When you first think about a home renovation company, you probably think only of one thing: They are all highly trained contractors who charge high prices and provide DIY home renovations. But there’s Renovation RM is a more to a quality home renovation company than just that. Homeowners need to think carefully about who they hire, what their expectations are for the project, how they plan on paying the contractor, and what kind of work they want done. All of these things can make a huge difference in the overall quality of the job that is done. And it is important for homeowners to know the background and history of the people who will be working on their home. There are a few ways to do this, including:

Hiring general contractors to do everything in the house, from floor to ceiling, is something of an outdated practice. It is far more effective and more cost-effective, to hire a team of subcontractors who specialize in different areas of the home renovation project. These specialists can include plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters, carpet cleaners, landscapers, masons, and many more. Because of the specialization and experience of the subcontractors, they tend to perform better than general contractors would, which makes it easier to find the right products, get the price that you want, and to get the project done in a timely fashion.

One way that homeowners can find out the history of a potential home renovation company is by asking for referrals from people who have recently had similar work done. For example, if you are interested in having a new roof put on your house, ask friends or family who recently had a roof replacement if they can recommend anyone that they used. You could also check with the Better Business Bureau or the consumer fraud office at your local courthouse to see if there are any complaints filed against a company. However, before contacting these organizations, make sure to do some basic research of your own. Even if they have stellar reviews, finding out that there are a lot of complaints about them beforehand can be a big red flag.

Once you have narrowed your list of possible contractors down to two or three candidates, arrange face-to-face meetings with them. This gives you the opportunity to discuss your renovation project in detail. Find out exactly how long it will take, what the cost estimates are, and what time frames you should expect to have the work completed. Be sure to get an idea of the contractors’ overall work history, as well as their response to your inquiries. For example, if you request that they send you pre-scheduled pictures, make sure to take note of what day those pictures were taken. Before signing any contract, read it carefully to make sure you understand it.

Once you’ve met with a few contractors, get together with a group of homeowners to discuss the project. Ask each group for referrals to other homeowners who they have hired in the past. Most homeowners will be happy to help give you recommendations, especially if you have been treated well by a specific contractor during your visit. However, do not allow this single meeting to be the only time you meet with a contractor. Schedule another meeting a week or so later, simply to confirm that all the information you gathered from the first meeting is accurate.

Once you’ve found a home renovation or home remodel team that interests you, ask them for a written quote on a standard estimate form. In most instances, they will provide you with a standard estimate in hand that outlines the cost of your requested work. Don’t accept this estimate blindly; take time to think it over. For example, if you request a new roof but the quote doesn’t mention the cost of electrical work, don’t hire the crew unless you are absolutely sure that the work will cost under $300. While it is true that hiring an experienced home renovation team is likely to result in better quality work, it’s also true that inexperienced workers can come up with a less-than-standard price tag.