Archives for April 2018

Tips for Finding the Right Remodeling Contractor

You don’t want to trust just anyone with a remodeling project. After all, this is going to be someone who tears apart at least one room in your house before putting it back together in a new, improved way. Misplace your trust and you could have a disaster on your hands. You need someone with experience, not just experience doing the job but experience providing customer satisfaction. But with so many contractors available how do you choose the right one?

Ask Your Friends and Family

Before you start perusing the yellow pages or prowling online directories, ask your friends and family for referrals. Did your sister recently have her kitchen remodeled? Do you have any friends in the real estate business who might know someone? Put a blanket request for recommendations out to your social media and see what responses you get. Not only will this save you time in searching for contractors and narrowing them down, but this way, you already have at least one trusted source vouching for them.

Do Your Research

Once you have a list of recommendations, look them up. Check out their website and go through their list of services as well as their story and their experience. You should also check review sites to make sure that everything they say about themselves on their website holds up. Some will be general review sites like Yelp, Better Business Bureau, or Google reviews, while others might be home improvement specific sites like Porch or Houzz. You want to find contractors with an A or A+ rating on BBB, and preferably a few awards that show they have a commitment to quality.

Do a Few Interviews

Have you narrowed down your list at all? Now it’s time to pick up the phone and conduct a few interviews. Have your questions in mind before you call. Your questions are up to you, but you should be able to describe the work you need done. Ask if your work is something they can do, if they have any references (whether from suppliers and financial institutions or past clients…or preferably both), how many projects they handle at once, if they work with subcontractors and how long they’ve worked with those subcontractors. Once you’ve talked to them on the phone and checked references, meet them in person to get a better idea of how they do business and what they can do for you.

Get a Quote

If you think you’ve decided, it’s time to get a quote. For your quote, the contractor will come out and visit the site, get a full idea of the work you need done, and present an estimated quote for materials and labor. Even if you still have a few options, this is the best time to get a quote, as the quote might be the deciding factor in who you want to go with. Keep in mind that the cheapest option is not always the best option. You don’t want to be overcharged but high quality work is worth paying for.

Sign the Contract

Once you’ve decided, it’s time for a contract to be drawn up and signed. By now, you’ve researched this company thoroughly and should be confident that you can trust them with your home for your remodeling. Congratulations!

If you’re looking for a remodeling contractor in Bryan-College Station, look no further than Windham Construction. With over 20 years of experience in the area, we take on a number of remodeling projects, both outside and in, and we’re committed to your satisfaction. Check out our reviews and contact us to set up a meeting or a quote.

4 Reasons to Remodel

As we move further into spring, many homeowners are considering remodeling. Are you one of them? There are multiple reasons to remodel: it’s not always to fix an obvious problem. Sometimes remodeling simply reflects your new tastes or makes room for new changes in your life. Sometimes it’s just a way to be more comfortable in your home. Whatever your reason, a quality contractor can make the process comfortable and the finished work exactly what you dreamed of.

Here are a few of the most common reasons for remodeling:

The Old Room Doesn’t Work Anymore

If it is broke, fix it. This is the most obvious reason for remodeling. It could be that the room was damaged due to a flood, leak, fire, or other catastrophe. It could be that the setup or appliances in the room all desperately need updating. Or it could simply be that your tastes have changed over the years. Maybe blue used to be your favorite color, but now you’d love to have a yellow kitchen. Remember that you don’t need a “big reason” to remodel. If you feel it’s time for a change and the old room isn’t doing anything for you, change it.

Changes to the Family

In many cases when homeowners find they’re expecting a new addition to the family, it’s time for a room addition. However, it’s possible that you already have a room in your house that can be converted into a nursery. Maybe that home office or workout room never got used, or maybe a roommate moved out some time ago. Sometimes the change is just a matter of changing the furniture around, but to make the nursery really feel homey, a full remodel or at least paint job is a good idea. On the other hand, maybe your baby’s all grown up and ready to move out, and now you’re considering a number of options for their old room. Maybe now you need a workout room, or you’re thinking of installing a sunroom. There are a number of options which could call for a remodel.

Add Value to Your Home

Is it time to move? Maybe it’s not time yet but you know it will be before long. In that case, you may want to do some remodeling to make sure that your home is ready for the next family who lives there. Maybe the way it is now works for you and your family, but all new updates and current design trends will draw the eye of potential buyers and help you raise your home value.

Eco-Friendly Updates

Trying to go green? Remodeling with low maintenance materials that have low toxicology impacts can help. You can have energy efficient windows installed or switch to something like recycled glass tiles in your kitchen or bathroom. Eco-friendly updates not only help you reduce your carbon footprint but boost value to your home. Just remember to recycle old appliances like toilets, sinks, and light fixtures. This way they won’t end up in a landfill, and organizations like Habitat for Humanity will always be willing to make use of them.

Whatever your reason for a remodel, trust Windham Construction in Brazos Valley and our 20 years of experience. We can help you with energy efficient updates and quality finishes for remodels both inside and out. Contact us today for more information.