Home renovations can be a big investment so before engaging a contractor or design-build firm, it would be wise to ask a few key questions to be sure you’re hiring a professional, qualified team. In this week’s blog, we’ve put together a list of some of the top questions you should be asking your remodeler.
Are you licensed to operate in this state?
This is the first thing you should ask anyone who is offering to work on your home. While it may seem simple enough, many homeowners often either forget to ask this question or overlook it due to a quote that seems too good to be true (hint: it probably is). For an investment as important as this one, there is a certain standard of work and care your contractor should be held accountable to – so take the time to ask or look up if your contractor is licensed; verify what type of license they hold and if it is currently valid. You will be protecting your home and your pocket book in the long run. Jordan Design Build Group is fully licensed and insured in Virginia, DC and Maryland.
Have you worked in this city/county before? What is the permit process for a project like mine?
Adding to the point above, a contractor’s geographic service area can make a big difference in setting the right expectations and timeline for your project. Look for someone who is not only a specialist in the area of the home you’re seeking to remodel, but someone who is also familiar with the specific permitting and inspection processes related to your project. Hiring someone who is knowledgeable about jurisdictional building requirements is going to save you time and money in the long run. If a contractor struggles to articulate their experience in this regard, you might be better served looking elsewhere.
How long have you been in business and can you provide references?
While years of experience do not necessarily guarantee that a contractor is going to deliver on their promises, their references from past clients will be able to give you a fairly accurate depiction of the quality of work and level of service you should expect. If a contractor has 10 years of happy customers, it’s a good sign that they provide excellent workmanship and stellar customer service. Jordan Design Build Group is proud to have developed that kind of relationship and reputation with our clients in Northern Virginia and the DC area since 2009.
How long will this project take and when can we get started?
Your remodeling contractor should be able to give you a general time-frame for how long your type of project will take and when you can get started based on their current log of clients. Ask to see a typical construction schedule for a similar type job. At JDBG we provide detailed construction schedules for every project no matter the size and keep our clients regularly updated. You should also take into consideration that the design portion of your project can take anywhere from several weeks to several months depending on the scope of your remodel (are you renovating a small hall bathroom or doing a whole house remodel?). At Jordan Design Build Group, we go through a detailed design process so that all selections, construction documentation and pricing are finalized before we ever lift a hammer so that our projects stay on schedule and on budget.
Who will be working on this project?
It’s important to know who you’ll be working with on your remodeling project. Are the people you’re meeting with for the initial consultation the actual team that you’ll be working with throughout the process? Embarking on a home renovation can be a challenging process so you’ll want a remodeling team that is knowledgeable, experienced, communicative and reliable. Open communication and a high level of trust will lead to a successful project so it’s critical that you find a team that inspires confidence and one that you’ll enjoy working with over the course of your project. At Jordan Design Build Group our team is made up of both experienced design professionals, project managers and skilled field personnel and we work together to see your project through from conception through completion.