Tips On Hiring the Right Plumbing Contractor for Your Home Renovation

Whether you need a new water heater or bathroom sink and toilet, it is important to hire the right plumbing contractor for your project. Searching for a local plumber on Google can be overwhelming and time-consuming. So, we have outlined some tips for hiring the right plumbing contractor for your home renovation project.

1. Do your research on trusted websites such as the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List that specialize in rating customer satisfaction. Once you have a list of 3-5 possible plumbers to review check out their websites. A great company website will provide information about the company including services and rates offered. Questions that are not answered on the website can be answered through a phone call with a company representative.
2. Ask relatives and friends you trust for recommendations. They can often tell you which plumbers they’ve used and what they thought of them. They may be able to alert you of any plumbers who provide satisfactory service. You can also search online and look for the company’s customer reviews.
3. If you decide to call the company, either for information or to schedule an appointment, take note of how you are treated. You want to work with a plumbing company that keeps customer service at a high standard. Treating you with respect and effectively answering all y our questions is a good sign of great customer service.
4. Make sure the plumber is certified, licensed, and insured for their protection and yours. Ask for personal references and check them out to make sure these are genuine.
5. Research the address of the plumbing business to make sure it really exists. You want to work with a local company that has a vested interest in the community and in keeping customers satisfied and coming back.
6. Guarantees are important. Make sure the job isn’t subcontracted to different plumbers that may not offer the same guarantees. You want the job done on time, and, if there are any problems, you want the plumber to repair, replace or do whatever is necessary to provide a satisfactory result.

Want to learn more about finding the right plumbing contractor for your home renovation project? Call us today!

6 Tips for Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor

Before you hire a home improvement contractor, consider how to make the experience as seamless as possible for everyone involved

After months of planning, dreaming, saving, and picking out samples, it’s finally time to take action on your big project. Whether it’s a bathroom remodel or a new addition off your main level, a home improvement contractor can lend their specialized experience, skills, and knowledge to your project. Here are six essential tips to keep in mind when hiring a local contractor near you.

1. Communicate Your Goals

During your first conversation with a prospective contractor, discuss your goals for the project, from the final result to the small details. Don’t be afraid to ask your contractor questions and discuss how you can keep in touch regularly throughout the project. Hiring for home improvement requires trust, so make sure you see eye-to-eye and choose a contractor that understands your vision and has the experience the job requires.

2. Be Clear About Your Budget

Communicate exactly what you want done and how much you’re willing and able to pay for the job. This way, the home improvement contractor you hire can give you a quote that sets expectations for both parties, and you won’t end up with any surprises at the end of your project.

If necessary, break the project down into multiple phases. Although spreading out project milestones may push out the project’s completion date, it may be a better option for your budget to minimize the upfront cost. Homeowners can also often save money on a home improvement project by doing small tasks on their own, such as cleaning and painting.

3. Understand That Price Often Reflects Quality

Ask your contractor for their recommendations on all project deliverables and timelines and request a written description of the materials necessary for the job. While the lowest bid might sound the easiest for your budget, it’s not always the best option in the long run. An unusually low bid may indicate that a contractor uses sub-par materials, cuts corners, or is unlicensed or uninsured.

You can avoid home improvement fraud and get the quality you’re looking for by going with a more accurate project bid somewhere in the middle and requesting past-client references to follow up with.

4. Know a Contractor’s Credentials

Before hiring a contractor, brush up on common industry standards and qualifications, including any certifications they have from a national trade organization. Abbreviations behind your contractor’s name indicate that the company belongs to certain organizations that bind them to a strict code of ethics. Memberships, titles, and abbreviations may include:

• Certified graduate remodeler (CGR)
• Certified aging in place specialist (CAPS)
• Local Building Industry Association membership (BIA)
• National Association of Home Builders membership (NAHB)

Also, insist on hiring a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor. This is a must. Otherwise, as the property owner, you are liable if a work crew member gets injured on the job.

5. Get Your Home Improvement Contract in Writing

Home improvement contractors are different from general contractors because they typically keep work in-house and don’t hire subcontractors.

