Remodeling a bathroom will give you one of the biggest returns per dollar spent so whether you are looking for a simple update or a complete over hall you will get your money’s worth when it comes time to sell your home.   The average cost of remodeling a bathroom ranges from $6,500 to $11,500 when you are redoing everything. Of course that number can easily be lowered if you are doing a simple update or can go much higher if you are choosing high end features.

Unless you are doing a simple change like changing faucets, hardware, or even a toilet you most likely are going to want to hire  a professional.  With so many choices of who to hire there are a few basics you should know beforehand. If you are doing a full renovation and redesign of the room you want to make sure you hire someone who has knowledge with bathrooms. Find someone who is a member of the   National Kitchen & Bath Association. There are also thousands of individuals certified by NKBA as Certified Kitchen Designers and/or Certified Bathroom Designers. Meet with several people until you find someone who sees your vision and understands your budget and desires for this room. Meeting with a few people will also allow you to get estimates for what the job will cost.

After you have a design the next step is to get contractors who will be the ones actually doing the job. If you are dealing with a NKBA designer they will most likely do this for you but if you are not using a designer then it is up to you to find the contractors to do the job. When hiring a contractor you need to make sure that they are licensed, bonded,  and insured. You will want to have them provide you with references from previous clients. Anyone who hesitates doing so should automatically not be considered for the job.  Do not go out and hire the first contractor you contact, talk to at least 2 or 3 and get estimates from each. Make sure to ask the contractor as well as your county if you need permits for the job. If the county tells you yes and the contractor says no, again automatically stop doing business with them. Also check with the BBB and your state’s attorney general to see if there have been any complaints about the contractor. Keep note as to whether the contractor or designer is punctual for your first meeting. If they are late that may be a sign of what is to come in the future in times of completing the project in a timely manner.

Make sure that the payment schedule is clear. Do not ever pay upfront for the project. Most reputable contractors will ask for 1/3 to 1/2 of the payment up front, another 1/3 or so when large items like tubs, showers, or cabinetry is delivered, and the remaining balance when the job is completed.  You can also consider purchasing the tub, sink, cabinets, etc… directly yourself  if you feel more comfortable.

When it comes to the electrical work make sure there are GFCI ( Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters ) outlets installed anywhere near where water especially around tubs and sinks. These outlets will prevent electric shock from occurring. The breaker will shut off if and when there is exposure to water.

Once hired it is a good idea to meet every morning when the foreman for the job arrives to see what is to be accomplished that day and if they or you have any questions or issues to be resolved. Follow the progress of the job closely and make sure you bring up issues as you see them and do not wait until it is too late to fix. If you do not like the paint color or tile you pick out, be vocal, you are the one who will have to live with the room the way that it is. It is much easier to pull up one or two tiles rather than the whole floor. Remember you are the boss and in charge of the project so do not be afraid to ask questions along the way and enjoy your new bathroom!

By Steven Gillman

A very smart attorney I know paid $7,000 for a roof repair, only to have the roof leak the next time it rained. The contractor stalled, made excuses, but never did a thing about it. Anyone can have these kinds of problems when having repairs or improvements done, but to make it less likely, avoid the folowing mistakes when hiring a contractor.

1. Not knowing what you want. If you don’t know what you want, you might not like what you get. Also, if you change your mind and change the job halfway through, the contract – and price – have changed (Hint: it won’t get cheaper). Know clearly what you want done.

2. Not getting everything in writing. You don’t want to hear, “I didn’t say I was going to include the gutters.”

3. Not having dates in the contract. Did you want it finished this year? You better have it in the contract.

4. Paying too much up front. A deposit may be a reasonable request when the contract is signed, and money for materials prior to the start date. Never pay in full before the job is finished.

5. Hiring unlicensed contractors. Actually, this can be okay, if you know what you are doing (and he does). The license doesn’t mean you get expertise, but it does mean you get leverage. A contractor will right his wrongs to avoid losing that license.

6. Hiring the first one in the phone book. Ask friends who had work done, or the owner of a hardware store. Find a recommendation based on a similar job to yours.

7. Thinking there will be no problems. Weather delays, employees quitting, and more will happen. Having problems is okay, but it’s not okay if the contractor can’t work out the issues to your satisfaction.

8. Expecting neatness. Believe it or not, it is sometimes efficient to leave things laying where they’ll next be used. There will be messes, so prepare accordingly. Cover things if it will be a dusty job, for example. Also be clear in the contract that the jobsite will be cleaned up at the end of the job.

