kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects require the skills and expertise of an expert. Remember the total cost of investing in these upgrades can be quite significant and, naturally, you’ll want your project to be a success: which is why hiring a pro is essential.

Professional remodelers bring a wealth of remodeling ideas with them, helping make sure your remodel turns out exactly the way you want it to. Plus, they are equipped with the right tools and materials to simplify the process while giving your property a huge boost in value. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits you can expect by working with a professional:

• You Save Time. Unless you have a remarkable amount of experience and training in construction, attempting to take on something as huge as a kitchen and bath remodel by yourself will certainly take longer than it would if you chose to work with an expert. Professional contractors have the necessary tools, materials and knowledge to ensure the success of your remodel and its completion in the shortest time possible.

• You Save Money in the Long Run. Taking the DIY route or choosing a remodeler based on the cheapest price possible could lead to more expenses later on. For instance, poor remodeling quality can result in future repairs that require the services of a real professional to fix. In addition, surprise charges can cause you to rack up your expenses pretty easily if you don’t have a well-planned and comprehensive budget plan up front.

On the other hand, the extra cost of initially hiring a professional remodeler will pay for itself in terms of the satisfaction you will get from the many years of enjoying the completed project. Keep in mind, too, that true professionals can do your remodel right the first time, comprehensively reducing what might have been other extra costs later on.

• You Avoid Too Much Stress. When you hire a professional contractor, you can rest easy knowing everything will flow smoothly and you won’t mess anything up by taking the DIY route. You can sit back and relax for most of the process. After all, the responsibility of talking to numerous suppliers to get the materials you need doesn’t rely on your shoulders anymore. Expert remodelers already have relationships in place with product suppliers, and can quickly identify the materials your project requires.

• You’ll Get Better Value Out of the Remodel. Professionals can help avoid design and building mistakes, so you’ll be most likely to get the best financial value out of your investment. Most importantly, you’ll get a better and longer lasting value in terms of aesthetics, functionality and comfort.

In need of a professional kitchen and bathroom remodeler? Get in touch with Legacy Design Build Remodeling today! Call us at (480) 372-5001 to get started.

Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeler

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling are two of the most important remodeling jobs you can do for your home. For one, these rooms are the most utilized spaces in your property, which means they are the heart of your living environment. With that in mind, it’s critical to make sure you’ll get the best services for your home improvement project.

Finding the right kitchen and bathroom remodeling contractor for your needs is essential to the success of your upgrade. Spending time before the start of your project to find a quality, professional contractor is a key consideration to save plenty of time and money, and to prevent potential headaches.

While the cost  quoted by your potential remodeler should be a significant factor in your selection process, it shouldn’t be the only factor. There are several other factors that should influence your choice, among them:

• Do They Have Proper Licensing and Insurance? You can find proof of the expertise and credibility of your kitchen and bathroom remodeler with their credentials. A licensed remodeling contractor should be able to provide expert and high-quality workmanship on your upgrades. In addition, having full insurance coverage for both your property and the contractor’s team will protect you from any liability as they work on your home.

• Are They Local? Some homeowners make the mistake of choosing a contractor that is not based in their locality. From transportation issues to total material and labor costs, numerous problems can arise from this decision.

With years of experience working on homes within the community, local contractors know the best solutions that can withstand certain problems that frequently occur  in your region. Compared to out-of-area remodelers, local contractors are also more familiar with municipality codes and local building permits, allowing them to do their job in the most professional and time-efficient manner possible. You can rest easy knowing they know what they’re doing and that they can deliver the best level of service for your needs.

• Do They Have Experience? It’s also important to work only with a remodeler with vast experience in the type of remodeling project you’re planning to do, whether it’s kitchen or bathroom remodel, or both. Working with someone who has been at it for years can prove to be advantageous for you, as they will be better prepared and equipped to handle different remodeling situations.

• What Do Their Client Reviews Reveal? When looking for a reliable remodeler for your kitchen and bathroom upgrade, checking client testimonials is a great place to start. These testimonials and reviews provide you with honest feedback directly from customers, allowing you to have an accurate picture of the service a previous customer has received from your potential contractor.

From the reviews, you can also get an idea of how a certain remodeler deals with complaints and problems on the job, helping you decide whether a contractor is right for you or not. Look for reviews on sites such as Angie’s List, as well as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) page can be truly helpful. If your potential contractor has a positive and reliable reputation among previous clients, you can feel confident that it stems from quality work and excellent customer service.

• Do They Have Any Manufacturers Certification or Industry Awards? Hiring a remodeler with certifications from leading manufacturers and industry awards from the most prominent names in the remodeling sector means you’ll be working with a top-quality contractor. They have been recognized by top companies and organizations, which means they can provide you with the best materials and workmanship. In addition, certified contractors undergo continuous training, allowing them to stay up-to-date with the latest remodeling practices, materials and techniques.

