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How to Avoid Being Scammed by General Contractors

Choosing to remodel your home – and selecting the right general contractor to bring your vision to life – is a major decision. For most of us, our home isn’t just where we live – it’s our most valuable asset. Inviting someone into your home to handle a renovation of any size requires a great deal of trust. From a general contractor’s perspective, being entrusted to work in someone’s home is a responsibility that’s not to be taken lightly,

Unfortunately, we have all heard horror stories about general contractors who didn’t live up to expectations. Given these stories, it’s no wonder some homeowners are cautious when it comes to hiring a general contractor. So how can Orange County homeowners looking to complete a renovation protect themselves from hiring the wrong general contractor, but instead hiring a general contractor they can trust? There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure you’ve found a quality general contractor.

man using laptop to check general contractors license online with state website

Let your fingers do the walking to check credentials online

Warning Signs & Red Flags

First off, there are a few general warning signs, red flags, or statements made that could lead you to ask a few more questions or dig a little deeper into the general contractor.

“I’m available to start tomorrow,” or something along those lines. If a general contractor has availability to start immediately or soon thereafter, you may want to ask yourself why they don’t have other work scheduled. Some general contractors book out months in advance, allowing for proper planning, product acquisition, etc.
High-pressure sales tactics. When you start feeling rushed into a decision, or the pitch takes on that all-too-familiar used-car salesman vibe, it’s time to hit pause.
Overall job costs that seem too good to be true. Unfortunately, they likely are! If you receive a few different estimates from different general contractors and one of them comes in much lower than the others, take the time to compare the estimates you’ve received. Ensure you are getting like-for-like estimates, i.e. the contractors are providing estimates on the same scope of work with the same quality of materials. Oftentimes, if you go with the much-lower bid, you may end up seeing more change orders throughout the process bringing your job total up in the long-run.

Credentials Matter

“Jack of all trades, master of none.” Although maybe an extreme example… would you entrust your dentist to perform brain surgery? While both went to medical school and sport the name doctor, that doesn’t make their credentials to do the job equal.

While some tradesmen carry multiple licenses, it would not be recommended to hire a plumber to wire your new bathroom. Or having your electrician remove a wall to create that open-space feel.

Instead, look to hire an Orange County-based general contractor who holds a State of California license (or if you are in another state, the respective state’s license). In California, utilize the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) website to verify a contractor’s license status and credentials. You can search by Company Name, License Number, or even the contractor’s first and last name.

glasses on general contractor contract pages

Do some online research of general contractors you are speaking to

Ask for References

For most legitimate companies, you can find online references on sources such as Yelp, Facebook, Google, or even Houzz. However, take the reference check one step further and ask your general contractor for a couple of references you can speak to directly.

Although review websites do their best to eliminate the spam or paid-for reviews from their sites, some testimonials do end up slipping through their review process. If you are looking online and noticing overly generic praise, repeated phrases across multiple review, or a sudden flood of five-star rating in a short timeframe, take the reviews with a grain of salt. They may be a spam or paid-for review to boost the company’s overall rankings.

Instead, ask the general contractor(s) you are considering to hire for a couple of references you can reach out to directly. This allows you to ask any questions you may have, hear from an actual homeowner about their experience, and in some cases, see the finished work firsthand! If a general contractor gives you the “I don’t want to bother my clients” excuse, maybe do some additional online research of your home prior to signing a contract with that specific company or general contractor.

Trust Your Gut!

If in your conversations and interactions you’re noticing that “ick” feeling or something just doesn’t seem quite right, trust your instincts! While there may be a delay in getting your renovation started as you find another general contractor to work with, you want to find a general contractor that you feel one hundred percent confident with and in. Hiring the wrong general contractor or team can lead to extended timelines, costly mistakes, and potentially costly repairs.

If you are considering a renovation of your home, the Inspired Remodels team would love to speak with you. Having completed hundreds of remodels in Orange County over the last 20+ years, we are confident we can assist you in building your dream space.

kitchen and bath contractors after picture with gold lamps, white cabinets, and black counters

Orange County Local Home Remodeling Contractors: Bring Dream Homes to Life

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Home remodeling is an exciting process, but it can also be stressful. Whether you’re redoing your kitchen, adding a room, or updating your bathroom, the process can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Orange County is home to talented, skilled, and experienced local home remodeling contractors like those at Inspired Remodels. These pros bring your dream to life.

