How Do I Choose A Contractor?

How Do I Select a Contractor?
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How Do I Choose A Contractor?

How do I choose a contractor to perform a bathroom, kitchen, or full interior remodel in Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, and throughout South Orange County California?  Ask!

To help my clients make good decisions and choices when hiring a contractor, I developed a handy checklist (see below).

Here are the five most important criteria for answering the question “How do I choose a contractor?”

  1. Most important! Hire the person, not the estimate.  When you find the right person, price will take care of itself.
  2. How Do I Choose A Contractor?After meeting with the Contractor personally, not a salesperson, ask yourself:
    1. Is the Contractor sincere, honest, trustworthy, and genuinely helpful?
    2. Will the Contractor do the best job and provide excellent customer service, support and value?
    3. Am I confident the Contractor will have my family’s safety and security in mind – not their bank account?
    4. Do I believe the Contractor will do an excellent job that will last and be beautiful?
  3. Did the Contractor clearly explain how the estimating process works?
  4. There is no greater way to torpedo your project than to choose a contractor based on a free estimate.
  5. Anyone who says permits are not required for a bathroom, kitchen, or full interior remodel is lying to you and you’re going to get yourself into trouble.

Before you hire a contractor, can they answer “yes” to all of these questions?

No.QuestionDAD’sComments
1.Licensed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB)?Yes!It’s the law!
2.Workers Compensation Insurance (if required)?Yes!It’s the law!
3.General Liability Insurance of $2 million?Yes!Protection for you!
4.Bonded to $15,000?Yes!It’s the law!
5.Is the down payment 10% or $1,000 whichever is less?Yes!It’s the law!
6.Are there at least 5 progress payments clearly spelled out in the contract?  Including a 10% withhold until the Building Department issues the completion certificate?Yes!Never let the payments get ahead of the job!
7.Will Contractor work every possible workday to ensure the job is completed on time?Yes!DAD’s values your time!
8.Provide design service with professionally developed 3D color drawings?Yes!Brings your project to life!
9.Provide a written detailed contract?Yes!It’s the law!
10.Does the contract illustrate expenses and specifications by line item category – not just a few numbers?Yes!Very important!
11.Use environmentally safe products and practices?Yes!USGBC member!
12.Contractor provides all required building permits, arrange and be present for all Building Department inspections?Yes!It’s the law!
13.Contract includes all materials, labor, and work be supplied and performed by Contractor through job completion?  In other words, turn-key?Yes!DAD’s takes care of everything!
14.Will all drywall and insulation be removed and replaced for your health and safety?Yes!DAD’s cares!
15.Plumbing fixtures are replaced using Kohler products for durability and beauty?Yes!Lasting peace of mind!
16.Tub and shower tile will be installed using Portland cement vs. pre-made backer boards or Polyethylene sheets?Yes!Strong and durable!
17.Tiles be very high quality for strength, durability and safety from Daltile?Yes!Certified by PTCA (1 of only 24 manufactures)!
18.Shower pans have best quality hot mop water proofing and be thoroughly tested and inspected?Yes!Guaranteed not to leak!
19.Paint be ultra-premium Aristoshield and Suprema by Dunn Edwards?Yes!Superior performance and color!
20.Trash and debris are removed daily and the work area left clean and well organized?Yes!Trash is never left in piles around your home!
Score100%

 

For more helpful information, please see Best Local Contractor for selecting the best local contractor for bathrooms, kitchens, and full interiors!

Always Hire a Reliable and Dependable Contractor to Remodel your Home

Design Build Bathroom Remodel | Best Local Contractor DAD's ConstructionAlways work with a trustworthy contractor like DAD’s Construction.  We are experts in bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling.  We remodel and manage projects in an efficient manner.  DAD’s Construction will do everything to minimize the possibility of change orders.  Our team will make sure we have all the necessary information to prepare a proposal that meets your requirements.  Rest assured that we will provide you with a detailed, by line-item contract.  We will make sure that the contents of this agreement are properly and clearly communicated to you.  If you have questions or need updates regarding your project, we will always answer your inquiries.

How Can I Receive More Information on Remodeling my Home?

If you would like more information on enjoying the best bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling experience in Orange County, call Dan at (949) 380-0177 or at dan@dadsconstruction.com for a free in home consultation.  DAD’s serves all of South Orange County California.  This includes Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, Ladera Ranch, Irvine, San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Aliso Viejo.

DAD's Construction Best Local Contractor

“Taking Care of Your Home . . . The Way We Would Our Own”

Daniel A. Derkum is the owner of DAD’s Construction, a leading South Orange County, California design-and-build remodeling and renovation contractor, https://www.dadsconstruction.com.  © DAD’s Home Services & Construction, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.