If you have hired a bathroom remodeler, then you may be excited to work with them. This is great, but you do need to make sure that you are not inadvertently affecting their work. If you want to make sure that your contractor is doing the best job that they can do, then this guide will help you to have the smoothest experience possible.
The first thing that you need to avoid is trying to haggle the price after a quote has been given. If you think that the price you have been offered is too high, then you are more within your right to seek out another contractor. That being said, you should not try and haggle the contractor you are working with. The main reason for this is because most contractors will try and give you an accurate quote. If they lower it, you may find that you end up paying more anyway at a later date and this is the last thing that you need. Some contractors have training that allows them to fit more complex materials, and sometimes this is the experience that you’re paying for.
Sure, it makes sense to hire an electrician to fit your bathroom lights while you have a plumber working on your shower, but you have to remember that this will make each job harder to do. The plumber may have tools lying around to do their job, and the electrician may need to ensure that the area they’re working in is clear of any water and hazards. Hiring two contractors at the same time is just never a good idea. If you need to get many different jobs done, then simply make sure that you hire a provider who can take care of it all for you, to prevent any conflict.
It happens, sometimes you come up with a new idea or you simply change your mind about the tiles you have chosen. That being said, there’s a high chance that the contractor has paid for the tiles from the supplier already. Just because you haven’t paid yet, doesn’t mean that they are not going to be out of pocket if you change your mind. Some contractors will work with you if you want to change minor details regarding your bathroom design, if it is in the earlier stages. Others will just add fees on to cover the change, but either way, it helps to make sure that you are set on your idea before pushing forward.
It can be interesting to watch a contractor work, but at the end of the day it can also be stressful for the person who is doing the job. After all, they have a lot to concentrate on and they also have measurements to take. If you stand there and watch them, then this can be off-putting, and it can make it harder for them to get the job done according to your budget and the timeline that’s been set. The best thing that you can do is give your contractor space, and offer them a cup of coffee from time to time to keep them hydrated.
If you tell a contractor, before they are even able to give you their opinion on an installation, that you are going with the lowest bid then this will stifle your chat. You may find that the contractor can’t offer you any suggestions regarding your bathroom and that you put undue pressure on them. Simply sit down with multiple contractors, see what they offer and then make your judgement as to which price you want to pay. Remember you are hiring professionals who care deeply about their work and the result they are able to obtain, and if you are only focused on the cost alone, you may end up getting someone who’s not as experienced or diligent in their approach.
If you have young children, then they may be excited about the prospect of having people in the home. That being said, you need to make sure that they do not enter the workspace unattended. If they need to go to the bathroom during a bathroom remodel, simply ask the contractors if this is possible and then take them. Children running around a worksite is a hazard for the contractor and for your child, so it is imperative that you do your bit to keep them safe while the work is being carried out.
If a contractor tells you that the job can be done in a month, or if they are giving you regular updates that correspond to the agreed timeline, then you need to try and respect this. Contractors, especially professional ones, are often very busy. They may even have multiple projects on the go at once, so it is not always possible to get to yours before the timeline they have set. If the weather has been particularly hazardous, then this can push installations back because it is harder to acquire materials and it is also much more difficult to get to the job site on time. If the company are doing their bit and if they are informing you properly then you shouldn’t push for the job to be done faster. As long as the company are sticking to the agreed time when you took the quote, you have nothing to worry about. Contractors are often busy professionals, and when the time comes for them to start your project, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that they aren’t going to leave you in favor of someone who is pushing for them to work on theirs.
So, if you can follow this guide when hiring bathroom remodels, you can be sure to have a way more positive experience and you will also be able to give the contractors you’re hiring the chance to do their job properly.
Proud father and husband. A big comic book nerd and sweets are my kryptonite. I fell in love with the remodeling industry in 2008 and it's held a tight grip on me ever since.