Why Choose Local Contractors?

Local contractors understand the unique character and style of Orange County homes. They know the local building codes and regulations and have established relationships with area suppliers and subcontractors. So, they get the job done efficiently and cost-effectively. As a result, you experience minimal disruption.

In addition, local home remodeling contractors worry about their reputation. They emphasize high standards of workmanship and customer service. Because they rely on word-of-mouth referrals and positive reviews, they go above and beyond to ensure satisfaction.

Choosing the Right Local Home Remodeling Contractor

Selecting the right contractor for your home remodeling project is crucial for success. Use these tips to help you choose wisely:

Ask Around – Ask friends, family, and neighbors for referrals. Word-of-mouth referrals are a reliable way to find a reputable contractor.
Check Credentials – Make sure the contractor is licensed, insured, and bonded. Check their credentials with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Review their Work – Look at the contractor’s portfolio of completed projects. This gives you an idea of their style and quality of work.
Get Multiple Bids – Get bids from at least three contractors. This will help you compare prices and services and ensure you get a fair deal.
Communication is Key – Choose a contractor who communicates well and listens to your needs. A good contractor will keep you informed throughout the project and address any concerns you may have.

Inspired Remodels: Local Home Remodeling Contractor With the Most Trusted Team

Choosing a local contractor for your home remodeling project is smart. Hiring Inspired Remodels is brilliant. Inspired Remodels is a design and build firm. From start to finish, you have one point of contact. Your project will always include quality materials from trusted vendors, proven installation methods, and only the best local tradesmen. Let Inspired Remodels bring your dreams to life. Schedule a consultation today.

How to Hire a Home Remodel Contractor

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Earlier this month we looked at hiring a kitchen remodel company. The skill set for remodeling a kitchen is similar, but there are some specific things you need to know before you hire a home remodel contractor. Chances are, your home remodel contractor will be working in more than one room. They might even add a room to your house. Here’s how to hire a home remodel contractor in Orange County.

Understand the Regulatory Requirements

Some jobs require permits and others do not. Failing to get permits when permits are required leads to problems down the road. Your insurance company may refuse to cover your house if it violates code and the costs to bring your home into compliance will probably be greater than if you had followed code in the beginning. That’s because engineers may be brought in to assess the structure.

So, just start by finding out what work requires a permit and what does not. Then when talking to your home remodel contractor, find out if they will be responsible for pulling the permits. If the contractor asks the homeowner to get the permits that’s a warning sign. The contractor may have problems with their license or insurance that will be uncovered during the permit application.

Be Honest About Your Budget

You know how much to have to spend on your remodel project. Be honest with the contractor about it. A seasoned contractor knows that you should include a contingency amount in the total budget. An experienced home remodel contractor can also tell you if your budget is realistic.

Get the work to be covered by your budgeted amount in writing. In other words, make sure you have a contract and the contract specifies the amount budgeted. You will also want to include a change order process. If during the project changes are required to the scope of the work (such as discovering a load bearing wall), the contract should include a process for approving these changes.

If the contractor excludes items from the contract, find out the value of these items to make sure you are still on budget. For example, if the project includes the installation of barn doors but the contract doesn’t include the actual cost of the doors, you need to make sure they are in your budget.

Also, remember that when it comes to home remodeling materials and workmanship the cost reflects the quality.

Connect with the Contractor

Don’t hire a home remodel contractor that you can’t personally connect with. This company is going to be in your house and they may be there for weeks.

You need a contractor with a personality and style that meshes with your own. You also need to know you can connect with the contractor when you have questions or a problem occurs. A reputable home remodel contractor like Inspired Remodels will provide you with a point person for the entirety of the project. Make sure this is a person that works well with your personality and style.

Home remodeling is stressful. Dreading a conversation, text or email with the contractor only adds more stress. So, select someone you can communicate with.

Check those Credentials and References

This is so obvious but it must be said. Check the references and credentials of the contractor. It’s easy to check a license online with the State of California and with sites such as Google and Yelp, it’s easy to find references. Be like Nike and just do it.

Orange County Home Remodel Contractor with Integrity

You won’t go wrong if you go with Inspired Remodels. That’s the home remodel contractor with integrity and a long list of happy customers and successful projects.