DH and I deciding on a contractor for bathroom remodeling...

[MomToTwoBoys]

and we're stuck.

Our main bathroom has been in need of some repair for quite some time. After a few incidents with a leaky sink, overflowing toilets from DS5 sticking toys in it when he was younger and a leaky bathtub faucet has prompted us to decide that we need to remodel the main bath soon. We would need to replace everything, but with DH working lots of OT in the summer and me only knowing how to drywall and do paint and baseboarding, we're a little stuck.

We've decided that looking to someone else to do the work for us is our best option. We certainly don't want a Holmes on Homes type situation, so we're extremely cautious about who we choose to come in. We'd like at least three or four quotes before we decide on a good contractor, but we're not sure where to find out about their quality of work and their dependability. Price is certainly a concern of ours and while we'd love to wait until we get the money saved to pay the contractor without going into debt, it looks like that may not be an option for us.

is how I feel right now about having to take out a LOC for bathroom remodeling.

If DH and I did the work ourselves, it'd take us like two months to get it finished. When I mean everything has to be done, that means all new flooring and a new set of tiling for the bathtub. We'd also need to rework the plumbing for a brand new and updated bathroom shower/faucet combination. We're looking to tear out the old vanity and replace it, which means we'd have to possibly re-do the bathroom vent. The ceiling fan (which gets rid of the condensation) needs replacement and the floor needs to be completely replaced. I imagine there's a ton of mold and mildew damage, so we'd need to look at possibly replacing the half bath ceiling and part of the ceiling in the living room.

Has anyone had success with a contractor before? Where's the best place to look for recommendations and possible problems with the contractor in the past (claims of fraud, bankruptcy, etc)? We don't want to spend an arm and a leg to redo the bathroom, so we may also need to price out an inspector and definitely permit costs too.

[phoeny_moonstar]

Well, I can tell you from my own personal experience that I have never had any good luck with contractors. We have been swindled both times we have decided to go with ones. I would check with references, ask to see pictures of before and after the work is completed, see if they are registered with any local organizations, etc. Good luck!!

[The Muse]

We're in the middle of a remodel right now and we're hiring people by the job...plumber, sheetrocker, tiler, etc. We get a free paper each week that has a classifieds section, I call 2-3 of whatever we need, get quotes, check references and go from there.

[MomToTwoBoys]

Yeah, I was actually also thinking of calling and getting quotes from separate people but I wasn't sure if that'd be cheaper than getting just one person to do it.

The thing that I love is that on Holmes on Homes, he has separate guys for everything: plumbing, stucco work, painting, etc. However, those guys are usually there for a day or two to finish the jobs and the show spans over at least a few months or so (and that's just for something like a kitchen remodel).

We also get a free paper each week and I may contact the local branch of the provincial government that deals with fraud cases and the like from home renovations. I just need to find out what that office name is.

[The Muse]

Yeah, I was actually also thinking of calling and getting quotes from separate people but I wasn't sure if that'd be cheaper than getting just one person to do it.

It's costing me a bit over 1/3 less by coordinating it myself. Lucky for me, I'm a project manager by trade, so I've had an easy time planning and coordinating everything.

[pbobber]

I am currently getting contractor quotes on several large projects at my mothers house. I started by asking around. I have a friend who knows everyone (you know the type). I got several suggestions from him. I have another friend that recently remodeled his house. He did most of the work himself but gave me the name of the person who did some work for him. I then started calling and leaving messages. Anyone who didn't return my call within a week was crossed off the list(I feel that having someone that is easy to contact is important). Next I asked if they were licensed/insured. Many aren't and having someone that isn't insured could be costly if someone is injured. Now I am down to 2 contractors from a list of a dozen. I have one quote and am waiting on another. I will probably go with the second if he is in the same price range. When I spoke with him, he was very professional. He offered several suggestions to make the end result better and several suggestions to save money.

