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Ten Questions to Ask a Contractor’s Previous Customers
 
Hiring a professional remodeling contractor may take time, but the chance of shoddy work, excessive costs and legal irritations should deter homeowners from snap decisions.

While homeowners evaluate professionals to complete a remodel, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) recommends they ask the following questions of the contractor’s previous customers:
 
1. Were they able to communicate well with the remodeler?
2. Were they pleased with the quality of work? (This is a tough question because everyone defines “quality” differently.)
3. Were they satisfied with the remodeler’s business practices?
4. Did the crew show up on time?
5. Were they comfortable with the tradespeople the remodeler subcontracted to?
6. Was the job completed on schedule?
7. Did the remodeler fulfill his or her contract?
8. Did the remodeler stay in touch throughout the project?
9. Were the final details finished in a timely manner?
10. Would you use the remodeler again without hesitation?
 
If not satisfied with the answers, the homeowner is urged to keep looking until he or she finds a remodeling contractor who instills a sense of confidence.

With more than 7,000 member companies nationwide, NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a code of ethics. Consumers can call the NARI National hotline at 800-611-NARI to request the brochure, “How to Select a Remodeling Professional,” or visit www.RemodelToday.com and click on the homeowner’s guide for more information.

For a complete list of verified contractors, see our Verified Directory.