How to Choose the Right Remodeling Contractor for Your Project

You’ve worked hard saving up money for that big kitchen remodel, and now you’re finally ready to start building your home cook paradise. Hooray!

But then it hits you. Now you have to *gulp* find a contractor…

If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve probably heard some horror stories about working with questionable contractors. Shoddy workmanship, ballooning costs, and unreturned calls can make working with a contractor seem like a nightmare—but it doesn’t have to be!

Below, we’ll share some tips for finding the right remodeling contractor for your project and some common mistakes to avoid. Then, we’ll explore the differences between working with a design-build firm versus a general contractor and when each option might be right for you. Finally, we’ll walk you through our unique approach and how Crescent Builds can be a great option for both your design-build and your general contracting needs.

Tips for Choosing the Right Remodeling Contractor

Whether you got a recommendation from a friend or you’re searching online, here are a few important tips you can use to vet your remodeling contractor and ensure they can deliver the level of service and quality you need for your project.

Be Clear on Your Project Goals

Before you reach out to a contractor, you want to make sure you’re crystal clear on your goals for your remodeling project. This includes aesthetic goals, like the design style you want for your space and the materials you’d like to use, as well as budget and timeline considerations. This clarity will help you better communicate expectations and allow your contractor to provide more accurate and tailored estimates around costs, timelines, and more.

Prioritize Fit and Relationship

When you meet with a contractor for the first time, trust your instincts. If they listen to your ideas, make you feel comfortable, and seem genuinely interested in your project, it’s probably a good fit. But if they come across as pushy, transactional, or rigid in their approach, then you might want to hightail it out of there.

At Crescent Builds, we believe this simple truth: a project will succeed if the relationship succeeds. We really thrive when we’re able to ask deep questions and get to know our clients well. Because understanding the “why” behind your project goals allows us to offer solutions and design a space that’s built around what’s most important to you.

While relationship and fit considerations like these may not seem as tangible as a project budget, they will play just as big a role in whether or not your remodel turns out the way you envisioned it from the beginning.

Communication Is Critical

A project will succeed if the relationship succeeds, and that relationship can’t succeed without good communication. You want to make sure the contractor you choose is responsive and keeps you informed throughout the process. That means regular updates, quick and clear communication when issues arise, and transparency throughout the entire project.

When we are first meeting with potential clients and discussing project proposals with them, we include as much information as possible up front. We don’t want any ambiguity, because that doesn’t help either party. We want to know exactly what the client wants, and we want them to be super familiar with our process. Because the less surprises and the more trust we build from the beginning, the smoother the project will go.

Read Reviews and Ask for Referrals

Meeting with a contractor in-person or talking with them over the phone is obviously important, but so is getting an outside perspective. This is where online reviews really come in handy. Scour the web for any information you can find on your potential contractor, whether that’s directly on their website, on their business’s Google page, or even on forums like Reddit.

And maybe even more valuable than a review is a referral, someone who’s had experience working with the contractor in the past. You can gain way more insight from a referral than from a static review because you can ask specific, relevant questions. What was it like to work with this contractor? What was their communication style like? Were they responsive or hard to get a hold of? Did you run into any issues during your project, and how did the contractor handle them?

At Crescent Builds, we always give prospective clients an extensive list of referrals during the proposal process. We value transparency, and we want prospective clients to have the chance to hear from past clients and truly determine for themselves if we’re the right fit. You should consider asking for a similar referral list when talking to your contractor, and if they resist, that might be a red flag.

Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Remodeling Contractor

Choosing the right contractor can make or break your project, and it’s a decision that comes with some common pitfalls. Here are a few mistakes to avoid so set yourself up for a less stressful remodeling experience.

Not Checking References or Reviews

We said it above, but we’ll say it again: read those reviews! If you’re willing to spend twenty minutes reading Yelp reviews for that new sushi spot downtown, then you should definitely spend some time confirming if the person you’re trusting with your five-figure kitchen remodel has a solid track record.

Focusing Solely on Price

This one really trips people up. Yes, price is important. It’s one of the primary guidelines for determining the scope of your remodel. But while staying within budget is important, choosing the lowest bid can result in poor workmanship or unexpected costs down the line. Quality and value should be your top priorities, along with partnering with a contractor you feel you can trust.

Skipping the Contract Details

When that proposal or contract hits your inbox, you’re going to want to go through it with a fine-tooth comb. Don’t get pressured into signing anything you don’t fully understand. Ask as many questions as you need so you can avoid misunderstandings and headaches down the line. And if your contractor seems impatient with your questions or isn’t willing or able to provide good answers, that might be a sign you need to move on.

Neglecting to Verify Licensing and Insurance

Working with an unlicensed or uninsured contractor can expose you to significant risks. Always, always, always verify that your contractor is properly licensed and carries adequate insurance before starting any work. You don’t want to wade into that mess and be on the hook for anything should something go wrong.

Design-Build vs. General Contractor: What’s the Difference?

So far we’ve talked about tips for choosing the right remodeling contractor and common mistakes you should avoid. Now let’s discuss the differences between the two types of contractors you might work with: design-build versus general contractor.

What Is a Design-Build Contractor?

A design-build contractor is a single entity that manages both the design and construction phases of a remodeling project, offering a streamlined, cohesive approach. Unlike general contractors, who focus solely on the construction phase and leave you to coordinate separately with designers and architects, design-build contractors handle everything in-house.

Think of it like planning a big road trip. When working with a general contractor, you have to be the driver. You’re the one mapping the route, planning all the stops, and coordinating the logistics with subcontractors and other stakeholders. This means more effort on your part to keep everyone on the same page and ensure you reach your final destination successfully.

On the other hand, working with a design-build firm is like hiring a seasoned travel guide. They handle everything from start to finish, including design and construction, which leads to fewer communication issues and a seamless remodeling experience. By keeping every detail of your project under one roof, a design-build contractor can help you reach the finish line with fewer detours and delays.

Should You Hire a General Contractor or a Design-Build Remodeler?

Ultimately, your choice will come down to personal preference. If you have a specific designer you know you want to work with, hiring a general contractor will give you the flexibility to work with that person. And if cost is a big concern for you, a general contractor may be more affordable — although unforeseen issues or design changes may cause those costs to rise quickly.

If your main motivations are convenience and peace of mind, a design-build remodeler might be the right choice. A trusted design-build remodeler offers expert guidance through every step of the process, taking care of all the little details and giving you confidence that your project will match your vision and be completed with as few hiccups as possible.

What It’s Like to Work With Crescent Builds

At Crescent Builds, we live in both worlds. We have extensive design-build experience, and collaboration is at the heart of every project we undertake. With an in-house design team working lockstep with our production team, we can guide you through every step from development and design to construction. This collaborative approach, coupled with detailed organization and frequent, transparent communication, means your vision for your new space comes to life smoothly and accurately.

However, we’re also happy to serve as your general contractor if you have an existing design in place or a specific designer you want to work with. We’ll work collaboratively with you to make sure that the end product honors the vision you and your designer have created.

Whatever you choose, we’re here to help. If you have any questions or want to discuss a project you have in mind, send us a message. You can also read about how we work with architects and designers here or learn more about our approach and who we are by visiting our About Us page.