Hiring A Home Remodeling Contractor? 5 Things You NEED To Know

July 1st, 2022 | 7 min. read

So, you’re preparing to start a home remodeling project and need to find a contractor.

Whether you need foundation repair, want to remodel your primary bathroom, or replace your exterior siding, hiring the right remodeling contractor can be tricky.

If you haven’t worked with a professional home remodeling contractor in a while, you may have unrealistic expectations for the cost and overall quality of work from a contractor.

Some assumptions you have may be:

All contractors’ work is the same
Expensive contractors just want your money
Hiring a professional may not be worth it
….Should I just do this myself?

You find yourself falling down a rabbit hole of worry and hesitation to hire a contractor.

That’s where we come in.

Southwest Exteriors has been a home remodeling contractor in San Antonio since 1989. Because we’ve been around for so long, we are familiar with the tactics some faulty contractors use to make a sale and how things have changed over the years.

The home remodeling industry is not the same as it was 30 years ago. It’s not even the same as it was three years ago.

So, if you want to hire a professional home remodeling contractor for your project, there are a few things you must be aware of.

We want to help you understand how things have changed and what to expect when working with a professional remodeling contractor.

This article will explain five things you need to know about hiring a home remodeling contractor in 2022.

After reading this article, you will have realistic expectations for finding the right company for your project. Then, you can find the best contractor to fit your needs and have a successful outcome for your project.

5 things you need to know about hiring a home remodeling contractor in 2022

Maybe you had remodeling done on your home years ago when you first bought your house.

Or maybe you’ve never worked with a professional contractor before and decided this is the project to do it.

No matter the circumstances, you want to be as prepared as possible and know what to expect when hiring a home remodeling contractor. Everyone likes to feel prepared, right?

Here we will dive into five things you need to know before hiring a home remodeling contractor. They are:

Inflation has increased the cost of products and services
Cost and quality of products and services have a direct relationship
Not all remodeling contractors are created equal
Research and asking questions are crucial
Trust your gut feeling

Let’s explain each of these more so you can understand why they are important to know when looking for a home remodeling contractor.

1. Inflation has increased the cost of products and services

The first thing you must understand is the rise in the cost of products and services in the home remodeling industry.

Like with any product available, the cost rises over time. This is important to remember, especially if you have not had remodeling done to your home in a while.

Know that the cost of your project is going to be more than it would have been even just a few years ago.

If you get a quote for your project and decide it is too expensive for you to take on at the moment, also remember that the next time you get a quote, it will be even more expensive. You can then find a company that provides payment plan options to make the total cost of your project less intimidating and save you money in the future.

2. Cost and quality of services have a direct relationship

After understanding that cost in the home remodeling industry continues to rise, the next thing you must understand is the direct relationship between cost and quality.

The least expensive products and services will never be the most high-quality. This means that if you are expecting to remodel your home once and have it last a lifetime, you will have to pay more.

You cannot choose the least expensive option and expect the best products, installation, and quality of service from a company.

3. Not all contractors are created equal

Choosing between two or more contractors can be difficult. You are trying to remember what products they carry, how much they cost, what their warranty is, and so much more.

When trying to choose the right contractor, it’s important you remember that not all contractors are created equal. What do we mean by this?

In recent years during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for home remodeling exponentially rose. This made the barrier of entry for new companies extremely easy.

You may meet with a contractor that just started their business this year, and you may meet with another that has been in business for decades.

As you compare contractors trying to make the right choice, it’s crucial you don’t make assumptions about one company because of how another, more experienced company operates. This is crucial when comparing the price of one contractor to another.

A less expensive company may tell you they use the same products and processes as the more expensive company for half the price. This is a red flag.

As we outlined in point #2, cost and quality have a direct relationship. If a less expensive contractor assures you their work is the same as a more expensive one, do you trust that?

Newer companies do not have the same credibility as companies that have been locally established in your community. While they may produce quality work, the business may not survive another year if they just started a year or two ago.

This is why you must be cautious when meeting with new companies. Remember that not all contractors are created equal.

4. Researching and asking questions are crucial

The fourth most important thing you must be aware of when looking for the right contractor is how crucial researching and asking questions is.

The more educated you are on the products you want, installation practices, warranty, and general information about a company, the better you will know if they will meet your needs for your project.

You must look at the online presence of a contractor, their website, social media, and reviews to get an idea of their values and what kind of work they produce. You want to have an idea of who they are before you decide to even meet with them.

Then, when you meet with a contractor, you want to prepare the right questions. You want to ask about their installation practices and warranty to know they know what they are doing and do it well.

Researching your project and a contractor beforehand and asking the right questions will ensure you choose a company that will meet your needs and helps you avoid a faulty contractor.

5. Always trust your gut feeling

The last thing to keep in mind when looking for a home remodeling contractor is to always trust your gut.

Whether you're in the research stage of a company or have already met with them, if something doesn't feel right, don't ignore that feeling.

Do not let a company convince or pressure you to work with them.

If you have a questionable feeling about a contractor, the last thing you want is to regret giving them your money and ending up with a botched job you have to fix a few years later.

Finding the right home remodeling contractor for your project

Now you know five crucial things to keep in mind when looking for a home remodeling contractor in 2022.

Remember that the cost of home remodeling products and services continues to rise over time. Your home remodeling project will cost more today than it did yesterday.

On top of that, know that cost and quality have a direct relationship. The least expensive contractor will never be the highest quality one.

You must research and ask the right questions in order to choose a trustworthy contractor. Always trust your gut feeling if something doesn’t feel right about a company.

Keep these five things in mind when researching and starting a home remodeling project.

After reading this article, you have the right knowledge in place to begin looking for the right company for your project. But, how exactly do you do that?

Check out this article that outlines three steps to find the right home remodeling contractor for you. Then, you’ll have the right knowledge and tools in place to find a company that will meet your needs for your project.

Are you looking for a home remodeling contractor you can trust?

Southwest Exteriors offers high-quality window, siding, and door replacements, as well as exterior painting and concrete coating.

Serving you with love and excellence is our top priority. When you work with us, you create a lifelong relationship with us.

Our professional installation teams follow the best practices for all projects, and our lifetime warranty ensures we’ll take care of you for as long as you own your home.

Ready to start your next project? Schedule your free, in-home consultation with a design consultant today!