Have you decided your home needs a renovation? Minor or major, choosing the right contractor for the job can be the difference between a renovation you love and one that needs a total do-over.
When it comes to deciding on what contractor you’ll trust with your home makeover, there are several important factors you need to take into account and questions to ask. This blog will help you take the right steps in finding the best contractor for your needs, so your home renovation is a successful one!
Before you even start looking for contractors, you’ll need a clear plan of what you want done, and this includes a budget you plan to stick to. You’ll need to be able to tell any potential contractors exactly what you need them to do, and having a clear plan makes this much easier to communicate.
Your plan should include photographs of the current space, details about the dimensions and size of the room in question and information about current wiring, powerpoints, piping and lights in the space. Consider how much money you want to spend, not just on hiring contractors but on your fixtures, paint and materials as well. A clear budget will help you decide later on during the quote-collecting process.
What exactly are you wanting done in your renovation? Different contractors can specialise in certain areas, such as updating older homes into modern living spaces or creating luxury bathrooms. By choosing a specialist contractor, you can expect to enjoy tailored advice on how best to work with the space and pinpointed knowledge on what materials and fixtures are best to use.
Certain contractors may only perform work on particular areas of your property, so make sure any potential renovators you are looking into can perform the service you require!
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Depending on what kind of work you need done, you may need a permit from your local council. This can include if you are expanding up or out, adding elements that may produce excess noise or light, building an additional dwelling.
For more information on whether you’ll need a permit, make sure to read about planning and building permits on the Victorian Building Authority’s (VBA) website.
Once you know what kind of contractor you need to look for, it’s always a good idea to get the options of people who have had to hire these kinds of workers before. There are two major ways you can perform your research:
Relying on your fellow customers is a great way to get an honest and reliable review of any potential renovators you’re considering. They might also be able to advise you on a few tips and tricks for planning your renovation, like handy ideas for your layout, good materials to use, and clever ways to save a few dollars.
Questions to ask and answers to look for include:
You probably have a few different contractors you’re looking into at this point. A good way to narrow it down is to start checking what their qualifications are and reviewing all of their details.
Here are a few points you need to look into.
For large jobs, you’ll want to entrust your renovation to a registered business. This is especially important if you’ll need multiple types of work to be performed, such as demolitions, concreting, building and installation services.
Remember, if you just need a small service done, like painting, then your contractor may not need to be registered.
Check that the contractor you are interested in is registered using the VBA’s Practitioner Search.
Enjoy peace of mind by checking that any potential contractors have all the right licences in place to perform the work you need. These will usually be displayed prominently on their website, so it’s easy to check. Licences to look for include:
You should also look to see if your contractor has Public Liability Insurance. Public Liability Insurance covers builders against the accidental injury to a customer, member of the public or supplier due to negligent business practices. You can read more about Public Liability Insurance here.
Is your contractor a member of a prestigious group or agency? Memberships can indicate a high standard of workmanship and ethics, so it’s worth looking into any displayed memberships on your contractor’s website to see if they align with your values.
Look for links to prominent brands and businesses in the industry that are proud to supply their tools to the contractor. Some renovators will have ‘preferred suppliers’ for their fittings and appliances–if your contractor uses a brand you love and trust, it’s a good sign!
Check out DPC Construction’s About Us page to discover our many memberships, licences and insurance policy, and why we’re a great choice for your home renovations and home extensions in Melbourne!
The final thing to check for is any records of misconduct in the past. By using the Prosecution and Disciplinary Register on the VBA’s website, you can search for potential contractors to see if they have a record and what the outcomes and penalties were for their misconduct.
Being on the register doesn’t necessarily mean your potential contractor will fail to do a good job on your renovation, but it will give you something to look out for should you choose to use them for your property’s upgrade.
Finally, it’s time to reach out and start getting some quotes for your renovation. Using your detailed plan, reach out to any builders you are interested in to get a clear and accurate quote. This will make it quick to see if the contractor you are considering can work within your budget.
A good quote will be detailed and realistic. In your quote, make sure to get information about:
Try to get at least three quotes so you can compare prices, but don’t always go with the lowest quote, either. You don’t want to miss out on a quality build just to save a bit of money!
If you’re in need of a trustworthy, expert contractor for your next renovation, it’s time to reach out to DPV Construction. We are proud to specialise in performing high-quality, customised renovations and extensions for the kitchen, laundry, bathroom and even your entire home!
You can leave us a message online regarding your home renovations in Melbourne or give us a call to discuss your needs in real-time. We encourage you to explore our website and check out our past projects or visit our social media pages to see just what we’re capable of.
Get in touch, and let’s transform your home into your dream living space today!