Your home improvement contract should include:

• Detailed timelines
• Total cost
• Payment arrangements
• Your contractor’s license number
• Project description
• Names of parties involved
• How to handle additional costs, if necessary

Your contractor should give you a timeline for the job to be completed. If they don’t, ask for one! This will give you peace of mind throughout the process and ensure everyone is on the same page with their expectations. Plus going without a timeline can really slow down your home renovation.

Do your best to stay organized by keeping job-related documents, such as contracts, payments, receipts, and contact information all in one place in case you need them for reference.

6. Educate Yourself About the Home Improvement Requirements

Doing some high-level research before the hiring process will help you understand what requirements and regulations need to be followed for your remodeling project. While your contractor will likely apply for and acquire all necessary permits, it doesn’t hurt to ask for process details and updates.

The cost of the job will likely increase if the contractor is surprised by outdated wiring or other concealed budget busters, so it’s important to know what’s going on behind the scenes in your home as well.

10 Tips for Working With a General Contractor Written by the MasterClass staff

8 Tips for Hiring a Contractor

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares what you should know before you hire a contractor.

Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor, shares how homeowners should evaluate a potential contractor before hiring him or her to work on a house. Here are his top 8 pro tips to help you find a contractor from start to finish.

1. Get Recommendations

Start with your friends and family and then check in with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of members in your area. You can also talk with a building inspector, who’ll know which home renovation contractors routinely meet code requirements, says This Old House general contractor Tom Silva, or pay a visit to your local lumberyard, which sees contractors regularly and knows which ones buy quality materials and pay their bills on time.

2. Do Phone Interviews

Once you’ve assembled a list, Tom recommends that you make a quick call to each of your prospects and go through these questions to ask a contractor:

• Do they take on projects of your size?
• Are they willing to provide financial references, from suppliers or banks?
• Can they give you a list of previous clients?
• How many other projects would they have going at the same time?
• How long have they worked with their subcontractors?

The answers to these questions will reveal the company’s availability, reliability, how much attention they’ll be able to give your project and how smoothly the work will go.

3. Meet Face to Face

Based on the phone interviews, pick three or four contractors to meet for estimates and further discussion. A contractor should be able to answer your questions satisfactorily and in a manner that puts you at ease. Tom says that it’s crucial that you two communicate well because this person will be in your home for hours at a time. On the other hand, don’t let personality fool you. Check in with your state’s consumer protection agency and your local Better Business Bureau before you hire a contractor to make sure they don’t have a history of disputes with clients or subcontractors.

4. Investigate the Facts

Now that you’ve narrowed your list, put your research to use. Call up former clients to find how their project went and ask to see the finished product. But Tom says you shouldn’t rely on results alone. Even more important, visit a current job site and see for yourself how the contractor works. Is the job site neat and safe? Are workers courteous and careful with the homeowner’s property?

5. Make Plans, Get Bids

You have your short list of contractors whose track records seem clean and whose work ethic looks responsible. Now it’s time to stop looking back at past work and start looking forward to your project. A conscientious contractor will want not only a complete set of blueprints but also a sense of what homeowners want out of a project and what they plan to spend. To compare bids, ask everyone to break down the cost of materials, labor, profit margins and other expenses. Generally materials account for 40 percent of the total cost; the rest covers overhead and the typical profit margin, which is 15 to 20 percent.

6. Set a Payment Schedule

Another important tip for hiring a contractor is to workout a payment schedule ahead of time. Payment schedules can speak to a contractor’s financial status and work ethic. If they want half the bid up front, they may have financial problems or be worried that you won’t pay the rest after you’ve seen the work. For large projects, a schedule usually starts with 10 percent at contract signing, three payments of 25 percent evenly spaced over the duration of the project and a check for the final 15 percent when you feel every item on the punch list has been completed.

