Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Selecting A Home Improvement Contractor

These days it seems like everyone and their brother have decided that they can call themselves a "contractor".  And while at first glance it may seem that the majority of home remodeling contractors are a commodity, it couldn't be further from the truth.  It is important to select not only an expert, but also a partner that you can work with for years to come.  The best companies focus on relationships with their clients and strive to maintain a great reputation.  Quite a few people that have gotten into the home improvement industry really aren't qualified as "remodelers" as it truly is a very specific area that requires a refined focus.  Even as a contractor we run into issues with new vendors that present a very good looking presentation, but fail when it comes time to deliver on the business end of a construction project.  For kitchen and bathroom remodeling in Chicago, or additions in Chicago my suggestion would be to contact companies that meet the following criteria:

-Have a reliable reputation on review sites, such as Angies List.
-Members of the BBB with no complaints.
-Members of NARI or other reputable trade associations.
-Certifed in their respesctive discipline within that organization.
-Offer warranties longer than 1 year.  (And if they haven't been around for a year be leary).
-Be able to present a structure on how their company operates and showcase their accolades.
-And most importantly, have background checks on all of their employees or contractors.

By simply following these few steps it can save you quite a bit of heartache and alot of money in the long run on your next Chicago home improvement project.

Eric Udelhoven CR

1 comment:

  1. Pretty good post! It's important to allow yourself enough time to find the right contractor as this can save you a lot of money and stress. These are some important guidelines you should use when choosing a contractor.

    Denver Home Builders

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