There is no magic trick to select a good contractor; however, there is an effective 5-step tracking system to avoid the bad ones, the ones who can really mess up your life by ruining your remodeling project.

The system consists of asking yourself 5 questions as you contact several contractors and talk to them about your remodeling needs.

Here are these 5 questions. Write them down or memorize them to have them handy upon meeting a potential contractor:

1.    Was he late for our first meeting?
First impressions matter… a lot!  When you are hiring a service, any service, the interested party should always be on time.  If a contractor doesn’t arrive on time for the first meeting with you, you can bet he won’t be dependable if hired.

2.    Did he just say we don’t need a contract?
Red alert!  Run!  Don’t even bother talking any further to a contractor that tells you he doesn’t use contracts to guarantee his work.  Every good contractor will gladly put every detail in writing as much for his sake as for yours.

3.    Is he hard to reach?
A remodeling project is a complicated activity, no matter the size, and the only way to ensure success is to be able to maintain constant communication with all the parties involved, interior designer, contractors, etc.  If you start talking to a contractor and he doesn’t return your calls promptly or answer your emails within 24 hours, you are better off looking for help somewhere else.

4.    How did he react when I asked for references?
A good contractor will feel pride in showing his work, thus, he will be more than glad to give you the names of clients he has done work for.  If you ask a contractor for references and he gets evasive, maybe you should think twice about hiring him.

5.    Is he asking me to pay in advance?
Good contractors work with payment schedules, based on completed jobs.  They will set everything in writing; establishing dates and amounts to be paid.  Never ever, pay a contractor in advance; you never know what you will get for the money.

This system works because it is simple; if one or more of the above apply, you are not looking in the right place.  Start your search from scratch and wait until you are certain you have found a good contractor, otherwise, you are in for disappointment after disappointment, high and unnecessary costs, and worst of all, poor results that will mean your home will lose value.

If you live in the area, you’ll be better off having an interior designer in Seattle direct your project.  She will take care of every detail, ensuring that the contractor is someone reliable and professional.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

Any remodeling project causes interference in a household’s daily routine, but a major one can result in total chaos and even threaten your sanity.  Once cabinets are ripped out, walls come down, and wiring is exposed, suddenly you are wondering why you decided to go through such hell, since you cannot even imagine how the place will look in the end.  You basically trust your interior designer and her experience to get you through the project without going nuts and in one piece.

There is no question about it, a home remodeling project can be stressful; however, the right guidance and the following advice can make the process easier on you and your whole family:

-    Design a plan to keep your daily routine working
Even though you are living in a chaotic environment, you still have to cook, wash clothes, and take a shower.  If staying at a hotel or with a relative is not an option, you have to design a practical plan to live at home while the work is being done, and you have to do this before the interior designer and her crew start tearing down walls.  You could adapt a new temporary kitchen in another room while remodeling is taking place there, or ask a friend or neighbor to allow you to shower at their house if water has to be turned off for several days.  Knowing what you will do when your home is not livable will give you peace of mind.

-    Keep an eye on the clutter
Of course there will be a mess while the project is underway; however, the loads of trash and dust that come out daily should be taken care of immediately.  Before remodeling begins, talk to your interior designer about this, and make sure you have clarity, and that everyone knows, how trash should be handled.

-    Protect your valuables
Even if your interior designer is the best and most careful one out there, dust will surely spread all over your house.  Ensure all your furniture and electronics are well protected against dust, or remove them if necessary.  You can choose a room away from the chaos to put everything for the duration of the project, lock it up and make sure everyone understands that that area is out of bounds.  In this way, you will feel comfort in knowing that your things are safe.

-    Keep an eye on things
Whether you are living elsewhere or at home during the remodeling project, you have to talk to your interior designer every day, and even several times a day, to make sure everything is going smoothly.  This will help you feel in control of what is happening right now and know what’s coming next.

If you live in the Seattle area, contact experienced interior designers in Seattle. You can rest assured you will remain sane no matter how huge your remodeling project is.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

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