“Hopefully, you're shopping around among a few contractors before you make a decision,” says MacDonald. Not only can their rates and practices vary, but it's important to find a good personality fit, as well. And when it comes to asking the right interview questions, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, sometimes it’s not the responses you get that are important, but what you don’t get. So you should trust your instincts and pay attention to the information that is obviously missing.
Here are some questions NARI suggests you ask before signing that remodeling contract:
- How long have you been in business?
- What is your approach to a project such as this?
- Who will be working on the project? Are they employees or subcontractors?
- Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job?
- Does your company carry workers’ compensation and liability insurance?
- How many projects like mine have you completed in the past year?
- May I have a list of references from those projects?
- Are you a member of a national trade association?
- Have you or your employees been certified in remodeling or had any special training or education?
For more real estate information, please contact RE/MAX Gateway at scottmacdonald@remax.net, 703-652-5777, or RE/MAX Gateway.
RE/MAX Gateway is an award-winning real estate company serving Northern Virginia and the DC Metro area with four office locations. Agents are licensed in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.