Did you know that almost half of the money people spend on home renovations goes to fixing another contractor’s mistakes? Yep, that’s right—46% according to a Harvard study. And it gets worse: The U.S. Department of Commerce says more than 96% of contractors don’t even make it to their 10th year in business. Finding a trustworthy sunroom installer is important and can be challenging if you aren't sure what to look for.
With 46 years in the remodeling industry and 15 years as a certified BetterLiving sunroom installer, we here at JSB Home Solutions know what qualities separate the great companies from the rest of the pack. We've seen firsthand what happens when homeowners trust the wrong contractor and end up getting taken advantage of and it's disappointing to us when our industry is represented so poorly. In this article, you will learn how to ensure that you work with a responsible, respectful, and trustworthy contractor for your sunroom addition.
Here’s your guide to avoiding the headaches and heartbreak that can come with hiring the wrong sunroom contractor. These 10 steps will help you dodge the pitfalls, from shoddy work to shady business practices.
It’s also worth asking what common issues they run into and how they handle them. No one likes surprises, but if something does go sideways, you’ll want to know they can manage it.
Listen to your gut during these conversations. If a contractor isn’t listening to you or seems pushy, that’s a red flag. No matter the size of your project, you want to feel good about who you’re working with. Check out the Better Business Bureau too—it’s a great way to see how they treat their customers.
Online reviews are your friend here too. Google reviews, in particular, can give you insight into other customers’ experiences. Seeing how a contractor’s words match up with what clients are saying will help you make a more informed decision.
A comprehensive written estimate should cover:
Most contractors will give you a lead time, which is the waiting period between signing the contract and starting the work. 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.
Being clear about your timeline can help avoid frustration once the addition kicks off.
Sometimes contractors bring in subcontractors (subs) to handle specific parts of the job. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it can lead to issues if the subs aren’t properly managed.
Ask your contractor if they use subcontractors and, if they do, how they plan to keep everything on track. The key here is to ensure the quality of your sunroom addition doesn’t slip through the cracks.
Ask about what sunroom materials a contractor uses and any foundation work that will need to be done. This will be especially important if you have an existing foundation as you compare quotes from multiple contractors. One contractor's quote could appear to be less expensive but they didn't include any foundation work while another contractor is more expensive because they included strengthening your existing foundation.
Also, consider what materials will give you the best return on investment in your area. For instance, a screen room might be the least expensive option but in central Ohio with our wacky weather, three-season rooms are much more desirable and bring about a 60% return on investment according to many real estate experts.
Ask your contractor about the work schedule—when they’ll arrive and when they’ll leave each day. This will help you know when to expect there to be other people around your house.
Make sure your contractor is properly licensed and that their team has the certifications needed for the job. For example, our sunroom installers here at JSB have all been trained and certified by BetterLiving, the manufacturer of our sunrooms. This ensures that they know how to construct and install the materials correctly.
Also, ask about their insurance coverage, including liability and workers’ compensation. This protects you from assuming any of the risks while still covering the workers on your property.
Before any work starts on your sunroom addition, make sure you have a signed contract. The contract should cover all the details you discussed, including price, payment schedule, start and end dates, and any discounts you’ve agreed on. Both you and the contractor should sign the contract before the project begins.
Finding a sunroom installer who treats your project like their own can be tough, but it’s not impossible. There are plenty of trustworthy companies out there. We’ve put together a list of the top sunroom contractors in Columbus, OH, to help you get started.
You can also download our Remodeling Company Comparison Guide. It’s packed with questions you should ask any contractor, plus space to jot down their answers. With this guide, you’ll be ready to choose the right team for your project.
Once you find the right sunroom installer, you can sit back and enjoy the construction process. Watching your sunroom take shape day by day will be an exciting journey, leading to that satisfying moment when the job is done!