Tips to help you choose the Right Contractor

- What type of project are you planning?

- Have you written down all your dreams, ideas, must-haves and maybes?

- Have you created a realistic timeline and budget?

- How are you paying for the work?

• Personal funds
• Credit cards
• Loans

- What type of contractor do you need?

• Small projects needing one or two trades – You are the General Contractor
• Larger project needing many trades – Hire a General Contractor
• If someone in the home requires specific medical attention for design and products, will the homeowner or contractor provide a qualified medical professional?

- Is a building permit required? First, check with your local jurisdiction and HOA. For the greater Denver, Colorado area, below is general information by county. If you live elsewhere, web search or call your local city or county building department. They are always willing to help proactive homeowners.

• Jefferson County 
• Clear Creek County
• Park County
• Black Hawk
• Denver 
• Boulder City & County
• Arapahoe County
• Weld County
• Douglas County
• Adams County
• Broomfield County  
• Gilpin County  

- Ask friends and neighbors

- Search the web - 

• Local sites such as Next Door, etc.
• Search Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
• Lead generation companies

- Search professional associations

• National Kitchen & Bath Association
• American Society of Interior Designers
• International Interior Design Association
• National Association of the Remodeling Industry
• National Association of Home Builders
• American Occupational Therapy Association
• American Physical Therapy Association
• National Association of Realtors
• American Society of Home Inspectors
• Inter­national Association of Certified Home Inspectors 
• National Association of Mortgage Brokers
• National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association
• National Association of Homeowners

- Ask locally

• Homeowner Associations
• Building departments
• Building suppliers and design centers
• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• Home inspectors
• Real estate agents
• Mortgage lenders
• Banks

- Business questions

• How long have you been in business?
• Are you incorporated? In Colorado click here to verify.
• Do you have a current state-issued Certificate of Good Standing?
• Have you ever been part of legal action on one of your projects?
• Are you an active member in professional associations?

- Contract - Ask for a sample contract that includes: 

• A clear and mutually fair clause for change orders or "project upgrades"?
• The federally mandated Right of Recession.

- References - ask for references

• Type of project
• Length of projects
• Approximate cost

- Licensing and Certifications

• Ask for the contractor license number.
• Verify their license through your state regulator agency - in Colorado, it is called, DORA - Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
• What professional certifications have they earned?

- Insurance

• Who is their business insurance company?
• Ask for details of coverage.
• Vehicle and equipment ownership and coverage.

- Bonding

• Who is their bonding company?
• What type - performance & payment, loss-bonding, or other?

- Jobsite supervision

• Will there be a full-time dedicated manager on-site?

- Subcontractors

• Will subcontractors be used?
• Ask for a copy of their subcontractor agreement/contract forms.
• Are subcontractors licensed and bonded?

- Do they create all necessary drawings, plans, and specifications?

• Hand drawn
• 2-D computer-generated?
• 3-D computer-generated?
• Can the information be sent to you or is it available online?

- Project schedule

• Who creates and approves?
• Is it online or posted in the work area?
• How often is the schedule updated?
• What happens when work is not on schedule?
• What days and times do they normally work?

- Project meetings

• How frequent?
• Who schedules the meetings?
• How long do meetings last?

- Job site signs

• Emergency contact information
• Building permits
• Pet Information
• Delivery instructions
• Work calendar visible to everyone
• Locations for water, gas, and electric shutoffs

- Trash

• If needed, do they provide a dumpster for trash?
• Will they clean up throughout the day?
• Will they remove all personal and food/beverage trash every day?
• Do they recycle?

- Job site

• Where will the workers park?
• Who provides snow plowing for work vehicles and walking?
• Where will materials be stored?
• Where are tools kept? Locked?
• If needed, will a temporary kitchen be set up for the homeowner?
• Will they provide a job site toilet, how often is it cleaned?
• Do they allow smoking on site?
• Is music allowed?
• Where do the workers take breaks and lunch?

• How did you find your contractor?
• What did they do in your home?
• Were the contractor and all the subcontractors polite and nice?
• Would you hire them again?
• Did you like your contractor and their team?
• How well did the contractor communicate with you?
• Did they keep your house clean?
• Did they stay on budget?
• Did they tell you when the schedule changed?
• Did they complete the project on time?
• What did the contractor do when something went wrong?
• Are you comfortable and happy with the finished project?
• Could we come and see their work or could you send photos?
• What advice would you give us if we hire them?

• How quickly did they return phone calls? Texts? Emails?
• How well did they communicate with you?
• Did they answer all your questions?
• What does your "Gut-Feeling" tell you?
• Now set up a meeting with your #1 and #2 choices

- How easy was it to schedule the first meeting?

- Did they arrive on time or at least call if they are running late for a valid reason?

- Do they have a pleasant appearance?

- Did they park in your driveway or on the street?

- Did they wear booties in your home?

- Did the contractor:

• Ask if you have remodeled before and how was that experience
• Take notes
• Ask about your dreams and goals
• Ask about any particular family needs
• Ask about timelines, days allowed or not allowed to work, holidays, family vacations, etc.
• Ask for permission first then take measurements and photos
• Ask if the home has been tested for any hazardous materials - lead, asbestos, mold, etc.
• Talk about budget and costs
• Talk about materials and who will purchase them and when
• Create a rough plan and hand you the meeting notes or tell you when to expect them
• Ask when you would like to meet again
• Contact you with a message thanking you, within one hour of leaving

- Were you, your family, and your pets comfortable with them in your home for the first meeting?

- Details, details, details

- When you want to start and end the project

- Planned use of rooms and areas

- Do you have or need a professional designer

- Any personal needs of the family or visitors. If so, who is the medical professional(s) needed to consult and recommend specific designs and products?

- Do you want the ducts and/or drains cleaned prior to the job start to detect any existing problems?

- Materials preferences:

• Cabinets & countertops
• Sinks & faucets
• Doors and handles
• Windows & coverings
• Floors
• Lighting & controls
• Colors
• Etc.

- Money:

• How you are financing?
• When will payments be made to contractor(s)

- Does their contract include a clear and mutually fair clause for change orders or "project upgrades"?

- Does the clause allow for either:

• No work until approved in writing.
• Changes up to a specified amount will proceed upon verbal authorization, followed by written confirmation.

- How quickly and friendly do they respond to changes?

- When do you pay, or receive credit, for changes?

• Everything is completed as you expected
• Everything is clean to your satisfaction
• Ductwork, drains, etc. are cleaned
• Building permits are officially closed
• Your insurance policies are updated
• Any trusts, etc. have been notified
• You received all warranty and operations documents
• Everyone is paid
• There are no liens
• Your contractor is happy 
• You are happy 
• Tell your contractor all of the above

- Set clear expectations upfront and be willing to modify them during the project

- Everything in writing

- Watch your emotional levels - smile a lot!

- Watch your contractor's emotional level

- Communication:

• Prompt
• Positive body language
• Friendly tone
• Confirmed in writing

- Problems:

• Stop the project or continue?
• Talk it through to achieve a mutually acceptable resolution
• Involve an informal or formal advisor you trust and can talk to your contractor in their language

Below are typical homeowners' emotions before, during, and after a remodeling project. It may look cute and funny, but in real life, it can be scary and seem like a ride that will never end.

This is why you need a someone experienced, knowledgeable, and willing to help guide you through your remodeling project.

*Special thanks to renowned building professional and friend, David Lupberger, for creating the initial concept of the Remodeling Emotional Roller Coaster