7. Don’t Let Price Be Your Guide

“Throw out the lowball bid,” says Tom. “This contractor is probably cutting corners or, worse, desperate for work”—hardly an encouraging sign in a healthy economy. Beyond technical competence, comfort should play an equal or greater role in your decision. The single most important factor in choosing a contractor is how well you and he communicate. All things being equal, it’s better to spend more and get someone you’re comfortable with when hiring a contractor.

8. Put it in Writing

Draw up a contract that details every step of the project: payment schedule; proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation payments; a start date and projected completion date; specific materials and products to be used; and a requirement that the contractor obtain lien releases (which protect you if he doesn’t pay his bills) from all subcontractors and suppliers. Insisting on a clear contract isn’t about mistrust, Tom assures us. It’s about insuring a successful renovation.

Finally, remember that as soon as a change is made or a problem uncovered, the price just increased and the project just got longer. The four most expensive words in the English language? “While you’re at it….”

What Is a General Contractor and What Do They Do?

Some home projects are easy for any DIY-er to tackle, but when it’s time to remodel the kitchen or upgrade the master bath, most people need to call a pro. The question is, who do you call?

Home renovation pros have different areas of expertise. A handyman, for example, can switch up your bathroom cabinets or replace the fixtures to give your master bath a facelift. A plumbing subcontractor can install the infrastructure for a new shower or jacuzzi tub to upgrade the room’s functionality. But if you’re completely overhauling the space—changing the layout and adding new elements—a general contractor is the way to go.

What is a general contractor?

A simple general definition for a contractor is someone who coordinates and supervises every aspect of a building or remodeling project. That includes securing the proper permits for the project and hiring, scheduling and overseeing the work of other subcontractors such as carpenters, plumbers and electricians.

Their work goes well beyond managing the hands-on tasks, however. Licensed general contractors take responsibility for the entire worksite which means they carry worker’s compensation and liability insurance. If a worker is injured on the job or your property accidentally damaged, the contractor handles the situation. In short, if something goes wrong, the general contractor is financially responsible for making it right.

The general contractor makes sure that all work is done in a way that doesn’t void any product warranties or guarantees. Qualified professionals must install siding, roofing, windows and major appliances in a particular way or the manufacturer may refuse to honor their guarantee. When a general contractor supervises the project, you know everyone will follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Finally, the general contractor is also responsible for securing the workspace and supplies. They handle major projects such as cleaning up and disposing of all trash and debris—and minor but key details such as ensuring workers wear protective foot coverings to safeguard your floors.

Types of contractors

There are two types of general contractors: Traditional and design-build professionals. A traditional general contractor takes project plans designed by someone else, typically an architect or designer, and develops a bid to complete the work.

A design-build contractor is an end-to-end professional that works with you to conceptualize and design the project and then oversee its completion. These contractors usually have in-house architectural and design staff that remain involved throughout the entire process. This is helpful if something unexpected happens during the project that requires a modification in the design.

Licensing requirements and qualifications

Every state has mandatory licensing requirements for general contractors. Contractors must pass a test to qualify, but some states impose additional conditions, such as proof of liability insurance, a tax ID number and proof of business address.

Although general contractors can be licensed with only a high school diploma, many contractors have a degree in construction management, civil engineering or building science. Advanced education is helpful because general contractors need to know different construction methods and materials, how to evaluate and prepare a site, read architectural and design plans and recognize when inspections and permits are necessary to complete a project.

Practical experience is the most important qualification for general contractors. Most of them spend years working as skilled subcontractors, advancing to supervisory roles, before applying for a general contractor’s license. This experience prepares them to estimate costs and completion times, recognize qualified subcontractors, test completed work and control expenses.

When to hire a contractor

No one wants to pay for more expertise than they need, so you shouldn’t hire a general contractor unless you’re tackling a fairly complicated project. A good rule of thumb is if a project can be finished in under a week, a handyman or subcontractor can probably do the job.

On the other hand, if the project will take several weeks to complete and involves permits, inspections and multiple different skilled professionals, you probably need a general contractor.

