REQUEST A QUOTE
REQUEST A QUOTE
A commercial property build-out or home remodel is a big decision and investment to make. You need to do your homework whether you are outfitting your property for a new tenant or giving a facelift to your home or business. Each general contractor will have different specialties, price points, communication styles, and capacity to hit your required deadline.
Do yourself a favor and ask the right questions before getting started. There is no worse feeling than spending time, money, and energy on a project that will leave you pulling your hair out and disappointed in the final product. Here are seven things to consider before signing a contract for your remodeling project.
A great starting point is determining if the prospective contractor is reputable within the community. There is an unlimited number of general contractors in the Des Moines and central Iowa area. Some are small operations with a limited crew. Others are large companies with the ability to take on several projects at once.
Working with a big or small contractor will have different perks. Regardless of size, being sure you are working with a reputable contractor is the first step. Google My Business, Angie’s List, Facebook, and other platforms will show you who stands out from the rest as a reliable option. Find a contractor with a good rating and dig through the written reviews to see what positives or negatives other clients experienced.
You will get a sense of the contractor’s communication early on. If you send a request for a quote and don’t hear back for days or weeks, odds are you will be moving on to another option. If you hear back from a contractor right away and schedule a meeting, that’s a good sign. However, that does not mean that the planning and project communication will be flawless. You want to “be on the same page” as your contractor. There is no room for assumptions or partial understanding of what the scope of work should include.
Remember, it’s okay to move on to another contractor if the initial meeting doesn’t provide a sense of comfort and confidence you hoped to have about your build-out or remodel.
You have likely been contemplating a remodeling project for quite some time. This isn’t a situation where you wake up one day and act on impulse. There is no time or money to waste during a renovation project. As you do research and read reviews, you’ll learn what other clients have experienced with budget and delivery.
Selecting a contractor who can stay true to the original completion date without blowing up the budget is a big win for you. Getting into your renovated space on time is essential to your business and you can only tolerate construction inside your home for so long.
Extending the deadline means you have to adjust your plans and possibly spend more money to make alternative arrangements for operating your business or how you navigate your house. Be sure your contractor has a solid track record with sticking to the timeline and budget.
A quality outcome depends on a contractor’s ability to perform the work. As you do your research, get a sense of how the contractor’s expertise in the field. Do this by determining how many years they have been in business, the number of projects they have completed, and the sense of trust you gain by speaking with them. The quality of the remodel will largely depend on the skill of the crew.
It might seem like a nice favor to give that friend of a friend some business, but it could leave you disappointed in the end. Likewise, if a contractor specializes in kitchen remodeling and you need a garage addition, you may be better suited going with a garage specialist. Many construction contractors have a diverse set of skills and services.
While gathering quotes can seem like a tedious process, it’s well worth it in the end. By collecting multiple bids for your job will help you get a feel for the contractor.
A bid too high may communicate that the contractor is extremely skilled in that area and worth paying a premium for. It could also mean that they have a lot of mark-up on their goods or services.
An extremely low quote might tell you the contractor is desperate for work, just getting into the industry and has little experience, or perhaps they are giving you an honest price for the work they will complete.
You have likely set a budget and may be unable to go for the more expensive bid. That’s okay. Do your homework to be assured you’re not exchanging your hard-earned money for a bad outcome. To be clear, not all contractors who bid high are trying to work you over and not all low bids are to be taken less seriously.
Each company has a different number of employees, overhead, and profit they hope to make. Let your comfortability with the bid and your budget help guide you to the right contractor.
Selecting a contractor for a remodel or build-out ultimately comes down to this: make the right decision for you. You might find yourself leaning toward a contractor that will take a little longer or cost a touch more, but if you have trust in that relationship and their abilities, that’s what matters most.
We have over 15 years of experience as a full-service contractor in the Des Moines area. Our services are highly reviewed and we meet our client’s expectations for budget and timelines. If you are ready for a home remodel, garage addition, or commercial build-out, give us a call or submit a form online.
If you’re still looking for inspiration, have a look at our past residential and commercial projects. Our lines are open if you have any questions!