ost of us understand—when making key purchases such as a car, furniture or jewelry—price matters. The quality of the item is most often connected to the cost of the item. Unfortunately, that same assumption is not generally applied when selecting a remodeler. Your home is the largest financial investment you make, and generally, the value will be increased with a remodel project. However, in selecting the right remodeler for your specific project there are many factors that should influence your choice.

Remodelers often review detailed plans and provide free estimates in the hope of being selected as most qualified for a project. Yet homeowners, expecting great value and quality results, choose a remodeler on the basis of cost. Hiring the remodeler with the lowest bid may seem like a deal at the time, but as the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.”

Often, those remodelers with the lowest bids choose to cut corners in their building processes. They employ subcontractors that change from job to job and therefore can’t be certain about what they will produce. Sometimes, they even hire illegal workers to keep costs low. Furthermore, they use lower quality materials, sub-standard methods of construction and tend not to warranty the work for any period of time. Additionally, when reviewing plans, they subscribe to the minimum requirements. This can lead to potential problems during the building stage that will end up increasing the cost of the project later.

Thorough review of plans can cost more at the onset, but it is a cost well worth it in the long run. When a remodeler is aware that

a homeowner’s decision will be based on cost, there is a temptation to underestimate the expense of a project in order to get the business. Once hired, they increase expenditures as the project progresses. This is unfair to the client because it creates budget problems. It is also unethical and a business practice that reflects poorly on the industry.

The success of a remodel project depends on more than just cost. When selecting a remodeler, consider the importance of trust, confidence and peace of mind. By interviewing prospective remodelers thoroughly, the best fit should become evident quickly. In order to evaluate each remodeler fairly, prepare a set of questions in advance. Ask how long they have been in business and about professional affiliations. Find out about certifications and registrations or awards that the remodeler may or may not have. You will also want to know about their project management and communication skills. Equally important are contracts, billing and change order procedures and warranties of work.

The cost of the project is important, but it should only be one of many factors in the selection process. Invest your time and energy in the early stage of the project; interview and choose a remodeler that you feel confident in and can build a solid relationship with throughout the design and construction phases. Your project’s success depends on it.l

By William L. Shaw Jr., CGR, GMB, CAPS

William Shaw & Associates