Let’s see why the choice of the construction company is the first step to take when renovating!
We know, we’ve said it a million times, renovating your home can become a high source of stress and turn into a true nightmare!
There are really so many things to think about and pay attention to, and if you can’t be there all the time, it all amplifies exponentially, bringing huge bellyaches and heavy losses of money and time.
How can you avoid experiencing the work period badly?
The choice of the right construction company that will put hands on your home is a FUNDAMENTAL thing.
It is a choice that will make a difference both in the final result of the work and in the psychological component you will experience during the entire renovation phase.
Below are some hints on how to choose the right company for you
ON LINE RESEARCH
In the internet age, everything is now at your fingertips!
And it’s really hard for a construction company not to be present in some way on the internet!
PAY ATTENTION, however, to not dwell only on the most appealing website, it’s not enough to choice of the right construction company!
You should know that often the pictures you see on various websites are not photos of jobs actually done by the company, but bought from foreign sites!
In the end, the website is a showcase, and we always try to present ourselves at our best.
If you see crooked photos, perhaps out of focus, then yes, it will be their work; but if you see “magazine” photos, ask yourself questions…
Very few businesses rely on professional photographers to capture their work.
When you see a beautiful picture, go further and read the description to see that it is compatible with the image you just saw…
Focus on the contents; they will give you a first idea of who those construction companies are and what they do.
If they also have social media channels you can follow them and start “knowing them”, you can even interact without any commitment!
Search and evaluate their reviews!
Pay attention to those constructors without reviews, as well as, for those who have them, you have to understand if they are real customers or friends and relatives!!
SPECIALIST VS. GENERALIST
I recommend you avoid those companies that give you an endless list of services!
the longer the list is, the less quality you will have!
It is impossible to excel in everything and guarantee an excellent product or service if you are not specialized!
It is clear that you can find a company that has a highly skilled staff in the various sectors, but it must be specified very well on the site, perhaps in the section OUR TEAM, for example.
Also, remember that a construction company that renovates apartments will hardly do a very high-quality job if you need to renovate a cottage!
The construction company must be chosen based also on the work you have to do.
EVALUATE THE KEY IN HAND SOLUTION
If you choose each master craftsman yourself, you might save something, at least at the budget level, but to do so, remember that you will have to spend a lot of time finding the “right” ones.
Moreover, if they do not know each other, the risk of misunderstandings that will generate errors and delays (resulting in increased costs) is really great.
The construction company surely has workers with whom it collaborates, who will be just as serious; a good company cannot risk “losing face” because of a mistaken collaboration!
And for sure, these professionals already know each other and have definitely already worked together.
Try to understand whether these laborers are subcontracted by the company or whether each has its own costs. Especially try to percieve how many subcontracts there are!
I’ll tell you this because the more steps there will be the higher the final cost will be for you!
BE WARY OF TOO LOW ESTIMATES!
Quality and low prices DO NOT go hand in hand!
it would be nice, but it’s not like that!
the reality is that if you spend little you will get little!
A low share for the job done has 2 implications
– either low quality,
– or at each small variation, the price will magically increase (you know when they tell you “this can’t be done this way, we have to do it like that, but it costs X (ex) more”?)
In the end, the risk is to pay more than what you would have paid using the company that had a higher estimate.
MAKE AN IN-DEPTH MEETING
Once you have identified the one you think could be the right company, make an in-depth meeting!
Prepare a piece of paper with many questions and make them show off their works and reviews!
This will help you to understand how they work and therefore if they are the professionals you were looking for, but also their accountability: if they know how to listen to you, and if they answer all of your questions exhaustively, they will be there if problems arise, taking on responsibility and doing anything to solve them.
Because there may likely be problems during the work, and a company present will really make a difference!
In conclusion, take the time to look for the right company for your needs, don’t be charmed by sites that look too good and quotes that are too low, choose a company that specializes in what you need…
If you need a hand with your renovation don’t hesitate to contact me!