Think of a major kitchen remodel , for example. Your plans involve knocking down a wall between the kitchen and dining room, swapping your range for a kitchen island with cooktop and wall oven, adding a prep sink, warming drawer and built-in wine refrigerator, upgrading your flooring, installing a bay window and completely revamping your lighting scheme.

You’ll need plumbers, electricians , drywall, tile and window installers, carpenters and painters. You also need to arrange and time the delivery of appliances and supplies so that everyone has the necessary materials for each stage of the project. Finally, your county may require a building permit and plumbing and electrical inspections at various completion points.

Unless you’re an expert in construction methods, project management and your local building regulations—and you have a lot of time on your hands—you need a general contractor to coordinate and supervise all those activities.

Contractor vs. subcontractor

It’s easy to confuse contractors and subcontractors, but they have very different skill sets. General contractors oversee the entire project—they take drawings or plans and bring them to life. Your general contractor obtains permits, buys materials, hires and pays construction professionals and secures inspections. Once you approve the plans, your job is essentially done until the project is finished, unless something unexpected comes up.

General contractors hire subcontractors to complete a specific part of the project. Subcontractors usually specialize in a single area such as plumbing, drywall, HVAC, flooring, painting or carpentry. Subcontractors can be self-employed individuals or employees of a subcontracting business.

You as the homeowner typically won’t have any interaction with the subcontractors, since they are hired, supervised and paid by the general contractor. Most general contractors have long-standing relationships with a variety of subcontractors in different construction specialties so they have access to expertise for even highly complex, custom jobs.

Hiring a general contractor

If you decide to hire a general contractor , do your homework. Find out how long the contractor has been in business and if they’ve completed projects like yours; ask to see examples of their work and if you can speak to previous customers. Only work with licensed and insured contractors; check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any outstanding complaints.

Make sure you understand project costs. Some general contractors charge the cost of materials and labor plus 15% to 20%; others bid a flat fee for the entire project. Cost plus a percentage is a more flexible option, but it can be difficult to predict the final total. A flat-fee bid is better if you have a particular budget in mind for your project.

Review your contract carefully to make sure every detail is covered. If something goes wrong and you need to seek legal action against your contractor, your contract supports your case. It should spell out the project schedule, materials and costs, the names of subcontractors used and how work changes will be handled. Keep detailed records of all payments and receipts and take photographs periodically to document progress.

The right professional makes all the difference when you’re ready to fix up your home. If you’re simply tackling your honey-do list, your local handyman can save you time and aggravation. If your home improvement plans involve a major overhaul, a general contractor may be the best way to go.

10 Things Your Remodeling Contractor Wants You to Know

11 Ways to Build and Maintain Strong Client Relationships

Building and maintaining strong client relationships are important for sustainable business growth.  It’s common for business owners to focus their resources on gaining new business. However, you don’t need to rely on gaining new clients to get new projects.  Continuing to work with existing clients can keep your project pipeline full and lead to referrals to other clients.

Once on board, it’s easier for companies to re-engage the same independent talent.  Building a strong relationship with your clients earns their trust and re-engaging you will save them time and money. Once a client knows that you are dependable and can successfully perform the tasks required for a project, they will be more likely to engage you on future projects.

Here are 11 proven ways to build and maintain strong and positive business relationships with your clients:

1. Focus on communication
2. Be positive
3. Treat your client as an individual
4. Share knowledge
5. Be open-minded
6. Exceed expectations
7. Understand your client’s goals
8. Speak your client’s language
9. Stay humble
10. Use project delivery tools
11. Develop appreciation

1. Focus on Communication

Timely, efficient communication should be a priority. When everyone is busy focusing on getting work done, communication can fall by the wayside. That’s why it’s important to clearly and consistently communicate throughout the project. Make it clear from the beginning that you will work with your client to develop value statements that align with their business goals and that you will evaluate progress against these agreed-upon value statements as the project progresses.

Of course, communication with a single client should not consistently and unreasonably encroach on your personal time or negatively affect your productivity. However, being available demonstrates that your client’s project and satisfaction are important to you.

