When you’re planning an Ozark, MO bathroom remodeling project, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to hire a contractor. Before you make an agreement with anyone, make sure you’re making the right choice.  

Money shouldn’t be the sole factor you consider. If someone is offering their services for an extremely low price, it’s for a reason. Is it because they’re just starting out and they’re trying to build up their clientele? Or is it because they’ve burned their previous customers?  

Do your due diligence. You’re going to spend a huge amount of time in your home. It should be as comfortable as possible. A shoddy construction job will detract from your enjoyment. 

Talk to Friends  

Recommendations from trusted sources are the most valuable. If your uncle Joe was happy with a contractor’s work, chances are that you will be as well.  

So, when you’re ready to start interviewing contractors, talk to everyone you know who has ever hired someone to work on their house. Even if you don’t end up with a useful recommendation, you might get some advice.  

Pick up a Budget 

You and your contractor have opposing interests. You want to save as much money as possible while he wants to fatten his profits. You should enter the negotiation with a firm number in mind that you don’t you want to go over. Otherwise, you might be persuaded to spend more than you really want to.  

Check out Their Work  

An experienced contractor should be able to show you examples of their work. Pay attention although there are no guarantees that the examples you’re being shown aren’t outliers.  

You can also ask to speak to previous clients. A brief phone call or email should be enough to get the information you need.  

Set a Payment Schedule  

Decide in advance how payments will be handled. It’s unusual for a contractor to ask for an initial deposit of more than 10-20%. The rest of the payments are generally spaced out for the rest of the project.  

If your contractor asks for more money upfront, it could be a sign that they’re experiencing financial difficulties. It’s up to you if you want to work with someone in that condition.  

Put in Writing 

None of your agreements matter unless you put them writing. Verbal contracts are very difficult to enforce. The contract should explicitly detail every part of your arrangement. For instance, what happens if there are unexpected delays? Will you be charged additional labor costs? This is the kind of detail that needs to be worked out in advance. You don’t want to take a chance with a project this big or this costly. You want to have everything out there and in writing. 

Lifemark Bath & Home / Window Depot of the Ozarks can assist you with your Ozark, MO bathroom remodeling. Our dedicated sales team understands modern design trends. Give us a call at (417)881-5433. We’d love to schedule an appointment with you to discuss your plans. We’re conveniently located at 620 N Prince Ln, Springfield, MO 65802.