Remodeling your home can be a daunting task.  However, this task becomes a little less daunting with the help of a knowledgeable and skilled professional contractor who can not only guide you in the right direction, but also be trusted to complete the job efficiently and up to your personal standards. Tony Ishairzay Vice President of Professional Remodeling Group – a home remodeling company in Northern Virginia & himself being a residential remodeling contractor specializes in composite or wood decks, screened porches, vinyl energy efficient windows, vinyl siding, basement finishing, kitchen remodeling and other exterior remodeling.  With over 15 years of experience he offers a few tips on how you can choose the right home improvement company or right company for your home improvement needs.

First, Tony mentions that it is important that you are knowledgeable about your home improvement work you would like to have done. This means doing your homework so you can provide the home remodeling contractor with the information required for them to give you an appropriate estimate based on your goals. In addition, you will be able to understand the language used by Contractors for any kind improvement work and will be knowledgeable enough to communicate effectively. For instance finalizing purchase of quality graded energy efficient windows available in market.
Tony emphasizes that communication is key when hiring a Home Remodeling Company or Contractor. To ensure that you have accurate estimates to compare and contrast, it is also very important to give each Contractor from whom you are collecting bids, the same information on the scope of work which needs to be completed so that each estimate is on the same playing field. Materials can adjust a bid drastically so decide on which materials prior to getting your bids so all the estimates are apples and apples. It can get very confusing when you receive bids from multiple contractors that use different materials for the same job. For example; screened porches could be made up of wood, vinyl or aluminum. Also make sure contractors initial bids are exactly what you will be paying at the end of the job, make sure that tax, clean-up, permits, and other factors are all included from the beginning.

When meeting with several Home Improvement Contractors, you should look for a Contractor who is first of all licensed with the state and in good standing. Class A licensed contractor is recommended, they usually have the most experience and reliability.  Also see if they are affiliated with the Better Business Bureau, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or another local building or remodeling association. Being able to see the Contractor’s previous work on a website is important, and you should be cautious when considering a Contractor who does not have a website. Any Company who has done good work in the past will be happy to give you references as a back up. For instance he may put up pictures of certain completed projects upon basement remodeling, screened porches or energy efficient windows on his website. When you finally find a Contractor you are impressed with, loyalty is important. Contractors will go out of their way for a loyal client, and this is important when dealing with your home.
If the Contractor does not prepare an estimate by the date requested, you should be warned that perhaps they are not efficient or dependable. Time is important in a remodeling job, and a rushed job will not necessarily turn out with the best quality. Therefore, it is essential to give the Home Remodeling Contractor a timeline, and to ask the Contractor what their timeline is and then see if they can stick to that. A prompt estimate is a good indication as to whether the Contractor will stick to a set schedule.

When gathering and reviewing each bid, Tony stresses that there are many things other than final cost which must be considered. Price is not the most important factor, because the age-old saying is true… “You get what you pay for.” Quality may not necessarily come at the cheapest price, so keep this in mind when reviewing bids from any Home Improvement Contractors.
The estimate should be detailed and include all the specifics regarding the work. If the estimate is too vague, you may want to reconsider hiring this company. By accepting a vague estimate you are leaving yourself susceptible to expensive “change orders.”  In addition, a Contractor who cannot guarantee their work will usually not stand up behind the quality of their work. A guarantee means the company will fix any problems you may have with their work, free of charge.

Tony Ishairzay says that when comparing bid prices of a home remodeling company, it is crucial to inquire about great discrepancies in price. A higher bid could be due to many reasons including a higher profit margin, omission of a part of the scope of the work, or greater overhead costs. Therefore, a higher bid may not necessarily mean you are getting better quality work.

Finally, when it is time to sign the contract make sure that certain things are included such as: a detailed payment schedule, design selections, scope of the work, explanation of the contractor’s warranty, references to architectural drawings, and construction schedule. Finally Tony Ishairzay, a home remodeling contractor in Northern Virginia warns not to hesitate to ask questions to make sure the contract is clear. The initial deposit may be paid before the work begins; however, the final payment should not be made until the work is 100% completed to ensure the work is completed in a timely and satisfactory manner.