Updated on October 10, 2024
46% of all money spent on home improvements is to redo a previous contractor's work (Harvard Joint Study on Housing).
Over 96% of all contractors fail before their tenth year of business according to The US Department of Commerce.
The pressure is on to find the right bathroom remodeler with enough experience to do the job right and treat you and your home with respect. What can you do to make sure you hire the best bathroom remodeler for your needs?
After 46 years of remodeling bathrooms that other contractors have messed up, JSB Home Solutions is dedicated to helping you avoid becoming another remodeling horror story. We have had homeowners come to us and describe their experience with past remodels through tear-filled eyes and it is disappointing that our industry sometimes gets represented this way. There are wonderful bathroom contractors out there and in this article, you will learn how to find them.
Follow these 10 steps to steer clear of jack-of-all-trades (master of none), questionable business practices, broken promises, and unsatisfactory work during your bathroom remodel.
Step 1: Interview a Handful of Contractors
To better understand the full scope of your bathroom remodeling options, you should talk to and get quotes from several contractors. When speaking with them, focus on how they handle the bathroom renovation process, the scope of projects they’ve handled, whether they have insurance and the proper license, and the warranties they offer.
You can also ask contractors what problems they usually run into with bathroom renovations and how they handle them. You hope everything goes well with your project, but you want to know your contractor can handle it if something goes wrong.
In the end, trust your instincts when speaking with contractors. If you don’t feel heard, or if the contractor pressures you into a decision, consider taking your renovation job elsewhere. Even if you only want to change a couple of things in your bathroom, you want to have a great relationship with your bathroom remodeling contractor. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for their ethics and customer satisfaction record.
Step 2: Review Their Past Work
When interviewing contractors, ask to see examples of their past work. This helps you visualize the designs and styles they are capable of creating and the quality of their finished work. As a follow-up question, ask which features of the bathroom the company was responsible for and what was already there.
Other than looking at images, read online testimonials from clients. Google reviews for a company is a great place to start. This helps you make sure the contractor’s words align with what their customers have to say. You deserve to hear about a company’s work directly from clients rather than rely solely on what a representative says.
Step 3: Get Your Estimates in Writing
The scope of your bathroom remodeling project likely hinges on your budget. When you interview contractors and look over their past work, ask for an estimate for your project. Rather than accept a verbal estimate, get it in writing. A written estimate gives you a breakdown of the renovation, allowing you and the contractor to establish a foundation for your project.
Here is what you should be able to find in a comprehensive written quote:
- Comprehensive materials list including sizes, colors, and styles so your selections are well documented.
- All additional fees such as taxes or financing fees so the numbers you see are the price when all is said and done.
- A description of the payment terms, if you are not financing the project.
- What work, if any, will be completed by subcontractors.
- What materials, if any, are the responsibility of the homeowner to provide. You will also want to make sure you know when your installers will need this material so that this doesn't delay your project, although this probably won't be in the contract itself. It's just good communication between you and your hired company.
Step 4: Discuss Scheduling Matters
Share if there are any constraints on when the job can be completed. Are you having a baby in 5 months and need the bathroom completed before then? Are you hosting the holidays for your extended family so you don't want construction until after the new year?
Most companies will have a lead time that they can provide you. A lead time is how much of a waiting period there is between signing your contract and the start of construction. A lot has to happen before the project can start like verifying selections, taking final measurements, ordering materials, and getting all the materials to the job site.
Setting realistic expectations about your bathroom project timeline can save you a lot of frustration once your bathroom is under construction.
Step 5: Ask About Subcontractors
Subcontractors, or subs, can be hired by the bathroom remodeling company (called a general contractor) to perform anything from a highly specialized task to the entire bathroom remodel. Subcontractors are known for introducing a bit of mystery and lack of quality control if they are not managed properly.
Ask your bathroom contractor if they use their own employees or subcontractors to complete their jobs. If they use subs, be sure to ask how your contractor plans to minimize the common problems with subcontractors.
Step 6: Ask About the Material Options
If you are wanting to stick with a tight budget, ask if you can reuse materials in your current bathroom for your remodel. Some materials could still be in great shape and you may find a way to include them in your new design.
You should also ask about what types of materials bring the most return on your investment in your neighborhood. For example, acrylic shower walls may be the most budget-friendly option for your bathroom project but you may live in an area where tile shower walls are more desirable. If you are planning on putting your house up for sale, you may want to consider what renovations will increase your home's value the most.
Step 7: Think About Daily Life
Think about how not having access to that bathroom affects your day-to-day life. Is the bathroom you want to renovate the only bathroom in the house? If so, is there someplace else you can shower during construction?
Ask your bathroom contractor when the crew will arrive in the morning and when they wrap up for the day. Even if you still have access to your bathroom, you must still think about the contractor’s schedule. How will the work team’s comings and goings change how you shower, shave, and handle other personal hygiene tasks?
Step 8: Check Industry Credentials, Licensing, and Insurance
Ask if your contractor is currently licensed and that the technicians on your job will be manufacturer-certified. If your project requires specialized skills, make sure the company you hire has the skills necessary to do the job correctly.
Ask about their liability protection and workman's compensation coverage to make sure that anyone who comes onto your property is protected by the company. You want a company that protects you and your home from risk when completing a remodel.
Step 9: Choose the Contractor Who Suits You and Your Needs
Take your time while narrowing your contractor options. Rather than focus only on price, think about how the contractors made you feel during your initial interview. How did the employees treat you when you first contacted the company? Which contractor offered thorough answers to your questions? How long did it take the company to get back to you with answers to your questions?
Step 10: Sign a Contract
Before letting a contractor start construction on your home, make sure you have a signed contract. Look over the legal document before signing it to make sure it includes everything you discussed and agreed on. Double-check the price, payment schedule, your physical address, start and end dates, and any coupons or discounts you qualify for. You and the contractor should both sign the document before work begins.
How Can I Choose the Right Bathroom Remodeling Contractor?
Finding a bathroom contractor who will remodel your bathroom like it was their own and treat you like family can be challenging, especially with all the bad reputations floating around the remodeling industry. There are companies who won't leave you high and dry and we have compiled a list of the best bathroom remodelers in Columbus, OH to help you get your project off to a great start.
You can also download our Remodeling Company Comparison Guide. This guide has questions that you should ask of any contractor. Ask these questions and you should have all the answers to the steps laid out in this article. There is also room for you to record the answers that several companies give you to these same questions.
When you find the right bathroom remodeler, you will have the luxury of enjoying the home improvement journey. Your excitement over your new bathroom will grow with each step closer to achieving the glorious status: "Job Completed"!
