Before you can begin your upcoming home remodel, you’ll have to meet with potential contractors. Sure, the overall cost of the project is going to be important, but you should take other factors into consideration before you get started. While interviewing candidates, here are six questions to ask.

What would you do to handle my particular renovation?
Every contractor reaches goals in different ways. Talking to each contractor about how he or she would handle your project will give you a good sense of which contractors work the most efficiently and who has the most skill. In addition, asking each contractor to explain his or her method will give you a sense of how well that contractor communicates with clients. Since you’ll be working closely with your contractor, it’s important to find someone with whom you can communicate easily.

Are you bonded and insured?
A contractor’s bond and insurance policy will help ensure your protection throughout the project. Insurance covers accidental damage, while a bond can be used to pay for faulty workmanship and other problems. Having these policies in place will help ensure that your contractor will live up to his obligation and the terms of the contract.

What’s the timeline?
Before getting started on your project, you’ll need to find out how long the contractor will take to complete your remodel and when you can anticipate the contractor will reach important milestones in the project. This is especially important if you’ll be undertaking a kitchen or bathroom renovation, because these rooms are so critical.

Is your bid fixed or estimated?
A fixed bid won’t change in price unless the job itself changes in scope, while an estimated bid can vary. Fixed bids protect consumers and enable homeowners to budget their money properly. Estimates can expose consumers to surprise expenses, leading to problems in the middle of the job.

Can I have an itemized bid?
It’s not enough to simply give a fixed bid; it also should be itemized. Being able to see the breakdown of the job can help you decide how best to cut corners and save money on your remodel.

Do you have any references?
Your contractor should be able to point you in the direction of previous happy, satisfied customers. In addition, your contractor should be able to show you pictures or talk about previous jobs that compare to the work he or she will be doing on your own home. This evidence of previous experience will show that your contractor is able to do the work to your specifications.

Craftsmen Home Improvements performs expert renovations in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. For a quote and to find out more about how we’d handle your upcoming home remodel, call 937-299-5201.

Most people will tell you there’s never a right time for big life changes – buying a house, deciding to start a family, making a cross-country move or career change, or starting a major kitchen renovation project. However, when it comes to home renovation, there are some questions you can ask yourself before undertaking a kitchen remodel to help you determine if you’re ready.

If you’ve thought about renovating your kitchen, here are some things to ask before you begin.

1. How much do you want to spend?
“The average kitchen costs between 10 and 25 percent, or more, of the market value of the house,” said Doug Readnower, co-owner of Craftsmen Home Improvements. “At the lower end of the range, you’ll be getting builder-grade cabinets, laminate countertops and vinyl flooring. The higher end of that range affords you quality cabinets with wood, dovetailed drawers and a soft-close feature, granite or quartz countertops, new ceramic tile or solid vinyl floating floors, a tiled backsplash, and new appliances.”

2. What don’t you like about your current kitchen?
If your current kitchen has a poor layout, is too small, or you’d like to create an open concept, correcting the problem during a renovation will be well worth the extra investment. “The best return on your kitchen investment is to cure inherent design defects and modernize the kitchen at the same time,” said Readnower.

3. What style and color of cabinets do you want?
With hundreds of cabinet options to choose from, this can be a difficult decision. A visit to popular websites, like Houzz or Pinterest, will provide endless images and ideas. Save the ones you like and share them with your contractor.

4. What amenities do you want as part of the cabinets?
Roll-out trays, deep drawers for pots and pans, under-cabinet waste and recycling bins, drawer organizers, tall pantry cabinets, a narrow cabinet for cookie sheets and serving trays, a wine rack – there are a variety of options, customizable for each homeowner. It’s just a matter of deciding what will work best for you.

5. What type of countertop do you want?
High-end kitchens usually boast granite or quartz countertops. Granite is a stone crafted by Mother Nature, so each piece is unique. Quartz counters are made from quartz and other minerals held together with a resin. Colors and patterns are consistent from one piece to the next, and it’s non-porous and anti-bacterial. “Both are countertops of choice by the vast majority of homeowners remodeling today,” said Readnower.

6. What type of sink do you like?
Do you like farmhouse style, extra deep, single basin, double basin, sinks made from stainless, porcelain or granite? When it comes to sinks the options are plentiful. “The old, easily scratched stainless steel sinks have given way to granite sinks that come in a variety of colors and are very difficult to scratch or damage,” Readnower said.

7. Do you have adequate lighting when you use the kitchen at night?
When updating their kitchens, most homeowners include the addition of recessed can lights over work areas and under-cabinet lights to eliminate the shadow cast by the upper cabinets, as well as to accent the beautiful new tile backsplash.

8. How do I find the right contractor?
Look for a contractor who has done hundreds of projects and won’t be learning on the job. Your contractor should be skilled in all aspects of the remodel, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, flooring and drywall.

Are you ready for your kitchen remodel? Craftsmen Home Improvements loves remodeling kitchens and strives to provide you with a reliable room you will enjoy for years.

These days, it seems like you can get a warranty on anything and everything, from toasters and waffle irons, to cars and high-end electronics. Even home improvement companies have been known to offer lifetime warranties.

A lifetime warranty on your shiny new kitchen remodel sounds good, right? Or maybe a little too good to be true?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a warranty is a written guarantee, issued to the purchaser of an article by its manufacturer, promising to repair or replace it if necessary within a specified period of time.

But what happens if your home improvement company goes out of business a few years after your project, and you discover you have a faulty installation?

“If you have a lifetime warranty from a company that hasn’t been around for the long haul, it’s a meaningless warranty,” said Doug Readnower, co-owner of Craftsman Home Improvements, who encourages homeowners to be skeptical and do their research.