[nancycg56]

We went through the same thing when we had our kitchen redone. We finally went through a kitchen design place and they did all the coordination, gave us a calendar of who was coming when and it was the best experience.

Everyone was here when they said they would be and if I had a problem or a question, it was easy to get hold of the coordinator. They were all personable and tried to make the least amount of mess possible.

After our kitchen was done, they came out and did an inspection and found a couple of things they didn't like so they had someone come in and redo.

Before we went with them, I did a lot of research and contacted the BBB and we felt very comfortable. We also got a percentage off if we paid in full at the beginning, which I was NOT thrilled with and wouldn't recommend, but it worked out great for us.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Kazoo]

Great suggestions. I'll just second the recommendations to get multiple bids and ask for proof of licensing and insurance (or check with the government office that licenses contractors; often they have a database).

Then check the BBB database for any complaints. My own preference, after a really bad experience with a contractor, would be for a company that is actually a member of BBB.

Make sure the contractor is familiar with building codes. You don't want to find out after the fact that by moving a divider or pipe a few inches, or putting in a tub that is 10 lb heavier you are no longer up to code.

Get a good contract in place that spells out exact scope of work and terms (e.g., quality of materials to be used, the fact that work will be up to code). Timeline too -- I've heard horror stories of people's remodels being dragged out for a year because contractors got a better project in the meantime.

When it comes to paying, pay in installments, with a big chunk to be paid after the work is done and you've had a chance to look it over and test it. And paying with a credit card might not be a bad idea either, since they might go to bat for you if the work turns out to be faulty.

Remodels can be a lot of fun. Let us know how it works out.

[lilk]

First let me say, that the only contractor I've personally dealt with built our house, but I've heard horror stories. I would ask people you know, who they would recommend, get quoted from all of them, make sure they are licensed and bonded, check out their work.

Get everything in writing, I mean everything! How long will it take, when can they start,what hours do they work, who cleans up. who picks up the vanity and ect.

Do not pay them large sums of money up front!! Pay them in installments. Always,,, Always,,, Always, get a receipt!!!!!!!!

You could also ask the contractor if you and dh, do the demolation , will this will save you money?

I hope this helps. As you can see I'm a worry wart.

[Rosebush3]

Not ever having had to do a remodel, I can't speak from experience.
I don't think a bathroom remodel sounds like a big job, but I could be, and probably am, wrong.
Isn't a contractor just someone who organizes other workers to come into your home? Isn't that something you could do? How about checking into the local codes for yourself and researching, for yourself, the plumber, the electrician, the person who will lay the tile and so on.
I know some contractors have, for lack of a better word this morning, alliances with certain plumbers and such who are not necessarily the best or the most economical choice.
As far as the electrical work, I would have it professionally done, the plumbing I might attempt. The rest of the work, I would definitely be doing myself. It sure would save you some money.

[MomToTwoBoys]

Yeah we had been debating getting quotes from different people and getting the code laws for each portion of the remodel project. We're having an inspector come in and look at the work, plus we're getting the permit ourselves. That way, we know if it's up to code and there won't be issues later on. We'll be taking pictures before, during and after as well.

I found a really great website for the City of Calgary that has all sorts of renovation goodies on it:

http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/...tion_fraud.pdf

This is one of the websites to help protect ourselves against fraud through contractors and builders.

There's also an awesome building permit file I took a good look at.

[Kazoo]

One more thing I learned just yesterday (assuming laws in Canada are similar to those in the U.S.): if your contractor will be purchasing any expensive supplies or fixtures on your behalf, get signed lien releases.

In the case I read about, the poor fellow had some concrete work done and paid the contractor in full. But the contractor never paid the concrete company and is going bankrupt, and now the company is threatening to put a lien against the fellow's house unless he pays them for the concrete (which he already for through the contractor). Apparently, this is legal and permitted in the U.S.!

I gather signed lien releases can prevent this from happening. (So could purchasing your own supplies and fixtures.) Not sure who signs the releases and what exactly they say, but you should be able to find out by checking around.