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 licenses.

A handyman or casual remodeler won’t have a license. However, 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, and 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.