9. Not having penalties in the contract. This is important on large jobs. It’s one thing to say “Work to be completed by May 2nd,” but better to add, “$100 per day to be deducted from the contract price for each day the job is unfinished beyond May 2nd.” That’s what I call a motivational clause.

10. Thinking contracts will prevent problems. They help, but unreasonable people on either side of a contract can ignore them, or use “literal readings” to make things even worse. Find someone you can work with, and keep your eyes open.

Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, and to see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Gillman
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hiring-A-Contractor—10-Mistakes-To-Avoid&id=47760
Find a Local Top Rated Contractor
If you are looking for a qualified contractor please be sure to follow our links below. These companies offer you a great service in which they match local rated contractors where they have checked their references, licensing,insurance and backgrounds. They have already done some of the most difficult parts when finding a contractor. All you have to do is fill out a form and they will contact 4 qualified contractors to contact you about your home improvement project. Always be sure to follow the basic best practices when communicating with a contractor.

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Calfinder.com get bids from qualifying contractors.

Find a contractor for your next Additions or Remodeling projects. Contractors.com a great website and service of course free

Service Magic The industry leader in home service contractors

Find thousands of unbiased ratings on services for home improvements, car repairs, and more. Try Angie’s List. Not free but deserves mentioning for their unbiased reviews of contractors.

By Ken Lutz

Finding a competent and reliable contractor is the first step to a successful and satisfying home improvement project. Get a recommendation from friends or family, but also check them out on the Better Business Bureau along with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of members in your area. You can also ask your local building inspector, they will know which contractors routinely meet code requirements.

TIP #1 – Please show me all your credentials

Yes, you would be surprised at how many contractors do not have there licenses or insurance up to date. (Remember they are feeling the pinch of these economic times too), and of course the good contractors know not to let something like this slide. Every state or county has different rules, but most require a license and insurance, please ask to see both, and ask where you can verify it. Make sure they present a certificate of insurance prior to starting the job.

TIP # 2 – How many and how long have you been a GC?

GC stands for General Contractor. Ask them for references to some of there earlier jobs, and give them a call and make sure the “job” has stood the test of time! Also it is wiser to have a contractor who has been in business for 7-20 years, this will have given him sufficient time to weed out the subcontractors that are not up to par, along with maintaining a reputation in the community. Of course a newer contractor, that has worked many years as a foreman and is breaking out on his own, will hopefully work with you on price, and should have the knowledge to get the job done… correctly!

TIP # 3 – Speaking of the Job Foreman!

The GC, may actually be the owner, or a salesman. It is the job foreman, that will be there day in and day out at your home. Ask to go see the jobsite of the foreman that will be working on your job. Go see it towards the end of there day, and see how clean it is at the end of the day. (hopefully they clean up!)

TIP # 4 – Bid and estimate or a fixed price?

Double check and make sure you are getting a fixed price and not an estimate from the contractor. If they claim there are too many unknowns, then within reason, let them eliminate them. Any unknowns that are left, leave to the side and have the work done later with a change order. Also very important is to have your bid itemized. You need to know the type of wood they will be using, the grade of the cabinets. The GC should not give you a hard time about itemization because they need to know down to the penny what it will cost line by line.

LovingCharlotte is a team of experienced REALTORs based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Thinking of purchasing a home in the Charlotte NC Real Estate market? The LovingCharlotte Team specializes in North and South Charlotte, along with Fort Mill, SC!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Lutz
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hiring-a-Contractor?-Some-Good-Questions-to-Ask-Before-You-Hire!&id=3564825

Find a Local Top Rated Contractor
If you are looking for a qualified contractor please be sure to follow our links below. These companies offer you a great service in which they match local rated contractors where they have checked their references, licensing,insurance and backgrounds. They have already done some of the most difficult parts when finding a contractor. All you have to do is fill out a form and they will contact 4 qualified contractors to contact you about your home improvement project. Always be sure to follow the basic best practices when communicating with a contractor.

Five Star Services

Calfinder.com get bids from qualifying contractors.

Find a contractor for your next Additions or Remodeling projects. Contractors.com a great website and service of course free

Service Magic The industry leader in home service contractors

Find thousands of unbiased ratings on services for home improvements, car repairs, and more. Try Angie’s List. Not free but deserves mentioning for their unbiased reviews of contractors.