Your bathroom might not be what it once was. Maybe it has leaks, mold growth, or rust. Or, maybe the decor is outdated and not compatible with the rest of your home.
Whatever the problem is, it’s time for an upgrade. Upgrading will leave you with the bathroom of your dreams and even increase your home’s value.
Unfortunately, remodeling can be quite the process. A brave few try to tackle it alone, but most will want to hire a professional.
Image by Ryan Doka
If you’re part of the latter group, we’ve got you covered! Here are 6 of the best tips for hiring the right bathroom contractor.
1. Ask Around
Google really is one of the best ways to find bathroom contractors. Just type in “bathroom contractors near me,” and you’ll be met with plenty of results.
However, before heading to Google, we recommend asking around. See if any of your friends or coworkers have had their bathroom remodeled lately. If they have, they can refer you to the contractor they worked with. This is a great way to find reputable professionals. And, if your friend had a bad experience, they can tell you which contractors to avoid!
2. Verify Credentials
Before hiring someone, make sure they have all the required local and state certifications. This ensures they comply with the law, follow building codes, and take proper safety precautions.
According to these contractors in Salem Oregon, you should also check out the company’s involvement in professional associations. See if they are members of organizations like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). This will further assure you about their reputation.
Be wary that dishonest people may try to fudge their credentials. They will lie about their membership status or claim to be part of any organization that isn’t legit. Be sure to research the organization they claim to be part of and verify that they are actually a member.
3. See If They Offer Free Estimates
Reputable contractors should offer free estimates. This gives you the chance to see if they’re a good fit and if they’re within your budget. If a contractor offers estimates that come with obligations, be wary. They may be trying to get extra money from you or rope you into hiring them.
So, we recommend staying away from estimates that come with obligations. However, this has become very frowned upon in the industry within the last few years. It shouldn’t be hard to find a business in your area that’s willing to offer this courtesy.
4. Check Their Reviews
Earlier, we recommended asking your friends for referrals. If no one you know can recommend a good contractor, online reviews are the next best thing!
Reviews give you a good idea of how contractors are to work with, what they’re results look like, and more. You can also count on people telling you everything wrong with the professional they hired. So, before hiring, be sure to check out the contractor’s reviews.
5. Compare Their Work
You have a unique vision for your bathroom. You’ll want to choose a contractor that can make your dream a reality.
To do this, visit their website and check out their work. See what kind of remodels they’ve done and whether or not they match up with your vision.
6. Talk to Multiple Contractors
You might be in a rush to upgrade your bathroom. But, seeing how important of a project it is, you should take your time.
Don’t just hire the first seemingly decent contractor you come across. Instead, talk to multiple professionals. See what their communication styles are like, what types of projects they specialize in, and what their prices are.
Bottom Line
Remember that you don’t need to find your contractor tomorrow; it might take more time than you planned to find the ideal person for the job.
As long as you follow these tips, you should find the perfect bathroom remodel contractor in no time.
