Orange County remodel contractor Archives

Thinking of a remodel? With prices on the rise and material inventories going down, now is the time to act. Whether you want a new bathroom, a remodeled kitchen, or a fresh fireplace make sure you pick an Orange County home improvement contractor that delivers on time and on budget. Here are a few tips.

Ask for Referrals

The best way to start your search is by casting a wide net. Ask friends, neighbors, family members, coworkers, and even your fellow gym rats.

See a sign in the neighbor’s yard? Don’t be afraid to ring the bell and ask about the work. The people you know are going to give you the most honest appraisal of the work they had done.

And, if someone shares a horror story, listen carefully and learn. Not only will you learn who to avoid, but you’ll also learn what mistakes were made in the selection process.

Ask for Quotes

Once you’ve identified a few home improvement contractors, ask them to give you a quote. It’s important to get multiple quotes for the project.

To make an apples-to-apples comparison easier, make sure that each contractor gives you a quote for the same work and the same quality finishes. For example, if you want bamboo flooring, then make sure all quotes include bamboo flooring.

Otherwise, you might compare click-lock luxury vinyl planks to woven strand bamboo hardwood planks. That’s not an even comparison. Beware of any bid that is substantially lower than the others you receive.

During the quoting process, find out what work the contractor will perform and what work will be subcontracted out to another company or tradesman. Subcontracting for trades like plumbing and electrical is a common practice, but you want to know about it in advance.

Check for Home Improvement Contractor Licensing

Once you’ve narrowed your selection down to a few contractors, it is time to check their license.

A handyman or casual remodeler won’t have a license. But a professional home improvement contractor will be licensed by the State of California as a building contractor.

You can call (800) 321- 2752 or search online at the Department of Consumer Affairs.

You might be tempted to check with the Better Business Bureau too. But remember that companies pay to be a member of the BBB and membership doesn’t necessarily mean they provide quality services.

Ask for References

Ask the contractor for references. A quality home improvement contractor has a long list of satisfied customers and won’t hesitate to offer their contact information.

Be sure to follow through and call the references. Find out what they liked about the process and what they disliked.

Were there problems during the work? If so, were they resolved to the homeowner’s satisfaction?

Check Social Media

Once you are ready to make a selection, go and check social media sites for reviews. You may find contractor reviews on Yelp and Houzz.

As you read reviews, notice if projects are completed on time, on budget, and how any bumps are smoothed out. This provides insight into the contractor’s business practices.

If the company is like Inspired Remodels, you’ll find loads of happy customers and pictures of stunning bathrooms, kitchens, patios, fireplaces, and whole-house remodeling.

Are you still looking for ideas and not ready to hire a contractor? Find out how working with a design/build home improvement contractor simplifies the process.

When you’re ready for a new kitchen, bathroom, fireplace or garage door, you’re ready for it now. It’s easy to go with the first home remodel contractor that gives you and estimate. But it’s not a good idea. Don’t hire just any home remodel contractor, hire the best for the job you need done. Here’s how.

Do your research

Have you spent hours looking at appliances, flooring, fixtures and cabinets? Well, prepare to spend the same amount of time researching your contractor. First, start with friends, family, and neighbors that have actually used a contractor.

See a contractor’s sign in a yard? Don’t be afraid to ring the doorbell. Ask the homeowner what they think about the work being done. If the neighbor isn’t home, leave a note with your name and number. Just ask for a reference.

When checking references, it’s a good idea to talk to people that have had similar work done. Because, a contractor may be fabulous at removing a wall to open up a living area but not so great when it comes to the plumbing required for a bathroom remodel.

Compare apples to apples

When you are getting the three quotes everybody tells you to get, make sure they are quoting for the same work. Unless you’ve provided each contractor the exact specifications for the work you want done, (drawings, materials to use, and specific product names) each home remodel contractor is making assumptions. The price quoted reflects these assumptions.

Know exactly what is included in the quote and the allowance for overage. One quote for a bathroom may appear to be considerably lower, but upon inspection may require the homeowner to purchase flooring, fixtures and/or lighting.

If you want custom cabinets, make sure all quotes include custom cabinets of the same quality and made of the same materials.

Some remodeling work requires a permit from the local government. If your job requires a permit, make sure the bid includes any permit fees and specifies that the contractor is responsible for the permit. A contractor that asks a homeowner to pull a permit is a red flag. It’s a sign the contractor has a problem with their license. And speaking of licenses, be sure to check.

Check licenses and insurance

Once you’ve decided that a contractor can do the work you want at a budget you can afford, it’s time to do more research.

Fortunately, the State of California makes it easy to check licenses. Just go to https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx and type in the name of the contractor. For example, type in Inspired Remodels and you get a page that tells you the license number and that the license is active. Just click the license number and discover the status of the contractor’s bond, workmen’s compensation insurance and the history of both.

Don’t hire a contractor that isn’t bonded and doesn’t carry worker’s compensation insurance. If the contractor’s employee gets hurt on the job at your house, you can be liable if worker’s compensation insurance isn’t in place. It’s not a risk you want to take.

Consider Inspired Remodels as your Home Remodel Contractor

When you start to collect quotes and talk to contractors, contact Inspired Remodels. You will find their reputation is sterling and their work is exceptional.

Call (949) 716-1938 and schedule a consultation. You’ll find Joe and Jason Mueller are Orange County’s property brothers. Their design and construction services that are truly inspired.

Orange County remodel contractor

Picking an Orange County Home Improvement Contractor