With the recent wave of lockdowns through the US, many people are staying inside for an extended period of time. The first wave of lockdowns had many homeowners inspired to improve their living spaces, whether for the lockdowns or finally having the time to do previously planned renovations they never had the chance to do. The pandemic has resulted in quite the feeding frenzy for contractors and are often found to have long wait times for construction projects. If you are looking to get renovations done for your home, it is important that you cover all of your bases with finding the right contractor for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind when undergoing your search.
How to Find the Best Contractor
There are so many services that can be done with the swipe of your finger on your smartphone. Finding a contractor is certainly one of them. One of the premiere sites for home design is “Houzz”. It is the #1 community for sharing and getting advice for home remodels and décor. They also offer a list of contractors that can help accomplish your plans. Houzz does a wonderful job of organizing the list of professionals by their specialties and location. Another good app to consider is “Nextdoor”. This is a solid resource to find contractors and businesses that are specifically local to your area. It is a great way to support workers in your area. If you are looking for the best possible results for your renovations, we recommend word of mouth from people in your network to get a great contractor. Hearing positive experiences from people you trust can make it likely that you will have a similar experience. Even then, it is important that you take a look at multiple options before moving forward with a specific contractor.
Meeting and Bidding
It is absolutely important that you talk to multiple contractors about estimates for your project. Smart shopping requires patience and to be open to other options. It is generally good to talk to at least 2-3 different contractors to gather bids from. When talking to a contractor for the first time, it is important that you have an idea of what you want to do and convey that in a clear manner. You don’t necessarily have to have a ready made blueprint on hand, but communicating your vision can go a long way towards great results. If you are completely new to remodeling and don’t know where to start, some experienced contractors can ask the right questions and help you narrow down what you ultimately want.
Pricing and Finalizing
In terms of pricing, it would not be wise to simply take the lowest price you find. Many contractors look to employ solid work with quality materials. They may also offer building a blueprint that will serve as a template for doing larger projects in segments. It is critical that when you are mulling through your options that you are comparing apples to apples; meaning that your comparisons must have parallels to draw from, such as the payment schedule or project scope.
East Bay Realty
Many houses on the market have gone through a remodeling process to broaden the appeal for prospective home buyers. Our realty team has a combined 50 years of experience in the buying/selling process. We understand the importance of home remodeling for getting the best ROI for your property. With our network of contractors, we look to get the best prices with great results. Let us help you with evaluating your home needs and book an appointment today!
510-344-6368