For many homeowners, the most challenging part of an Indianapolis bathroom remodel isn’t the work itself; it’s finding a trustworthy, competent, and reliable contractor. Installing cabinets, knocking down a wall or retiling the shower is effortless compared to the struggle of hiring quality contractors who perform at a high level from beginning to end.

Everyone has heard horror stories about contractors who tore apart the bathroom then never returned or projects that ultimately cost three times the original estimate.

Here are a few steps to find the right contractor while sticking to your budget and maintaining your sanity.

Indianapolis Bathroom Remodel Things to Think About

Have an idea of what you want before asking for estimates. Begin with the end in mind. You’ll be given a more accurate estimate if you can be more specific about what you want and with what materials.

Ask people you trust for references. People in your circle who have completed similar projects are a resource. If you know people in the industry, ask them as well.

Ask what work will be completed by the employees and what will be completed by subcontractors. Asking for a list of employees can confirm a contractor has the employees they claim and won’t be using casual laborers hired from the local temp agency or even off the street.

Choose the right contractor for the job. Just because someone did a great job installing cabinets in your neighbor’s kitchen, they aren’t necessarily the right person to tile your bathroom. You want to find a contractor that routinely does the work you want done. Don’t be their guinea pig.

Always check licenses. General contractors and the majority of subcontractors should be licensed. The procedure varies by city and state so do your research. Ask the contractor for a copy of his licenses and those of any subcontractors they intend to use.

Verify insurance coverages. Know what your homeowner’s insurance covers and what your contractor’s business insurance covers. Be sure to get a copy of the contractor’s insurance policy.

Check references, complaints, and online reviews. Speak with past clients or even better, current clients as they will have the most recent experience. Speak with subcontractors they have worked with and ask if they were paid on time (reliability). Check for complaints on the Better Business Bureau. It’s ok to have a reasonable amount of complaints if it shows they were resolved. Online reviews on sites such as Angie’s List, Yelp and Google can be beneficial as well.

Only sign a detailed contract. Make sure the contract is specific about what will be done. Make sure it includes deadlines, progress payments (if they apply), the exact materials to be used (down to the model number) and what materials will be provided by who. If it’s not documented, it will be word versus word. If the contract is not detailed enough, you could write your own or even provide addendums. Any change at all in the project, whether a change of mind about products or additional projects, should be in writing, including the new work, materials, and cost.

Lay the ground rules. Determine what hours of the day and what days the contractor can do the work, how much notice you’ll get, which bathroom the workers can use and what cleanup is expected at the end of the workday.

In short, if you live in the Indianapolis area and are looking to do an Indianapolis bathroom remodel, there are a lot of things to consider.  If you have any questions, please reach out to us to receive an in person bathroom consultation by one of our team’s experts.