What Questions Should I Ask When Working With A Bathroom Remodeling Contractor?

A bathroom remodel can dramatically improve a home’s functionality and appearance. It is a great way to make a home feel more modern and comfortable, and a well-appointed bathroom is a feature that many buyers value when purchasing a home.

In addition to making the space more appealing, a bathroom remodel might even lower your home’s utility bills as it presents the opportunity to install technologies that can save energy and water.

What Does A Bathroom Remodeling Contractor Do?

Remodeling a bathroom can be more challenging than remodeling other rooms because of the need to safely navigate plumbing and electrical work. Many homeowners entrust this job to a bathroom remodeling contractor who will have the experience and skill to carry out the project successfully.

Bathroom remodeling contractors can handle everything from bigger tasks like flooring, plumbing and installing sinks and tubs, right down to smaller details such as installing new faucets and painting. They can help with the design and guide you toward choices that make the most of the space and budget at hand. They also offer the added benefit of being able to get good prices on fixtures and other materials through relationships with suppliers.

Top 3 Questions To Ask A Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

Before hiring a remodeling contractor, you should ask them a few questions beyond the typical inquiries about how much it will cost and how long it might take. Busy contractors may not have time for a lengthy interview, but reputable companies will be more than willing to take a few minutes to put your mind at ease about their level of professionalism.

Although there are a lot of good questions you might want to ask in such an interview, here are three questions you should prioritize in your conversation.

Are You Licensed And Registered In The State?

Most states have a contractor licensing system in place. Although each area has its own set of rules, it is important to ensure the company you work with has the proper license and that it is current. Do not simply take their word for it; ask to see the license and a printed record of complaints, penalties or fines. Be sure to ask your local building department what the licensing requirements are in your municipality.

Although having a license does not guarantee you will avoid problems with a contractor, it is certainly a good sign that they are interested in following proper procedures, and this attitude will likely carry over into the work they do on your bathroom.

It is also a good idea to ask if they are insured and bonded. Contractors should have personal liability, property damage and workers’ compensation coverage. When a company’s workers are bonded, it means they have purchased a surety bond that can protect the owners of the homes in which they work. These bonds offer a fixed amount of liability protection. This means that if the workers do not complete the job, the property owner may receive some compensation.

Do You Belong To Any Professional Associations?

Ask if the contractor holds designations from any of the major professional associations.

Here are a few to look out for:

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is an industry leader which sets the standards for kitchen and bathroom remodels.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is another top organization for remodeling professionals, and members must follow the organization’s basic standards and principles and agree to their code of ethics.
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) is a bit broader in scope but does offer membership to remodelers as well.

Anything that indicates a contractor has invested in courses and passed tests to earn a certification is useful, although experts recommend you dig deeper and find out what the certification means and how it was earned.

On a similar note, you should also ask what types of warranties they offer. This can help to ensure your satisfaction and maintain your bathroom in the long-term. A reputable remodeler will offer warranties on their services as well as the products they install.

Can I See Examples Of Your Finished Work?

Ask the bathroom remodeling contractor you are considering hiring to show you some examples of projects they have completed in the past. Ideally, you will want to see before and after photos so you can see what kind of work was carried out. Reputable companies who take pride in their work will likely already have some of these photos ready to share. Be wary of companies that are not willing to show you their work.

It is also a good idea to ask for references. Many companies will keep a list of former clients who are willing to vouch for their work. Although you might assume everyone whose name they share with you will speak positively about them, it is still a good idea to reach out as certain questions can give you some valuable insight into the way the contractor works.

For example, you might ask what the most positive and negative aspects of the process were, in addition to inquiring about their experience working with the company. Find out whether the work was completed on time and on budget; if it was not, that is not necessarily a red flag, but do find out how the contractor handled it. Another good question to ask is if there is anything they wish they could have done differently.

If time permits, you might also ask the contractor a few questions about how they work to ensure their work ethic meets your expectations. For example, you might ask them to tell you about a challenge that arose during a project and how they handled it. Remodeling projects often run into unexpected hiccups, such as water damage or faulty wiring, and you want to look for answers that indicate they communicated well with the client to solve the problem.

Consider Hiring A Professional Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

Remodeling a bathroom can be a very satisfying home improvement project, and hiring a professional bathroom remodeling contractor helps ensure you get the results you are seeking. If you are considering hiring a bathroom remodeling contractor, get in touch with the experts at Dirt Connections to find out how they can bring the right balance of comfort, function and aesthetics to this essential room.