Top 27 Questions to Ask When Doing A Major Remodel

A major remodel is an exciting time, but it can also be a little stressful! You’re working towards your dream home, which is great but trying to manage contractors, budgets, and keep the remodel running on time is definitely a lot to deal with. To help ease this process and ensure your remodel goes well from start to finish, we’ve put together a list of questions to work through so that you feel prepared and ready for a remodel.

With our extensive experience in real estate, our questions can serve as a guide on what to look for and different considerations you’ll need to take into account so that your major remodel goes off without a hitch!

1. Should I Hire an Architect?
   The answer is yes! They can also get you bids from a contractor or hook you up to the right general contractors. Architect + General Contractor = good check & balance for the project.
   
2. What does their previous work history and portfolio look like?
   
3. Are there any statewide changes coming up that will impact my pricing?
   
4. How much from the initial bid to final payment will the average project with you go over the initial estimate? 10%, 20% or more?
   
5. What licensing and insurance do you have? Subcontractor plan?
   
6. What is the schedule and what is your past performance related to schedules?
   
7. How do you source materials? Can I order anything online & early to save money?
   
8. Getting materials on time is important, should we pre-order sometimes and store them somewhere?
   
9. Who is the project foreman and is he on site every day?
   
10. Is project security a factor?
    
11. Are there projects I could do concurrently to lower costs for both?
    
12. Are there other projects that are more critical, or of more value you have going?
    
13. How many projects do you normally do at once? While my project is going how many will you have?
    
14. Do you know the city permitting process that the house is in? Has your past work been in this city & how do you feel about the permitting process?
    
15. How are bonuses awarded by contractor to their project manager and foreman and are any of these in opposite interest of the homeowner?
    
16. How are change orders handled?
    This is a critical process and potentially budget breaking process, so definitely a good one to establish upfront!
    
17. How do you communicate and how often?
    
18. How do you handle cost over runs and schedule over runs?
    
19. What is my time involvement and how much do I need to be available?
20. What about this remodel project concerns you?
    
21. What documentation do I get when the project is complete? Warranty?
    
22. Payment schedule?
    
23. Have you worked with a construction lender before? Are you comfortable having a lender involved?
    
24. Landscaping – is this in the bid or not? What is the plan?
    
25. Any dirt work and/or retaining walls needed on my lot?
    
26. Interior Design. Let’s discuss the overall plan upfront and who will be involved.
    
27. Who will be selecting major Interior Design features that are permanent? Who will be selecting the non-permanent interior design features such as furniture?

We hope that this list of questions serves as a great jumping off point and can help guide discussions during the remodel planning so that you can plan effectively. Remodels often end up being costly and going over budget, and while that isn’t always easily preventable, having even some of the questions answered upfront can help you prepare for that. We’re always here to help with real estate-related and homeowner questions, so please feel free to reach out and we’ll guide you as best as we can or get in you in touch with someone who can help!