Communicating With Your Contractor

Last Updated on January 6, 2020

Communicating with a potential contractor can be as delicate as communicating with your doctor. No, contractors don’t save lives like doctors do, but they are tasked with taking your dream, your mental image of what you want your home to be and make it happen – and not just built well, but with your wallet in mind.

Describing the needs your soon-to-be-remodeled room needs might take a similar tone to describing your symptoms to a doctor – or at least they should. Making sure that you inform the prospective contractor of every nook and cranny you intend on re-doing. Of course, as a good doctor might warn you, not every desire can be fulfilled. Each room has its own unique limitations, but finding a contractor who can take what you’re giving him and build the closest iteration of your perceived remodel then you might have found yourself a winner.

Stay away from contractors who ask for large sums of money up front, especially before the planning phase has yet to be completed – there is no way to know that the job will be what you wanted. This rings doubly true for contractors with limited reviews or history of work. I’m not saying you should fall in love with your contractor, but being able to comfortably work together is an absolute must.

If it’s cabinets, make sure you show where you want the doors to open, the shelving arrangements, and how much room to leave between the countertop and cabinets.

For countertops, let the contractor know the exact distance from the top of the drawers and the lip of the counter that you desire. Also let them know the length of the lip overhang. These little details need to be ironed out with the contractor first.

Windows and room additions need to be carefully mapped out, piece by piece, while holding the contractor’s hand. You want the measurements to be dream-worthy.

Remodeling can be expensive, and just like many almost set in stone decisions you want to make it a good one. From the moment you reach out, be specific and don’t waver. You know what you want. Make sure you get the best possible service, fastest installation, and best looking end product you can.