fIND THE RIGHT RENOVATOR OR HOME STAGER

Once you have set your renovation/staging goals and priorities, you need to find the right contractor/stager to carry out your project. The type of renovation/staging professional you need will depend on what’s involved in your project.

• For simple projects involving only one activity such as replacement of roofing, siding or
windows, a specialized trade contractor or contract installer may be best.

• If your project involves changes to your heating, electrical or plumbing systems, you
should consult a licensed trade contractor.

• For renovation projects that will involve more than one trade or require structural
changes to your home, you should look for a general renovation contractor who can
manage all aspects of the work, including development of detailed plans.

Regardless of the type of work involved in your project, you need to make sure that any contractor you hire has the necessary skill and experience to do the job right. Professional contractors run their businesses properly have a track record of satisfied customers and will provide you with customer references upon request.

Use our “MEMBERS” list to find contractors/stagers in your community. You can also often get contractor/stagers leads from friends and neighbors who have carried out renovations/staging similar to what you plan.

It is important to interview any prospective contractor/stager and discuss your project in detail before deciding who to hire.

INTERVIEWING RENOVATION & HOME STAGING CONTRACTORS

Once you have identified a prospective contractor/stager, you need to meet this person to discuss your project. The initial interview will help you determine if the contractor/stager is qualified to handle your project, how they relate to you as a prospective customer and what they can offer in terms if ideas and guidance in developing a detailed plan for the work.

In the case of larger or more complex renovations/staging, the rapport between you and your contractor/stager can be particularly important to the success of the project. Use the interview to assess how well you and the contractor communicate and if your questions are answered directly and fully.

During the interview it is important that you ask lots of questions so that you learn as much as possible about the contractor, their past experience and how they operate their business.

To get a list of some general questions you should ask prospective

CHECKING REFERENCES

Professional contractors/stager are in the service business. A significant part of the value they provide lies in their ability to communicate with, and satisfy, their customers. That’s why it is important for you to ask for customer references. Then follow-up and contact these homeowners-surprisingly, many homeowners who ask for references never actually check them.

Talking with a contractor’s/stagers past customers can give you unique insight into how a contractor/stager performs on the job. Don’t feel that you are imposing-if the homeowners were not willing to talk with you, the contractor/stager would not have provided their names. Always follow up on these references and if they live local, some may even allow you to view the work that was completed. Explore ever avenue before going ahead with your project.