You get what you pay for!... How to choose your renovation team wisely.

Renovating your home is an exciting endeavor! But not for the faint of heart. I have had the privilege of working with many excellent General Contractors (GC). And now I have had the misfortune of working with a GC who has no business in this role. Seeing the bad makes me want to save others from the mental anguish I and my clients have gone through.

The clients, an elderly couple, are renovating a 2 bedroom - 2 bathroom condominium. The GC was recommended by their kitchen company. And the Client was too trusting and did no further vetting. With high hopes, a signed contract, many walkthroughs and conversations, a design selection package in hand… we are all ready to go!

[the ceiling and walls are also crooked...all causes a domino effect]

While we all might enjoy reading an account of the soap opera that was my client's life (and mine) for the last 3 months, I am choosing to be professional here. Here’s a GUIDE to help you pick the best team for your home renovation, along with key qualities to look for in a contractor.

Start with Recommendations and Research

The first step in finding a good contractor is gathering recommendations. Ask friends, family, and neighbors WHO HAVE USED THE CONTRACTOR. Once you have a list, do some research on each contractor’s background, including reviews on Google, HomeStars and other trusted review sites. Do this before you ever meet the contractor.

While it may seem like a good idea to ask real estate agents, vendors, and local home improvement stores for recommendations, you may also be getting their friend or family where their work is not vetted. They may have never had to work with them in detail for months on a project. Lesson learned for my clients!

What should you ask the person who has recommended the GC?

1. Scope

   • Was it a small or large scale project? For example, was it a surface level project where you updated tiles, vanity, and plumbing or did you gut the entire bathroom, move plumbing and change the layout?

   • Does this GC have experience in large scale projects? Do they have experience with removing walls/structural changes? Working with architects and engineers? Applying for city permits and having inspections throughout the project? (If applicable to your project)

   • Do they have an architect and engineer they work with? (if needed)

   • Have you seen their previous work? What type of work was it? How did you hear about the GC?

     
     

2. Communication

   • Did you have weekly meetings for progress updates, to clarify questions, and to set expectations for the coming days?

   • Did you have a group chat with the GC and you?

   • Did the GC send weekly email updates, cost updates, progress reports, etc.?

     
     

3. Taking Accountability

   • Were there aspects that went wrong? And how were they dealt with? Did the contractor blame you, the client?

   • Who paid for the mistakes?

   • Were the mistakes handled in a timely manner or were they the cause of project delays?

   • What was the attitude of the contractor when mistakes happened?

     
     

4. Contract

   • Was there a detailed contract?

   • Was the contract adhered to? Such as costs, timelines, scope, etc.

   • Was there scope creep? As in, the contract was not specific and all minute add-ons were then added to the cost

   • Were there unexpected costs that should have been foreseen?

   • Who hires the trades? Is the client the signer of a contract with the trade or the GC?

   • Does the GC have their own trades and the cost is built into the contract?

   • Are boundaries and responsibilities clearly laid out? Responsibilities between client, designer, gc, and trades to be outlined. For example, is it the clients job to go order certain materials?

   • What costs are covered by payments to the contractor?

   • At what stages in the project were payments made?

   • Does the contractor have a monthly fee?/ Project fee? How is this calculated? 

     
     

5. Timelines/Delays

   • Do they have the ability to keep workflow moving consistently and smoothly or were there times when no progress was happening?

   • What was their demeanor when minor or major hiccups happened? Did they take responsibility? Were they proactive to move forward in a timely manner?

   • Did they accurately quote how long the entire project would take? How long each trade would take?

     
     

6. Workmanship

   • Was the contractor there daily to oversee the project?Did the GC do some of the work themselves? Or do they just manage the trades?

   • Are the trades selected based on availability? price? workmanship? scope of project?

   • Did their trades do quality work? Does the GC have a keen eye for detail?

   • How does the GC handle mistakes and subpar work by trades?

   • Did the contractor communicate effectively with the trades based on the agreed upon plans?

   • Did the contractor have a clear vision of the details and communicate accordingly? For example, based on the width of the trim, was the electrical outlet placed at a correct distance from the frame?

     
     

7. Cleanliness

   • Was the project kept clean throughout?