In addition to timely and thorough communication, you can also build a strong client relationship by making your clients feel comfortable being open and honest with you. They should feel that their ideas and concerns will be taken seriously.

2. Be Positive

As an independent professional, you carry a number of responsibilities. As stressed out or overwhelmed as you may feel, it’s important to show a positive face to your clients. Exude the energy and confidence that you want your clients to feel about your work. Enthusiasm and zeal are attractive personality traits that people enjoy being around and that clients enjoy working with.

3. Treat Your Client as an Individual

While your relationship with your client is of a professional nature, acknowledging that you see them as a person—that is, more than just a paycheck—can go a long way. The extent to which this personal connection is appropriate will vary depending on your industry, client type, and the individual client’s personality. If you know your client is a parent, you may simply ask how their children are doing. If you have a closer relationship with your client, something more personal such as emailing them a news article about their favorite musician might be appropriate and appreciated.

4. Share Knowledge

If your client doesn’t understand your area of expertise, they may feel ignorant about the intricacies of the process and therefore disconnected from the development of the project. This is your opportunity to share information that will help the client understand what you do, which will build trust and confidence in the process. Explaining to your client what you did, why you did it, and how you came to your decision will help them feel knowledgeable and in the loop.

5. Be Open-Minded

In order to build strong and lasting client relationships, they must be able to trust and rely on you as an expert. That’s why it’s crucial to maintain a policy of openness when it comes to your professional opinions and point of view regarding the best interests of the project. It can be tempting to want to appear agreeable and avoid uncomfortable confrontation by telling a client what you think they want to hear or withholding your true opinion about their project.

However, these practices are not only counterproductive but can also damage your reputation, decreasing your chances of a lasting relationship. By confidently expressing your honest opinions, clients will respect your initiative and desire for excellence.

6. Exceed Expectations

One of the best ways to help build strong client relationships is to develop a reputation as an independent professional who delivers exceptional results. Make sure that you don’t oversell yourself and promise unrealistic results. By setting reasonable expectations, you give yourself the opportunity to completely impress the client with the final project and position yourself as someone they would like to continue to work with.

7. Understand Your Client’s Goals

To succeed, you’ll need to understand your client on both a micro and macro level. On the micro level, you’ll want to understand the goals and objectives for the project at hand. But on the macro level, you’ll want to understand how this project fits into the organization as a whole, as well as any key details about the client’s culture that might help you in your engagement. The ability to understand your client’s goals will help to build a relationship of trust and mutual respect.

8. Speak Your Client’s Language

Successful consultants can adapt to their client’s style, formality, and preferred method of communication, instead of sticking only with the tools where they may feel most comfortable. For example, your client may prefer video meetings or choose to text message instead of email.

As Matthew Small, Customer Experience Specialist, put it, “Every interaction needs to be modified to accommodate that particular person—everyone communicates differently! Some individuals just want facts, while others are more conversational. The key is flexibility: don’t go into a conversation with a pre-determined dialogue, but have a set strategy of what you hope to learn in the interaction.”

Tap into your emotional intelligence by getting a feel for why the customer feels and/or approaches situations in a certain way, and try to tailor your communications and engagement accordingly.

9. Stay Humble

You were hired for your expertise, but any good consultant knows that the client is the expert on their specific business. Maybe they know the best way to approach a key stakeholder or have a specific insight into their market positioning that can help you achieve your project’s objectives.

Defer to your client as the expert on their specific company and line of business, remaining humble in your line of inquiry about how to best approach the problem and the solution in a way that will work for their company.

10. Use Project Delivery Tools

Organizing project delivery is key to making a positive impression on clients. Use tools that help you deliver your work professionally from beginning to ends, such as a project proposal, contract, SOW, client reports, and a professional invoice. These tools can help increase your level of professionalism and business skills as well as provide transparency and tracking of your project.