Do your research
Part of that research is knowing that only 36 percent of construction companies remain in business after the first five years, according to Small Business Trends, and 95 percent of new businesses go under within ten years.

Many home improvement products on the market have warranties, but that’s not where the bulk of the cost comes from when you’re dealing with home improvement projects. The cost of labor to replace the warranted item should be a consideration.

“If you’re putting in a shower faucet, it’s usually buried in a wall and tiled over,” Readnower said. “If the faucet goes bad in two years, you’re paying someone to rip out the wall and replace the faucet.”

Install reputable products
The professionals at Craftsman Home Improvements not only provide a five-year warranty on kitchen and bath remodels to guarantee their work, but also use their experience and knowledge to help homeowners select only the finest and most reputable products to put into their home.

“This industry is littered with products that are the latest and best,” Readnower said. “I always say we will be on the cutting edge, not on the bleeding edge.”

The newest and greatest doesn’t always end up being the best choice, if the kinks aren’t all worked out. Home improvement professionals know how to navigate the new product landscape.

“The main thing is do your due diligence,” Readnower said. “Only deal with a company that has a reputation in your area and is using products that have been around for a long time.”

For over 25 years, Craftsman Home Improvements has been successfully remodeling homes in Dayton and greater Cincinnati. Craftsmen Home Improvements is one of America’s Top 500 remodelers and one of the 15 largest in Ohio. Call them today for your free estimate at 937-299-5201.

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, so one of the goals many homeowners have is to make their kitchen function more efficiently. Setting up the space properly can help you enjoy your kitchen, while also giving you more downtime to do other things. The following tips will help you make your kitchen more efficient:

1. Install more working space: One of the biggest problems in many kitchens is a lack of work space. With more counter space in your kitchen, more people can work together all at once. This makes food preparation easier, and it also can enable multiple people in the family to work side-by-side on different tasks. There are many ways to install more work space in your kitchen. While an island can help, so can a breakfast nook with a small kitchen table.

2. Make eco-friendly upgrades: A good way to reduce the natural resources your household consumes is to make eco-friendly upgrades during your kitchen renovation. Eco-friendly changes range from sustainable flooring to Energy Star-rated appliances to energy-efficient lighting. This can give your home a smaller carbon footprint, while also lowering your utility bills, so you’ll spend less money throughout the year.

3. Install modern conveniences: A built-in coffee maker, wine cooler and other modern conveniences can help make your kitchen more suitable for entertaining. In addition, charging ports for devices like cell phones and tablets can help make your kitchen more user-friendly for members of the household who need to stay connected to the outside world.

4. Reconsider your storage space: The presence of adequate storage space is critical for efficient use of the kitchen. Installing specialized storage options will ensure that everything has its place. For example, installing a spice cabinet for spices, pantry for food, pullout cabinets for large pots, and deep drawers for tools can help your kitchen stay organized and uncluttered. Have your contractor take a look through your current kitchen’s storage to determine which needs already are being met and which ones are not. Your contractor will know what types of cabinets are available and will be able to tell you which cabinets and drawers will meet your unique needs.

5. Install a food prep sink: Having a second sink on hand for food preparation will enable you to keep working throughout big meal preparations, without stopping to clean dishes. If you’re having an island installed, work with your contractor to include a second sink in the island.

For more suggestions and ways to make your kitchen more efficient, contact a skilled contractor with Craftsmen Home Improvements at 937-299-5201 in Dayton or 513-942-6300 in Cincinnati.

So, you’ve decided to give the green light to that home remodeling project you’ve been talking about for years. Depending on the scope and scale of the project, you could be looking at an estimate with costs anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000 (or more).

Some homeowners just aren’t prepared for that kind of sticker shock when it comes to remodeling. However, it’s not always the case of the contractor being high-priced. Sometimes, it’s a lack of a clear understanding on the part of the homeowner as to everything involved in the contractor getting the job done.

Having everything in writing protects you, the homeowner, and the contractor as a business owner who is about to do extensive work in your home. Thankfully, discerning an estimate from a professional contractor is easy, provided you know what to look for.

Important things that the estimate should include:

Detailed scope of work: An estimate from a professional contractor likely will be several pages long and highly detailed and organized.

Proof of licensure and insurance: Your estimate from a professional remodeling contractor will probably mention the fact they are licensed and insured to do business in your area.

Payment schedule: Though payment schedules can vary by the job, they should always be agreeable to both parties involved. Some professionals feel that tying payments to milestones works out better than those tied to percentages of completion. It’s up to you and your contractor to decide.

Duration of project: Although a project can take longer than expected for legitimate reasons, it’s always a good idea to put the expected duration of a project in writing. Having a timeline will calm your nerves if progress hits a slow spot.

Exclusions: A good contract should include a list of exclusions, such as things that will not be visible until the walls are opened up after demolition, or the level of cleaning you should expect after the work is complete.

Special tools or equipment required for the project will be listed in detail: Some home remodeling project require the use of specialty equipment that must be purchased, rented or hired to complete your project. For example, a room addition that involves a lot of digging up and moving out of dirt might require the services of a backhoe or an excavator. This cost often is passed on to the homeowner.

Outline of cost and materials being used: The materials you choose can have a significant affect on the cost of your remodeling estimate.

Written warranty: A professional contractor will offer you a rock-solid warranty that is clearly detailed and explained on the estimate. While this isn’t a guarantee that they will be around to honor it, take into consideration the contractor’s reputation, the length of time they’ve been in business, and how they conduct themselves to make that determination for yourself.

A home remodel is a significant investment, but it’s worth the time and money necessary to ensure you are getting the highest quality materials, installed by top-notch, experienced professionals.