Part 2: Hiring the Pros

Establishing criteria for how you will select your remodeling professional is critical in the process. Ranking from highest to lowest priority, make a list of the important issues to you based on your own previous remodeling experiences or from friends who have engaged in the process. Here’s what to consider:

An independent design professional versus a design-remodel firm with in-house design services: A design professional can guide you through the design and planning process, often in collaboration with a contractor, either one that your designer recommends or one who you already know. Alternately, some remodeling companies offer “design-build” services (also referred to as “design-remodel.”)  Whether you prefer to hire a designer or architect for the preliminary design, it is important to select the contractor early in the process. The contractor brings to the relationship the costs involved with many design elements or can point out existing constraints. Choosing a design-remodel team accomplishes the same result, with one company taking on the responsibility for both design and construction.

References: Talk to your friends and neighbors to see who works in your neighborhood.  Research the company yourself — the internet is a valuable resource. Check local trade associations, The National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s (NARI), www.nari.org, and its local chapter, www.remodelingkc.com. The National Kitchen and Bath Association, www.nkba.org., is another good source of information. Also, ask your designer or remodeler if you can contact his or her previous clients to see how their projects turned out.  

Interviews: Talk to one or more designers and companies to learn about their business and review their portfolio for creativity and quality. Start a conversation with them to determine if you feel a bond, trust or rapport with them. This might seem unimportant when making a business decision, but keep in mind that you could be working closely together for up to a year or more. Trust your gut instincts. Do they make you comfortable? Can they answer your questions? Do they listen to your needs, or are they just selling?

The process and timeline: Most remodeling companies can clearly lay out how their process works and the timelines associated with each part of the process. If they cannot do so, or if their process seems loose and vague, you might want to keep looking.  

Clearly expressing yourself: Lay out your desired scope for the project, as well as the level of finish you want. It helps to show your designer or remodeler photos of spaces or materials you like. For example, if you are discussing a kitchen project, indicate that you want stainless built-in appliances, cherry cabinetry and granite counters, as opposed to painted cabinetry, standard appliances and Formica counters. Obviously, these represent two very different looks and budgets, but this is what is referred to with “level of finish.”

Establishing your budget for discussion: Ask your designer or contractor to discuss budget ranges for projects similar to yours. Tell them what your budget parameters are, as best you know, such as, “We hope to spend no more than $75,000 on this project.” If you don’t trust them with this information, you should not be considering hiring them. Conventional wisdom often instructs consumers to get three bids, but be aware that, at this point, your interviewee has little to bid on because you have not gone through design or material selections. The professional’s obligation is to design the project to fit your budget, if possible, and then provide optional designs and prices for features you want but that might exceed your stated budget. It’s a process of give and take and should not be determined after a one-hour initial meeting. 

The next step: After meeting prospective companies and reviewing proposals from all candidates, choose the one that best meets your criteria. Then you’ll begin making more specific decisions, such as signing the design agreement today; measuring, photographing and documenting next Thursday; and presenting preliminary design concepts at the start of the next month.