Bathroom Remodeling Estimates: How to Choose the Right Contractor for the Job

Thanks for visiting “Beautiful Bathrooms & more…,” where we’re happy to give you advice on your bathroom remodeling project!

Go with no more than three bathroom remodeling estimates…

If you recall last week’s monthly tip -- “Please, please, please stop at three contractors when getting estimates for work on your home” – you’ll see that obtaining more than three bathroom remodeling estimates will only serve to overwhelm you and make your final decision that much harder. Instead, limit yourself to three bathroom remodeling estimates to save time and stress.

Q: Carol P. from Freehold NJ writes: “Okay, I now have two contractors giving me a price to renovate my bathroom. I like both of them. How do I decide which one is best suited for me?” A: Carol, you hit the nail on the head with your statement “I like both of them.” It’s great if you like both contractors you’re considering. In fact, likeability is an important factor in your decision. After all, you’re about to welcome a virtual stranger into your home for a week or more, so at the very least you should get along with your contractor to make the experience pleasant overall. For up to four weeks and beyond (if the remodel is a big one!), you will be sharing space with your chosen bathroom contractor, so ensuring your personalities match is a crucial factor to a successful project.

Bathroom Remodeling: Listen to your gut…

Rule # 1: Pay attention to that little voice in your head. If you hit it off with a contractor immediately, that’s perfect. However, if something’s “off” but you can’t quite put your finger on it, listen to your intuition and go with someone else. A contractor can have all the qualifications and experience in the world but if you just don’t feel right around him or her, it’s better to move on now before it gets messy.

Tip: Yes, you should get referrals when looking into contractors. However, just keep in mind that contractors give you referrals to customers they know will give them a glowing review. This brings us to Rule #2…

Rule # 2: Get recent referrals, or jobs in progress. While past referrals can be valuable, you’re better off hearing from a current client as part of your contractor’s ongoing bathroom remodeling project. Find out the contact information of the customer he is currently providing service for. This is where you’ll get the most accurate feedback on a project that is halfway through completion from an in-the-now perspective.

Questions to ask these referrals:

1. How does your contractor handle unexpected situations? If there’s anything I learned in 30 years on the job, it’s separating contractors into two types: those who simply respond to unexpected situations and those who actually react to them in productive ways.

2. At what time did the contractor arrive in the morning and leave in the afternoon?

3. Does the contractor communicate well?

4. Is the job site left neat or messy?

Carol, I sincerely hope you found wisdom in this advice. To the rest of my loyal readers: call me for ideas on how to choose the best contractor and get what you want out of them once you’ve hired them. If you need bathroom remodeling estimates, I can help you with that as well!

My Monthly Tip: Go with acrylic shower pans instead of fiberglass when obtaining a bathroom remodeling estimate. Acrylic is more durable and easier to maintain, plus it resists staining over the years.

At Your Service,

J.R. Ferullo

/3rAUSvywع<-