Consider your client and determine what would be valuable to them. It could be as simple as delivering the project in an aesthetically pleasing format, hand-delivering the materials and giving an in-depth walkthrough or demonstration, or including a small value-adding feature that enhances the finished results. For loyal clients, a token of appreciation and thanks after key business milestones or around the holidays can be an unexpected pleasure that strengthens your professional relationship. The key is to find the opportunity to go above and beyond in a manner that your clients will appreciate.

11. Develop Appreciation

While establishing client boundaries is important, there are times when going above and beyond can help your business. Keep limits in place, but be on the lookout for moments when you can go the extra mile.

If you’ve been in the business for years, it can be easy to get stuck with old habits. Instead, consider each client situation individually, and don’t be afraid to adjust your work processes. Some clients may really value hands-on access and want to be included in each stage of your process, whereas others may simply prefer a written, detailed weekly summary of what you’ve accomplished.

Remember, communication is key to establishing a trustworthy relationship; talk to your clients to get a feel for what they value most and then incorporate their preferences into your workflow. A little bit of thoughtful listening can go far in building respect and appreciation.

Benefits Of A Locally Owned Plumbing Company

Plumbing is one of the most essential aspects of any home improvement project. So, when it comes to choosing a good plumbing company to take care of your plumbing issues, there are certain things that you should do in order to get the best services available. You must always opt for a company that could offer the best value for your money. It is imperative for a good plumbing company to have the necessary certifications in order to perform the construction plumbing in their area along with establishing reliable relationships with the local plumbing suppliers. Marklein Plumbing is one of the leading plumbing companies in Rancho Bernardo that offers an exclusive range of first-rate plumbing solutions to customers. Although the process of selecting the best plumbing company could be stressful, you must think about the advantages of services that come along with a reputable locally-owned plumbing company.

24-Hour Service

A good locally-owned plumbing company offers 24-hour services to its customers. Such companies are considered to be a valuable asset to commercial plumbing because customers can call them for emergency repairs even during the odd hours of the night. There is no wonder that sometimes, the plumbing systems break down during ungodly hours, and this is when a good plumbing company can respond promptly to the needs of its customers with its reliable plumbing services.

Guaranteed Plumbing Services

It is one of the major benefits of a locally owned plumbing company. A good plumbing company will offer a service guarantee, thereby allowing its customers to demand a follow-up inspection in case of any problem with the installation or repairing of their plumbing system. The service guarantee is completely free for a certain period of time, and hence, it can help customers save money.

Reasonable Service Charges

Hiring a locally owned plumbing company could offer you a complete range of high-grade plumbing services at reasonable costs, thereby offering you the best value for your money. Certain companies use the latest plumbing technology to deal with plumbing problems, and therefore, they quote a higher price for their services. However, you must remember to never compromise with the quality of these services for the sake of low prices.

Choose The Right Locally Owned Plumbing Company For Your Next Issue

A locally owned plumbing company can easily deal with all types of plumbing issues with its prompt, trustable, and high-standard services. So, with the never-ending benefits of expert and dependable plumbing services, you can consider hiring from among the top-rated plumbing companies in Rancho Bernardo such as Marklein Plumbing for your next plumbing issue. You can also fill out the form provided below to get in touch with our experienced team of professionals and seek help for all your plumbing problems.

Tips For Hiring a Plumber for Home Remodeling Projects

The necessity for plumbing  work often drives homeowners to pick up the wrench and do the work by themselves. And while you can probably install your own toilet or put in a new sink, a professional, licensed plumber is invaluable for helping with more difficult projects like creating a new bathroom, plumbing a laundry room, adding a shower or bathroom, or running plumbing to a new or remodeled kitchen.

Understand Emergency vs. Remodel or New Plumbing

Those ads, commercials, and trucks you might see all around town advertising plumbing work on-call are likely advertising for emergency plumbing, rather than scheduled remodel or new plumbing work. Knowing the difference between the two types of plumbing work will save you considerable money.

