Why It’s Best to Vet a Remodeler Before Hiring Them

When it comes to hiring a remodeler for your home, the decision process can feel unpleasant. Your home is one of your most significant investments, and trusting someone to come into your space and carry out renovations or structural makeovers requires patience & trust. In the digital age, potential remodelers are easy to find, but choosing the right one takes a bit more effort. And spending that time to find the best one is well worth it! It will end up costing you time, stress, money, home aesthetics, safety and more, if you hire a remodeler simply because they provided you with the cheapest quote. One of the best ways to ensure you’re making an informed decision is by checking a remodeler’s Google reviews and visiting their website. Here’s why these two steps are essential before deciding to hire a local remodeler or home restoration team.

1. Google Reviews Provide Real Customer Feedback You Can Trust

Reading reviews on Google can give you an unfiltered look at a remodeler’s reputation. Unlike marketing materials or sales pitches coming directly from the company, Google reviews are written by real customers who have first-hand experience with the company’s services. They’re not there to sell you on anything. They’re just being honest about their experiences. These reviews reflect a range of experiences, providing you with organic insight into what you can expect in terms of quality, reliability, and customer service.

  • What to Look for in Google Reviews:
    • Consistency: A pattern of positive reviews generally indicates a dependable remodeler. If the remodeler has numerous glowing reviews, it’s a good sign that they’re skilled and trustworthy.
    • Detailed Experiences: Pay attention to reviews that are specific about the remodeler’s work. Comments that explain what type of work the reviewer hired the remodeler for (e.g., kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, aging-in-place accommodations, home additions, etc.), the professionalism of the crew, and how the project was handled will provide you with actionable insights.

By reading through these reviews, you can get a clearer idea of whether a remodeler is the right fit for your project and your treasured space.

2. Google Reviews Help You Assess Reliability and Trustworthiness

When hiring a remodeler, you’re looking for someone you can trust to complete your project on time, on budget, and to your satisfaction. Google reviews can provide you with information on how reliable a remodeler is. For instance:

  • Satisfaction: Were previous clients happy with the job overall? And even better… were they going on & on about how great their experience was?
  • Communication: Was the remodeler responsive to emails and phone calls? Did they keep clients updated on the progress?
  • Quality of Work: Were customers satisfied with the final result in regards to quality of work? Did the work meet their expectations?

These are all factors that directly influence the success of your remodeling project, and Google reviews can offer valuable insights into these aspects that you just can’t get anywhere else online.

3. Their Website Offers a Deeper Understanding of Their Services

While Google reviews can help you assess a remodeler’s reputation, their website will provide a comprehensive overview of what they actually do, and the website will also give you a feel for the company’s personality & team culture. A professional and well-organized website can give you the following critical information:

  • Service Areas and Specialties: The website will tell you if the remodeler works in your area and if they specialize in the type of project you’re planning. Some remodelers focus on kitchen renovations, while others may be more experienced with full-home remodels, bathrooms, or outdoor spaces. But there are some remodeling specialists that can offer customized projects to you AND handle it all. And BONUS if they’re a company who can also help guide you through the insurance process if you’ve recently experienced storm damage.
  • Portfolio of Work: A good website will showcase a portfolio of past projects or a gallery of photos. This gives you a chance to see the quality and range of work they’ve completed. By browsing through their project photos, you can get a sense of whether their style aligns with your vision and if they are capable of handling your specific project.
  • Certifications and Credentials: Reputable remodelers will include their credentials, license numbers, and any industry certifications or awards on their website. These can include memberships in professional organizations like the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and/or their local Chambers. This is important for verifying that they adhere to industry standards and that they are legitimate. It also speaks to the company’s character in showing that they care about being plugged in to their community.
  • Transparency About Pricing: While some remodelers may not provide exact pricing on their websites, many include information about their pricing structures or offer free estimates. Sometimes, their Contact page will let you know what their project minimums are. Knowing how they approach pricing can help you determine if their services fit within your budget. But, it never hurts to reach out to them and inquire about your specific needs. Maybe they’ll make certain exceptions for certain projects or during certain times of the year. Best to just contact them and ask. Best case scenario, they will work with you.
  • Testimonials and Helpful Information: Just as with Google reviews, testimonials on a remodeler’s website offer social proof of their skills. Look for detailed articles & blogs that explain helpful relevant information provided by the remodeler. Also look for an FAQ page. These can give you a better understanding of their problem-solving skills, creativity, and desire to educate the masses.

4. A Well-Maintained Website Demonstrates Professionalism

How a remodeler presents themselves online can be a reflection of their professionalism. A well-designed, easy-to-navigate website suggests that the remodeler values communication, quality, accuracy, and is committed to providing a positive customer experience. On the other hand, a website that is outdated, cluttered, or difficult to navigate and missing things like photos, contact information, past project details, awards and more, might indicate a lack of attention to detail, a disregard to care for their clients, an unprofessional attitude… or all three.

Having an updated and polished website is a good sign that the remodeler is serious about their business and the service they provide.

5. You Can Compare Multiple Remodelers More Easily

When you take the time to read reviews and check out the websites of multiple remodelers, you create a level of comparison that can help you make a more informed decision. By gathering a range of information about each remodeler’s strengths and weaknesses, you can find the one that fits your needs best.

Some things you can compare include:

  • Reviews that highlight customer service and professionalism
  • Photos of past projects to assess quality (ALSO CHECK OUT THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES)
  • The types of services and specialties offered
  • How easy it is to get in touch and request estimates

This comparison allows you to narrow down your options and make an educated decision that aligns with your budget, timeline, and expectations.

6. A Great Remodeler Should Be Transparent and Accessible

By reviewing both their Google reviews and website, you gain a sense of how transparent and accessible a remodeler is. If they consistently respond to reviews, provide clear communication on their website, and offer direct ways to get in touch, you can feel more confident that they’re an approachable and accountable partner for your project.

So in the world of home remodeling & restoration, finding the right remodeler is crucial to the success of your project. Before hiring anyone, it’s essential to take the time to read their Google reviews and visit their website. Google reviews provide real-world feedback about their reputation and reliability, while a well-organized website can give you an in-depth look at their services, work quality, and professionalism.

By combining both of these resources, you’re giving yourself the best chance of selecting a remodeler who not only meets but exceeds your expectations—ensuring that your home renovation is a smooth, successful, and satisfying experience.

 

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“It’s a wonderful feeling for us to bring a homeowner’s
remodeling visions to life.”

 

Contact Semper Fi Custom Remodeling and let us know how we can be of assistance during this time of recovery and restoration for our communities!

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