Spring into remodel, repair season – Now is the time for remodeling and repairs, but look before leaping into it
By Rebecca Troyer 331-4243 | rtroyer@heraldt.com
Herald-Times
May 1, 2011
For many homeowners, springtime means remodeling time — updating a bathroom, finishing that room over the garage or adding a screened-in porch.
Warm weather also brings out door-to-door scam artists, fly-by-night so-called “contractors” who try to lure gullible homeowners into paying for home improvements but have no intention of doing the work. Seniors, those who live alone and victims of weather-related damage, are the most common targets of these frauds.
But even a reasonably informed consumer can run into trouble when it comes to hiring a home remodeling contractor.
Don Weiler of Bailey & Weiler Design/Build, a Bloomington based design-build firm, says his company gets most of their business by referral from happy customers.
“With us, it’s word of mouth,” Weiler said.
With the economy being sluggish and lending being tight, Weiler said that over the past two years more people have chosen to remodel or renovate instead of buying a new home. Typical projects include kitchens; bathrooms, especially master baths; and outdoor living spaces.
“With all the cooking shows on TV, everybody wants a killer kitchen,” Weiler said.
Weiler’s advice to homeowners considering a remodeling project: “Get references, then actually call them. Better yet, go see a project. If you’re doing a kitchen, go look at someone’s remodeled kitchen. If the contractor is pretty reputable, you should be able to find a customer who’ll show you the work.”
Weiler said also make sure the contractor provides a certificate of insurance, both general liability and worker’s compensation. He recommends finding out how long the contractor has been in business and how much of this type of work the contractor has done.
“Also check promptness,” Weiler said. “Did they call you back? Did they arrive on time? And how well did they listen?”
