How to Choose a Home Renovation Contractor
Embarking on a home renovation project is a super exciting time, but regardless of whether you’re tackling one room or every room, it’s a pretty big deal. This is why it's crucial that you select the right home renovation contractor to bring your vision to life and achieve your desired result on time and within your set budget.
With so many renovation contractors available, you must know what to look for and how to navigate the selection process effectively. And lucky for you, we’re here to help!
Here are 7 steps to help you choose a home renovation contractor:
Define what you want and set goals
Shop around for multiple quotes
Get recommendations
Look at testimonials and reviews
Look at past project portfolios
Check credentials & years of experience
Ensure you feel compatible with the chosen contractor
1.Define What You Want and Set Goals
First things first, before starting your search and speaking with contractors, spend some time really thinking about your goals for the renovation project, such as what you want it to look like, the amenities you want etc. If you don't know how to translate your goals into specific features or products, hire a design consultant or a design-build firm that can offer that service.
At Cwtch Haus, we offer a complete end-to-end service, meaning we can handle everything, from the initial design and planning stages through to installation with our in-house installation teams. Book your free home measure to find out how we can aid your home renovation today.
As well as your goals, you should also have a budget and timeline in mind. Knowing exactly what you want will help you communicate effectively with potential contractors and receive accurate estimates.
This leads us nicely onto point number 2…
2. Shop Around for Multiple Quotes
Plan to ask for at least 3 estimates from various contractors before making a decision. The more quotes you have, you’ll be able to clearly see how each company compares with each other. Not only will you get a clear perspective on appropriate costs, but also you'll get a good idea of the calibre of work that each contractor will provide.
It’s important to remember, however, that the cheapest option isn’t always the best. You want to choose a company that will give you the best value for your money.
Also, each renovation company will have a different interpretation of the project scope, and so by looking at several quotes, you will get an insight into how each company envisions the work.
If you're thinking about a new Kitchen, Bathroom or Bedroom, get in touch for your quote!
3. Get Recommendations
Another way you can choose a reliable renovation company is to get recommendations from family members, friends, colleagues, neighbours or people you have on social media who have recently completed home renovation projects.
Personal referrals are often the most reliable way to find trustworthy contractors, as they have had first hand experience of working with the company and can tell you exactly how it went and what you could expect if you were to choose them.
Personal referrals from people you know and trust are often the most reliable way to find reliable contractors.
4. Look at Testimonials and Reviews
Similarly to the above point, when you’re choosing between a number of different contractors, be sure to take a look at testimonials and reviews of past clients.
Testimonials and reviews provide insights into real-life experiences of previous clients who have used their services before, and reading about the experiences of others will give you a more realistic understanding of what you can expect, and can help assess the reliability and professionalism of the company.
Where Can I Find Company Reviews?
Most trustworthy design and build companies will have testimonials on their website, their social media accounts or Google reviews on their Google My Business page. You can also use review sites like Trust Pilot or renovation/construction directories to find testimonials from past clients.
At Cwtch Haus, you can find our testimonials on our home page or head over to our Google My Business where you can read our 4.8 Star Google Reviews.
5. Look at Past Project Portfolios
While testimonials and verbal recommendations are great for providing true insights into real life experiences of working with the contractor, you’ll also want to visually see their past completed work.
Reliable contractors should have a portfolio of projects that they’ve previously carried out to showcase their work. You can typically find this on their website, but if not, you can request it.
Checking past completed projects of a renovation company will not only help you to determine whether they can achieve the desired results you’re looking for, but it will also allow you to visualise what your project could potentially look like with their specific skills and expertise.
Take a look at some of our bespoke kitchen, bathroom and bedroom projects and the spaces we've created for our customers in West Wales, here.
6. Check Credentials & Years of Experience
When carrying out research into the best contractor for you, a really important step is to check that they have the necessary legal credentials, such as licences and permits.
This will not only demonstrate that the company is legally authorised to operate in a specific jurisdiction, but it will help you avoid any possible legislation issues.
You should also find out how many years of experience the firm has been operating for. How can you trust a contractor to carry out your renovation to a high standard if they haven’t got a proven track record of successfully completed projects?
Construction firms with years of experience under their belts are also often more adept at identifying complications that can lead to project delays, budget overruns, or other issues, allowing them to better manage and minimise these potential risks.
At Cwtch Haus, our team have over 15 years of experience working with national retailers in the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom industry, so you rest assured that your renovation project is in the best hands possible. Call us on 01437765960 to discuss your next project with us.
7. Ensure You Feel Compatible With the Chosen Contractor
Lastly, it's all well and good choosing a contractor which ticks all of the above boxes, but it’s also important to ensure that you feel compatible with them.
By this we mean, ensure you feel comfortable communicating with the chosen contractor. Choose one who completely understands your vision for the project, and one who you feel you can trust to deliver quality workmanship.
There we have it! We hope this article has aided your decision-making process when it comes to choosing the right home renovation contractor.
We are Cwtch Haus: an independent, family-run business that specialises in the design, supply and installation of bespoke kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.
We dedicate time and attention to understanding our customers’ lifestyles and habits to create a space that is perfectly tailored to their needs.
Get in touch for your free consultation and design from one of our experts. For more advice, head to our design & renovation blog page or email us on info@cwtchhaus.co.uk to enquire about our renovation services today.
Written by Kate Jones for Cwtch Haus.
