For many, choosing a great bathroom remodeling contractor in Denver (or anywhere else) is a daunting task. We hope the following tips will help you navigate the process and distinguish between trustworthy, reliable, quality contractors and those who might rip you off or perform shoddy work.
1 – Research Potential Contractors
In Denver, the best places to research contractors are the Better Business Bureau, TeamDaveLogan.com, and ReferralList.com. These resources are great because they have strict, quality guidelines for businesses to be listed. Other public listing sites with reviews, such as Google, Yahoo, Yelp, etc., are also useful.
2 – Contact References
Ask potential contractors for a list of references – prior customers who you can actually speak with to gauge what a typical experience would be like with that contractor. Questions to ask these references include:
- Did they show up everyday?
- Were the same people there everyday?
- Did they clean up every night?
- Did any issues arise? If so, were they dealt with swiftly and to your satisfaction?
- What was the schedule of payments – divided up or lump sum?
- Were you satisfied with the quality?
3 – Understand that Quality and Speed Comes with a Price
As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. If you are looking for high quality work that is completed quickly, you should expect to pay a premium. A low bid undoubtedly means that quality and/or speed will be compromised for your project. The average labor costs for remodeling a 5 x 7 bathroom are between $12-15K, so if your bid is lower than that, beware of poor quality or a remodeling project that may drag on endlessly.
4 – Ask about Scheduling
How does the contractor work? Does the contractor work only on your project until done? Or does the contractor schedule multiple jobs at once and jump around from one to another? Will the contractor work during the weekdays or only on weekends? How long will the project take to complete?
All About Kitchens and Baths Inc. is proud to work exclusively on one project at a time, which we finish completely before moving on to the next job. Our remodel projects typically last between 15-20 business days, depending on the project scope.
5 – Discuss Change Orders with the Contractor
Beware of contractors that low-ball your bid, then come in after demo and require change orders due to “unforeseen” issues. These change orders mean a higher cost for you than was originally quoted. Too often we hear stories where contractors say, “Oh, Mrs. Smith. We found plumbing that we’re going to have to move – and it’s going to cost you an extra 1500 bucks.” Since the contractor has already begun the work, your options are limited and you end up paying more money.
All About Kitchens and Baths Inc. does our best to anticipate potential problems with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, subfloor, etc. when we visit your site to prepare our estimate. We are experienced with remodeling Denver homes of all ages and in all areas. We understand how these homes were constructed and what lies behind the walls. There is the rare occasion that an issue may arise that we absolutely could not have accounted for (such as prior remodel work that was done poorly), and we would promptly bring this to your attention and make a plan that satisfies everyone. The only changes we do not account for are change orders requested by the customer, such as layout changes or adding features like pocket doors, additional lighting, vent fans, etc.
