You’ve made a decision to renovate your basement. What’s the logical next step? Finding a contractor, of course. There are many kinds of basement professionals – from a company that offers a complete package of finishing services, to a company that can complete the project piecemeal, from waterproofing, plumbing, and then more.
Here, we’ll give you advice on how to find the correct contractor with a list of questions to ask before you hire them.
ENSURING COMPETENCY:
1. How long have you been in the business? The longer they have been in the business, the more you can gain confidence in their integrity.
2. Is your company a full-service or specialty firm? Companies that specialize in a specific type of job, like finishing, will have the knowledge necessary to solve issues during construction.
3. Do you have a valid license and proper insurance coverage? Pick only picks who have the necessary paperwork in place.
4. Do you offer a warranty? Warranties guarantee that the company can fix any issues.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS:
1. When will you start/finish? Asking them when they can start will give you an idea of how in demand they are and if they are willing to work within your time frame. Asking them when they can finish tends you give different answers depending on variables but you should still get a rough timeline of the project.
2. Do you do all the work yourself or do you hire subcontractors? You will need to know who is going to be in your home throughout the project. If they are hiring subcontractors, ask them how they’ll manage the project.
3. Will you pull the permits? Be clear from the beginning of the project will require a permit and if they will help you obtain it.
4. Will you provide options for different materials? Materials are a major expense in construction, so it’s important to ask this question beforehand for any building project.
KNOWING THE PRICE BREAKDOWN:
1. Will I be getting a detailed drawing, scope of work, and guaranteed price? The chances of any surprises will be reduced if you have a finalized drawing of the space, scope of work, and signed contract with the price that is signed for approval before any work starts.
2. Why is your price so different from the other quotes I got? What did you include or leave out? Part of the research process should also include getting multiple quotes from other companies. Asking them the reasoning behind their pricing will ensure that you’re getting a fair quote.
