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| Hiring a professional contractor can save time, money and headaches. |
If the kitchen is the heart of the
home then a kitchen remodel might be considered a heart transplant. You
probably wouldn't perform your own heart surgery, so should you really oversee your
own kitchen remodel? Simple remodels like replacing appliances or having new
flooring installed can easily be handled by even the most novice homeowner, but
a complete remodeling project requires many steps and may include many unwanted
surprises. If you're new to the world of remodeling or you're simply too busy
to oversee every detail of a major remodeling project, hiring a professional
contractor will save time, money and headaches -- or should we make that
heartaches.
What Does a General Contractor Do?
In short, a general contractor is responsible for making sure all aspects of your kitchen remodel are completed on time, on budget and up to code. Specifically, a contractor's job includes:
- Attaining all necessary permits and scheduling relevant inspections
- Ordering the materials needed for the entire project
- Hiring and managing the subcontractors, such as carpenters, plumbers, and painters.
- Communicating with the home owner and architect to provide updates and answer questions
- Making changes to the project when requested by the homeowner
The homeowner can still choose the materials, make all design decisions and make changes as the remodel progresses -- in other words, the homeowner is still in charge. The contractor's job is to juggle all the people, money, purchases, deliveries, legalities and appointments needed to make the homeowner's vision a reality.
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| A general contractor makes sure all aspects of your kitchen remodel are completed on time, on budget and up to code. |
How do I Hire a General Contractor?
Before contacting a contractor you may need to hire the services of an architect, especially if your kitchen remodel includes structural changes like removing walls or adding square footage to the space. If your remodel is less complicated a thorough copy of your plan, complete with preferred materials may be sufficient. Most general contractors can draw up a blueprint based on your complete ideas. A contractor needs a blueprint from which he can estimate costs in order to give you a realistic bid.
Present your project to at least three potential contractors. Getting three or more bids helps ensure you're paying a fair price. Going with the least expensive contractor isn't always the best choice; a contractor that bids low may be inexperienced or desperate for work.
Most contractors are honest, hardworking professionals whose goal is to complete your project in a timely manner, but it's still wise to check a company's reputation before signing a contract. Ask friends and coworkers for recommendations on contractors and use online resources like Yelp or Angie's List to help make your decision.
For more home tips please visit
homechanneltv.com.