Emergency Plumbing

Emergency plumbers show up at your door quickly—usually within an hour or two—and take care of burst pipes, overflowing toilets, balky showers, and clogged bathtubs. Emergency plumbing work is valuable because it is a fast solution to a big problem. Emergency plumbers are expensive but usually worth it: The cost of fixing a ceiling, replacing flooring, or repairing the lower half of your walls’ drywall typically far exceeds the cost of even the most expensive emergency plumber.

Remodeling or New-Construction Plumbing

When you need to put in a toilet, shower, or bathtub or need to plumb an entire kitchen or bathroom and time is not of the essence, you will schedule a plumber for remodeling or new-construction plumbing work. What you want is a plumber who will come prepared on an assigned date and perform the work, following a pre-determined estimate. Usually, the cost for scheduled work will differ from on-demand, emergency work. Often, plumbing companies that advertise as emergency plumbers will do scheduled remodel work, as well.

Check the Plumber’s State Licensing

Check your state’s licensing website to see if a plumber is licensed and has any pending or resolved complaints. If a plumber is licensed, that is not a recommendation from the licensing body; it just means that the plumber has satisfied the minimum requirements to become licensed and to remain licensed.

Create a Plumbing Plan

Make a solid plumbing plan before calling the plumber. The plan does not need to be refined down to types and sizes of pipe and fittings since the plumber will do that. But you do need to know what you want the final result to be. If the project is small enough, the plumber will likely arrive ready to work.

Remain Flexible

Having a solid idea of your plumbing project is only a start. Besides the physical labor provided by the plumber, experience and advice are the other advantages of hiring a plumber rather than doing it yourself. Be flexible and listen to the plumber.

Make a Spreadsheet for Your Estimates

When calling plumbing companies, be sure that you are ready to ask the right questions:

• Hourly rates
• Rates for non-plumbing tasks such as opening up a wall
• Is the customer charged while plumber waits for on-site delivery of parts
• Bonding
• If the plumber will obtain a permit for you
• Projected start dates
  

  Obtain a Plumbing Permit

  Assuming that the plumber is not obtaining the permit for you, obtain the plumbing permit as early as you can. You can usually complete the entire process online. With a permit started, work can then begin. Inspectors will check the plumber’s work upon completion. If the work is satisfactory, the permit is “finalled” or approved.

  Buy Your Own Plumbing Fixtures

  Plumbers supply pipes, valves, and other parts responsible for moving water in or out of your house. As for toilets, sinks, fixtures, bathtubs, and showers, you or your general contractor will be responsible for supplying these items.

  Prepare the Job Site for the Plumber

  Avoid having your expensive plumber wasting valuable time and money by opening up walls, clearing crawlspaces, and lighting dark basements. Even if you think that the plumber should do this, do this for them. The quicker you can get the plumber to the actual plumbing work, the faster the project will go.

  Remain Near the Job Site During Work

  Remain out of sight but within calling distance for questions from the plumber. Most plumbers will tolerate some hovering from the customer. But too much hovering can distract the plumber, extending project time, and costing more money.

Tips to Finding a Reliable Home Renovation Contractor

It’s not easy to find a reliable home contractor for property upgrades, whether big or small. As a homeowner, you aren’t just worried about keeping projects on budget and on schedule. You also want a home contractor who is dependable and reputable, and who has many years of experience completing the type of property upgrade you have in mind. If you’re looking for some guidance on how to find a reliable home contractor for your next project, check out these 10 helpful tips.

1. Use reputable sources to find a reliable home contractor

Asking friends and family members about their experiences with reliable home contractors can be a great way to find good companies to work with. But if you’re new to the area, or unsure about what your other options might be, consider online services like Angie’s List and Checkbook to find a reliable home contractor who will work for you—and not just for the bottom line.

According to Consumer Reports, the most reputable online recommendation services verify user reviews. You want to ensure that each reviewer has actually worked with the home contractor you’re interested in hiring, so you have the most accurate information.

Ygrene also works with a network of independent contractors, and you can find one close to your home or commercial building by simply clicking below.

2. Interview multiple contractors

Finding a reliable home contractor online is possible, but online reviews are no substitute for meeting with a contractor in person. And don’t forget to give yourself options, even if you have a highly-recommended contractor already in mind.