   • Were trades instructed to adhere to site rules? Such as an end of day clean up for the next day traders

   • Were materials, furnishings and fixtures kept organized and clean? For example, plumbing fixtures are delivered at the start of the project for internal plumbing install. Are the finished fixtures kept safe?

   • Were non-renovation spaces respected and kept clean?

     
     

8. The Plan

   • Does the contractor work with a designer? What was the cost of this service? Can you bring on your own designer?

   • Does the contractor need a design package to work from?

   • What did the designer/package provide for the project? (IT SHOULD BE EVERY DETAIL!!)

     • 2D/3D renderings and elevations, including all measurements

     • Millwork layouts

     • Finishing Schedules (charts that outline selections of paint, plumbing, tile, etc)

     • Lighting and Electrical plan

     • Other (Furniture, Window Treatments, decor, artwork, etc. is for the client and not the contractor)

When you meet the contractors on your short list, what should you ask the GC?

a) Check Qualifications and Licenses

A qualified contractor should be licensed, insured, and bonded. Licensure requirements vary by province, but a good general contractor should be able to provide proof of these credentials. Insurance is equally important—ensure the contractor has liability insurance to protect your property, as well as worker’s compensation in case anyone is injured during the renovation.

b) Transparent Pricing and Why a Design Package is worth its weight in gold?

A reliable contractor will provide a clear and detailed estimate for the project. But unless you have a detailed design package by a designer, the contractor may not understand the scope of the project. For example, is your counter stone a marble or porcelain? Is it wrapping down the sides of the island (waterfall)? Is the stone counter continuous to the backsplash? Is there stone on the hood vent?  This is why having a detailed design package to shop around will make pricing out your project seamless.

Be wary of contractors who seem unwilling to break down costs. The estimate should include all materials, labor, permits, and any additional fees. But understand costs are variable to the selections you still are to make. Be sure you understand the payment schedule, and have a portion for completion to hold back that makes sense to the scope of your project.

c) Experience with Your Type of Project

Make sure to choose a GC with relevant experience. Whether you’re planning a kitchen remodel, removing load-bearing walls, or a home addition, look for a contractor who has successfully completed similar projects. Experience with your specific type of renovation ensures they understand the potential challenges and scope of all the moving parts.

d) Good Communication Skills

There is no room for poor communication when it comes to construction! 

 A good general contractor will listen to your ideas, provide feedback, and keep everyone in the loop throughout the process. They should be responsive to your calls, text, emails, or messages. Contractors have their own process for keeping organized and communicating. They may schedule weekly meetings on-site, keep schedules on a Google Drive, etc.  A contractor who communicates well will make the entire process smoother and ensure you’re on the same page throughout the project.

e) Project Management Skills

Managing a home renovation involves coordinating subcontractors, ensuring timelines are met, and keeping materials within budget. A good general contractor will take on this role and keep everything organized. They should have strong project management skills, ensuring that all subcontractors are on schedule, inspections are completed on time, and work is progressing according to plan.

f)  Availability and Timeliness

It’s important to choose a contractor who has the time and resources to dedicate to your project. Be wary of contractors who take on too many projects at once or seem overly booked. Your contractor should be able to provide a realistic timeline for the renovation and stick to it as much as possible. While delays can happen, a good contractor will inform you promptly and adjust timelines accordingly.

g)  Compatibility and Trust

Finally, make sure you feel comfortable with your contractor. A home renovation can take weeks, months, or more! You’ll want to work with someone who is professional, trustworthy, and easy to get along with. Trust your instincts—if something feels off during the initial meetings, it may be best to continue your search.

In Conclusion…

Choosing the right general contractor,interior designer, vendors and trades for your home renovation is crucial to ensuring that your project is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. By focusing on a contractor’s qualifications, experience, communication skills, and reputation, you can feel confident in your decision. Take your time during the selection process, ask plenty of questions, and trust your instincts. You will be spending A LOT of money. A great contractor will make all the difference in turning your renovation dreams into reality. And hopefully you don’t have to live in a NETFLIX DRAMA!!!

Tell us your good, bad and ugly GC stories! Any advice to others? Share in the comments.