Five tips to help you face the fears that may be keeping your dreams from coming true.
You want to do a home remodeling project—maybe a kitchen update or a full bathroom remodeling project. You have an idea of what you want as far as how the kitchen countertops should look, and how the kitchen cabinets should function. You know you want a fully enclosed glass shower with multiple sprayers and floor-to-ceiling tile. Knowing what you want is the easy part. It’s the things you don’t know that make it hard to get started.
Does it scare you to call a contractor? Does it scare you to invite a home remodeler you don’t know into your home? Does it scare you what it might cost, and what if you can’t afford it?
At Medina Exteriors & Remodeling, we’ve been doing remodeling projects for homes in Medina, Ohio, since 1992. Along the way, we’ve kind of figured out what folks like you might be worried about. If these worries keep you from calling a home remodeling contractor in the first place, then we think you should know more about what you don’t know in advance.
Here’s what you may be worried about when it comes to a kitchen or bath remodeling project, or any home remodeling project for that matter, also including roofing, siding, basements, and windows:
Fear Factor #1: Communication
In any home, kitchen, or bathroom remodeling project, unexpected issues will crop up. That is almost inevitable. You should ask your home remodeling contractor up front what his contingency policy is, and how he communicates with you.
If it seems like he struggles to find an answer, keep looking. At Medina Exteriors & Remodeling, we communicate and keep you connected to the project. You’ll know what’s right, what’s wrong, and what’s the plan for the next steps. Best of all, you’ll feel like you’re in the know throughout the home remodeling project.
Fear Factor #2: How Long Will This Take?
Many of our customers at Medina Exteriors & Remodeling worry about how long we’ll be in their homes. You need to use your kitchen, right? You need to use your bathroom and shower. And you can’t do that if it’s a long-lasting construction zone.
We know you worry about that, and so we do two very important things: 1). We don’t overbook projects. We want you to feel like you are our ONLY customer. And so we only take on projects we can do in an efficient period that matches your expectations. 2). We over-communicate. We use the Co-Construct app to communicate every portion of your home kitchen or bathroom remodeling project. You’ll know when we are coming. You’ll know who is coming. You’ll know how long we plan to be there. And you can plan accordingly because we keep our word.
Fear Factor #3: What Is This Going To Cost?
Cost is the number one concern people have when considering a bathroom or kitchen remodeling project. And the fact of the matter is, you won’t know until you call a contractor and get a quote. Yes, that can be scary.
A few tips:
1). Get a few referrals from a friend or relative. We’ve got a whole list of testimonials about home remodeling projects on our YouTube channel if that helps. Then, call two or three of them to compare apples to apples. A good home remodeling company won’t mind giving you a price quote or at least a solid ballpark estimate. And that shouldn’t cost you a dime.
2). Let the home remodeling folks know that you are “just in the first stages.” If they balk at coming to see you or try to pressure you into a decision, they may not be the right choice for you.
3). Be open and honest with them. Go ahead and share your dreams for your bathroom or new kitchen space. And it’s ok to share your budget constraints, too. A good contractor will want to hear what you want and then help you find a solution that matches your dreams come true with a budget you can live with.
Fear Factor #4: I’m No Designer!
Many of our customers see something they love on the Home Remodeling channels and immediately want that for their homes. But they are worried that they may not be able to describe it accurately enough to make their dream kitchen or dream bathroom come true. Look for a home remodeling contractor that includes a design team on staff. Someone who can “see” what you see. Better yet, allow that designer to try to improve upon your vision. Working together, you and the home remodeling contractor of choice can do even better for you in your space than you could have imagined on your own.
Fear Factor #5: I Don’t Want To Get Ripped Off
A common yet unspoken fear that keeps a home remodeling project from getting off the ground is the fear of paying more than you should for quality that is not up to standard. There are stories all over the internet and on the news about home remodeling contractors taking advantage of customers who don’t know the difference between quartz and granite countertops or don’t realize that the right permits were never secured.
All that we can tell you is that if you look for a kitchen or bath remodeling contractor with plenty of good references, who has been in business for a long time, and who is part of your community and cares about their reputation, you should be just fine. Don’t look for the cheapest option, as that can lead to trouble. Look for the best option for you, your family, your dreams, and your budget.
The bottom line is that you should never let fear of the unknown keep you from taking the next step toward making your dreams come true with a new kitchen or bathroom remodeling project.
A new, updated, fully functional kitchen can give you added space and entertaining options for years and years to come. And there’s nothing more enjoyable than a shiny brand new master bathroom for you and your home.
Don’t let fear keep that away from you. That would be sad! Improving your life by improving your home should be a home contractor’s only goal. That is nothing to be afraid of.
Medina Exteriors & Remodeling does home interior and exterior renovation projects in and surrounding Medina County, Ohio.
