When considering a bathroom remodel, people take intentional steps to find a good contractor so they can have the best experience possible. The process of finding the best local bathroom remodeling contractors often begins by looking at the websites of reputable companies that complete bathroom remodels and renovations, reading reviews and then having initial conversations to learn more about the process. However, even after all the early research, you may still find yourself unsure.
Most people will recommend working with licensed and insured companies — which is important — but only a minimum threshold requirement. It is important to look at the differentiators that separate the best bathroom remodeling contractors from the rest of the pack, and we’re here to help! With years of experience in the remodeling industry, we have the knowledge necessary to help you navigate the remodeler selection process in a way that meets your specific project goals.
So, what are the goals of your bathroom renovation?
It is important to think about what you want out of your bathroom remodeling experience so you can effectively communicate your vision to prospective local bathroom remodelers. Most homeowners prioritize the master bathroom because it’s a high traffic space that provides the highest return on investment when selling a home. Bathrooms used by children often receive less expensive finishes unless the price point of the home and neighborhood dictate higher luxuries. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work with better contractors for less important spaces, but it shows that considerable thought should be put into your final decision since there are different levels to the investments and respective outcomes of various bathroom projects.
With that in mind, you must decide if you want to work with a company that offers bathroom design capabilities and guides you through the product selection process. The best bathroom remodelers help clients with both. For larger bathroom projects, we believe this is a critical part of the contractor relationship and should be an important part of your contractor selection process.
In a recent blog about kitchens and resale value, we listed out important questions to ask yourself when completing a remodel. Regardless of the space, those same questions require your consideration when meeting with potential local bath remodeling companies. To select the right remodeling partner, you must ask the right questions beyond the design and selection process. If you answer ‘yes’ to design and selection help, you should only look at companies that offer bathroom design as part of their business model. However, don’t pick up the phone and start dialing just yet because offering design alone is not quite enough.
All contractors are different. Some will tell you to buy your own supplies from a box store and then charge you for the labor, but there are also companies like ours that provide a full, one-stop-shop showroom experience that includes a range of product options at all price points and the help of a professional bathroom designer. When you work with a designer, you do not have to give up flexibility. We believe that we should provide you with ideas, but we always put options in front of you so you can make your own decisions. At The Lifestyle Group, we have a phrase that receiving yes and no answers are equally good. If you don’t like something, we can quickly pivot and show you an alternative option. We learn more about you along the way so we can pull together the perfect bathroom, regardless of price point! Keep in mind some of the best bathroom renovations do not use the most expensive products.
The best option for you depends on the value you place on time and your confidence and ability to navigate the product selection process without help. Some people are very comfortable doing this on their own, but we find many need the reassurance that comes with help from a designer. If you feel like you will need that extra helping hand, focusing on finding a local bathroom contractor accustomed to supporting their every step of the way. If you don’t place high value on having help throughout the design and selection process, no worries — you have just expanded your search pool!
When discussing selections with potential bathroom remodelers, be sure to ask where the products will be stored as they begin to arrive for your renovation. You would be shocked at how many contractors tell you they will be taking over your garage for several months. If you do not want to lose home space during the remodeling process, select a contractor that has their own storage facility. At The Lifestyle Group, we have a warehouse attached to our office where all incoming products for projects get staged until we are ready to install them.
One of the last key questions you should ask yourself during the project partner search is who do you want in your home doing the work? Or do you care? At The Lifestyle Group, our employees handle most of the work so we can control the client experience, quality of work and schedule. We’ve found that too many subcontractors are focused on their own businesses to make our clients a priority, so a heavy reliance on subcontractors negatively impacts the work we do.
Before you even consider pricing, we believe you need to decide what you want in a partner. With a better understanding of what products and services each contractor offers, you can better select the best company. If at any point there is a breach of trust, price agreement or final project delivering, you can pause and pivot to another company. In most cases, bathroom project pricing relies on multiple factors. There are plenty of areas where you can save or spend more, and you can avoid major problems by making the right contractor choice. Doing thorough research and asking the questions outlined above will go a long way in making sure you protect your investment.
If this blog generates any other questions for you, feel free to contact us! We are happy to help, especially if it means protecting you from a bad experience. If you’re ready to remodel your bathroom and work with a contractor who will help you every step of the way, consider The Lifestyle Group for your next project. We’d love to talk through your vision and build a beautiful, functional space that adds more value to your home.