There is nothing more frightening than selecting a company to upgrade or remodel your home or property.

Imagine you just come back from your honeymoon and want to start working on revamping your little nest.

It can be stressful, and very much expensive if you don’t tackle it right. If you used one of the wedding gift registries (such as Target wedding registry), you may be excited now to see how all these items will stack up in your home.

Still, it’s best to take some time investigating.

The internet is filled with horror stories from folks who made the wrong choice. We have compiled a list of helpful tips to help you avoid that situation.

  • Jack of all trades

You must know the type of contractor you need. Does the job require a specialty contractor (professional in this area of work)?. By determining if the contractor focuses on high end remodels or only does basic work, you will find the right fit. This also allows you to compare prices with like vendors.

Just because a contractor has a good reputation for room additions, for example, does not automatically mean they can remodel the kitchen where they will work with water, plumbing, and electricity. If you need a kitchen remodeler, are they experienced with modern vessels and faucets, like a waterfall faucet, for example?

  • Ask for recommendations

Check with Pro Desks located inside your home and garden stores. Ask your supply vendors for local companies they do business with. Ask friends, family, and co-workers. Make a list based on these respected recommendations and begin to gather quotes.

Your home remodelers should be modern, yet with experience. The industry should not be anywhere remote to them when it comes to your home.

Imagine you are also considering to add a cell tower lease as a passive income way to repay your home. Your home remodeler can help you disguise it so it doesn’t stick out that much, but only if they’ve heard of it.

  • Check their standing with the Better Business Bureau

Check and see if they have had disputes and complaints filed against them and how they resolved them. It is not impossible for even a very good contractor to have a misunderstanding with a client. But how they responded and the end results will give you an idea of their standards.

  • Ask for a breakdown of the quotes

It is important to know how much of your investment is going into the materials being added to your home. Of course, the company deserves to be compensated for their work. You simply need to know if you are buying quality materials.

  • Don’t be scammed

Check with your State Register of contractors and request certificates of insurance before you allow any work to begin. The contractor you choose should be insured, licensed and bonded. If they are not, do not hire them. This is a sure sign of a scammer or an unqualified company trying to work “off the books”.

  • Are they willing to work with you?

Ask the contractor what they are willing to do and if they have any problem with you doing part of the work yourself. Do you want to do your own painting and finishing to save some money? Whatever you want to do yourself should be discussed. Find out how much it will really save you financially and compare that with the time it will take for you to complete it and do your own clean-up.

  • Do not buy based only on price

If someone comes in with a quote that is substantially lower than other contractors in the area for the same work, something is wrong. Either they are using substandard materials, cutting corners on the job, or they do not know how to properly determine costs of the projects. You are better off to avoid their issues.

Use caution if the contractor asks for payment of more than 50% upfront. Some states allow a contractor to only ask for ⅓ upfront. Asking for a deposit ensures that you will not cost the contractor money by delaying the job once it is scheduled. Asking for a deposit protects them. If you have done your homework and feel you have a quality and upstanding contractor, a 50% deposit is reasonable for a job up to $10,000. If the job is substantially more, make sure they have detailed invoicing and expect to pay approximately 25% upfront.