• What are the Warranties They Offer? Warranties will come in handy for your own protection, so be sure to choose a remodeler that offers them. Before signing the contract, ask your contractor if they cover manufacturing flaws and workmanship errors, along with the factors that can void the coverage. When you’re aware of the protection you have, you can better keep yourself from assuming unexpected expenses arising from material or labor issues in the future.

Your kitchen and bathroom play a significant role in the overall comfort and functionality of your home, and it takes professional care to maximize their potential. Take the time to consider your options carefully and choose the correct remodeler so you can get the best value for your money.

Smart Tips to Ensure a Successful Remodeling Project

You may have great plans for your kitchen and bathroom, but as we mentioned earlier, you first need to find a reliable contractor for your remodeling project to be a true success. There will be plenty of contractors all too willing to take on your project, but not all of them will be reliable. In fact, some may even rip you off.

It’s always best to be careful when searching for contractors. Aside from the factors listed above, here are a few tips that will help you make sure you find the best contractor in your area:

• Verify Their Credentials. Home improvement is subject to building codes and regulations, and contractors need to be registered, certifiedor licensed to be able to carry out the work. It’s easy for a contractor to claim they are licensed and insured, but it’s always a good idea to check their credentials yourself. A good resource to use for looking up a potential contractor’s credentials is your state’s commerce department website, or the US consumer protection agency’s website: USA.gov/state-consumer.

• Ask for References. You can also start out by asking friends and relatives in your area if they have a preferred remodeling contractor they have used before. Ask them who they would hire to do a similar remodel on their own home. After all, if they have recently done a home remodel, chances are they can tell you who does great work at a competitive and fair price.

If you don’t have references from people you know, use the Internet to search for local businesses that might be suited for your needs. Once you have a few to pick from, you can ask them for their own references or request for recommendations from past customers. Go into thorough detail with these references when asking about their experience with the company. Here are some topics you can discuss with them:

• Product quality

• Service quality

• Price

• Contract details

• Project timeline

• Contractor punctuality and professionalism

• Likes and dislikes

• Similar projects they’ve completed

• Overall experience

• Make Sure Their Services Match Your Needs. Regardless of the home improvement project you want to undertake, it’s best to make sure beforehand that the company you choose has the ability to complete your upgrade from start to finish and at your standards. If you’re planning to do a kitchen and bathroom remodel, be sure to interview your potential contractor about the exact services they can provide for your home. Doing so can prevent misunderstandings and miscommunication between you and the remodeling company you hire.

• Schedule a Free Consultation. Once you have ticked off on the above, the next step is to request a formal (and free) consultation with your potential contractor. Ask them about their experience, projected course of action and methodologies. This is your chance to learn as much as you can about them before committing to a contract, so make sure you like what you’re hearing from your candidate.

• Formalize Everything in a Contract.  If you have decided on a home remodeling company, get everything in writing. Even if the job will only take a few days to complete, setting your expectations with a detailed contract can help eliminate gray areas during the work period. Your contract should contain information relevant to the project, including but not limited to:

• Scope of the Project – This section describes exactly what the remodeler needs to do and what materials and tools are required to complete the project. Take the time to review each item with your contractor to make sure both of you are on the same page through every step. When necessary, you can request to include details like the grade quality of raw materials to be installed along with their brand names in the listing.

• Estimated Project Duration – Upon the agreement, both your contractor and you should be clear about when the project will commence and when it’s estimated to be completed. It will also be helpful to know whether the remodeler is willing to work on the weekends or on holidays.

• Estimated Costs – Your kitchen and bathroom remodeling contract should also indicate an estimate on both the raw materials and labor necessary to finish the job.

• Payment Details – The contract should also display the total costs you are expected to pay for the job. It should also indicate the breakdown of the payment schedule and installation price. Keep in mind that for more extensive projects, it’s not ideal to pay more than one-third of the total costs up front as down payment. The state and federal laws regulate the amount of payment contractors can receive as initial payment for their services.

Remember that whatever may not be covered in your agreement may be considered extra work and may incur additional costs accordingly, so make sure that you like everything you read before you proceed.

Even when you’re doing just a minor upgrade, your kitchen and bathroom remodel is an investment. There are many things you can do to ensure you’re making the most of every dollar you’re spending, but none will be more important than finding the right contractor to work with. Narrowing down your options will take some work but the effort will be well worth it in the end.

Legacy Design Build Remodeling specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Give us a call at (480) 372-5001 to get a FREE consultation!