Interview multiple candidates to get a sense of what it would be like to have the person work in your home. Each contractor will likely have a different approach, budget, timeline, and relationship with subcontractors in your area.

3. Ask for references

Narrowing down your choices? Ask for references from previous homeowners, clients, subcontractors, or employees, so you can see the bigger picture. You’ll want to ask questions about how the home contractor handled changes to the contract, whether they managed to pay everyone on time, and how they treated the job site.

Did they leave the site—a former client’s home—a total mess? Do they have enough cash flow to make payments to subcontractors? These are details you should find out sooner rather than later.

4. Ask for a formal bid or estimate

Never sign an agreement with a home contractor without first seeing an estimate of the project’s costs. If you’re still deciding between multiple contractors, a bidding process might help you narrow down your options. In addition to budget and timeline, talk with them about the kinds of materials you want and any subcontractors who might be brought into the renovation.

You’ll also want to know if this home contractor has completed other projects like yours. Maybe they’re great at kitchen remodels but not at home additions. You’ll never know if you don’t ask! If your potential home contractor doesn’t discuss previous similar projects, material recommendations, or potential solutions for any of your lingering questions during the bidding process—ask.

5. Check out their license

Every reputable and reliable home contractor, including contractors authorized by Ygrene, should have the proper licenses from your municipality and state to conduct business. Ask to see these licenses, so you can check them out for yourself and make sure everything is up to date and above board.

6. Conduct a thorough background check

When a home contractor runs afoul of the law or racks up a violation with the Better Business Bureau, there will be a record of it. If your potential contractor doesn’t disclose legal issues before you sign on the dotted line, you’re well within your rights to ask—or to go looking for problems in local court records. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

7. Find out about subcontractors

Do you know which other companies or service providers—like electricians, plumbers, or carpenters—your potential home contractor likes to use? Find out, so you know more about the other vendors who will complete your property upgrade.

8. Ask about necessary insurance and permits before getting started

Before a major home improvement project gets off the ground, a home contractor will need to secure the proper permits, licensing, and insurance. Find out which permits your municipality and state requirements, so you can check in with your contractor accordingly.

Even though acquiring permits will add time to your project, the correct permits ensure your home contractor is following the law—and that your property will be properly inspected once the project is complete.

9. Draw up a contract

Ready to break ground? Wait until you draw up and sign a contract that outlines the details of your home improvement project, including a budget, timeline, a detailed list of building materials, and the responsibilities of all subcontractors.

If either you or your home contractor needs to make changes to the contract to reflect a new reality—like a problem with your subflooring or a corroded pipe—ask to sign an addendum and to see a new project estimate.

10. Be smart about your payment schedule

It’s not uncommon for a reputable and reliable home contractor to request a small upfront payment toward their total fee before they begin work. According to Home Advisor, you should never provide more than 10 percent of the fee for a large renovation project before the contractor begins work. In California, it is illegal for a contractor to ask for or accept a down payment from a homeowner for more than 10 percent of the total home improvement or $1,000, whichever is less. On the other hand, smaller upgrades with custom work could require a 30 to 50 percent payment upfront.

Only once the project is complete should you pay the rest of the fee. Make sure the fee payment schedule is outlined clearly in your contract, and that this schedule is updated each time a problem arises or a new repair is needed.

Find the perfect contractor for your job from Ygrene’s independent network of contractors

If you want to take advantage of PACE (property assessed clean energy) financing for your next home improvement project, hiring a contractor from Ygrene’s independent network of contractors to do the work can make all the difference. We train and authorize proven, dependable independent contractors in your area, skilled in the kinds of improvements you need. Ygrene continuously evaluates their performance, to ensure that they are delivering the highest level of workmanship and professionalism to each and every customer they serve through Ygrene. And more importantly for you, Ygrene will not make a payment to your independent contractor until you sign off that you are 100% satisfied with the completed work. That means that you get the final say. Search for a local contractor that specializes in the type of project you’re trying to do below.