Milwaukee Remodeling Contractor

How to Choose the Right Milwaukee Remodeling Contractor for the Job

The amount of effort you spend finding the right contractor for your Milwaukee, Wisconsin home or business can make the difference between having a positive remodeling experience and a nightmarish one. Unfortunately, finding a good contractor isn't the easiest thing to do – especially if you don't know where to start looking. So, to help ensure you find the right person for your remodeling job, be sure to follow these steps when deciding on a contractor.

1. Seek out the names of remodeling contractors in your area.

There are many ways to find the names of contractors working in your area. Perhaps you have some friends who recently completed a similar remodel. If they were pleased with the work, ask them for the name of the contractor they dealt with. You can also look online or in your local Yellow Pages for contractor names. Simply find any names you can and add them to your list of potential remodeling contractors.

2. Research the contractors found during your previous search.

Once you've got a list of potential Milwaukee remodeling contractors, you'll need to research each one so you can narrow down your choices. Be sure to check online reviews and search the contractor's history with the Better Business Bureau. If any of your potential candidates have less-than-stellar reviews or a poor rating on the Better Business Bureau's website, eliminate them from your list.

3. Interview potential candidates.

Now that you've narrowed down your list to the most promising candidates, you'll need to conduct some interviews. Choose the number of contractors you'd like to interview about your remodeling project and start making calls. If your list of potential candidates is still rather long at this point, then contact your top picks first. You can always go back and contact additional contractors from the remaining names on your list if you are unsatisfied with your original choices.

During the interviews, seek answers to questions like:

- Does the contractor take on projects your size?
- How many similar jobs has the contractor completed?
- Will the contractor focus on your project themselves or will subcontractors be called in to complete the job?
- What efforts will the contractor take to keep the job site clean and safe?
- Can the contractor provide you with a list of references?
- What types of payment options and schedules does the contractor support?

If, at the end of the interview, you feel the contractor still has potential, then request a formal bid with a breakdown of project costs so you can use it to make an informed decision. Be sure to get everything in writing, as a detailed bid can be helpful later if you have a dispute. Ask the contractor to be as detailed as possible in their bid and include such details as brands of materials and products to be used, plus payment amounts and schedule options.

4. Decide which contractor is right for you.

When deciding on which remodeling contractor to go with, it's important that you take your time and avoid making hasty decisions. If your gut is telling you not to go with a certain contractor, then it might be wise to listen. Before making any decisions, however, be sure to carefully study the breakdown of costs provided by each potential contractor, because the quantity and quality of materials will likely differ from one bid to the next.

While making your decision, do keep in mind that it's not always wise to gravitate toward the contractor with the cheapest bid. Though paying less does sound nice, a cheaper bid may mean the contractor is inexperienced or plans on cutting corners to keep costs low. Also, be sure your final choice has the proper credentials to work in your area, including valid insurance, so you don't find yourself liable for any on-the-job accidents or damage to nearby properties, should such problems occur during the remodel.

There is plenty to think about when planning a remodel. One area of thought that should never be overlooked is the question of who will be your contractor. So that you don't end up choosing the wrong person for the job, be sure to follow the preceding steps when deciding on which Milwaukee contractor will oversee your next remodeling project.