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4 Expert Tips for Finding the Right Contractor for Your Renovation

Sweeten Living Room

/ Courtesy of Sweeten

Why does it always feel like the hardest part of a home renovation is finding the right general contractor for the job? You need someone reliable, who understands your vision, has the know-how to give you the final product you want, and someone you feel comfortable communicating with and welcoming into your home, day after day. Easier said than done.

But before you start scouring the internet and asking everyone you know for advice, our friends at Sweeten offered up a few smart tips to keep in mind. Sweeten is a matchmaker—but instead of landing you dates, it lands you a general contractor perfectly suited to your home remodel needs, for free. What’s more, the company monitors your project until it’s completed to make sure things go smoothly.

To keep your budget, vision (and sanity!) under control, here are four pointers to help you find the right Philadelphia contractor for your next big project:

sweeten kitchen

/ Courtesy of Sweeten

Choose your renovation must-haves.

Before you begin any project, you need to decide which upgrades would be nice to have and which upgrades you need to have. Sure, marble countertops look luxe, but wouldn’t you rather replace the hardwood floors or add in a commercial-grade stove instead? Decide on the upgrades that will not only improve the look and feel of your home but also your lifestyle and go from there. You’ll need to create a clear vision of how you want the final product to turn out in order to find the right professional for your project. In the best of circumstances, you’ll be able to afford both your must-haves and nice-to-haves.

Determine who to hire for your remodel.

Now that you know what you absolutely can’t live without, determine who you need to make those dreams a reality. For example, you’ve resolved to create an open concept, so you know you’ll need someone with experience taking down walls and getting permits from Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses & Inspection. You’ll want to speak with at least three general contractors to find the best price and fit for your project. Always prepare a list of questions to ensure they have the necessary licenses and ask to see examples of their previous work.

Sweeten Bathroom

/ Courtesy of Sweeten

Research renovation costs.

People’s biggest concern before entering into a major remodel are undoubtedly the fear of unexpected costs. To avoid any unwanted price hikes, you’ll need to do your research before any demolition is done. Don’t know where to begin? Sweeten has an overview of Philadelphia remodel costs to help you break down your project by square foot, materials, labor costs and more. According to Sweeten, the starting point for a full renovation in Philadelphia is $100 per square foot, but that can go over $300 depending on your scope and finish level, meaning how expensive your choices are for materials such as tile, lighting, etc.

Enlist help.

Wouldn’t it be nice to hand over the reins of the whole renovation project to a pro? You can. Sweeten is free to use and will match you with the best general contractors for your project so you can skip ahead to the fun—planning out your dream design! All you need to do is post your project and the Sweeten team will connect you with experienced experts who meet your budget, style and timeline. You’ll choose which contractor you want, and the Sweeten team will serve as a liaison between you and the pro (from beginning to end) to address any issues, answer your questions and keep things running smoothly throughout the entire process.

Your dream renovation requires the right general contractor. Let Sweeten find the best local professionals for your next big project.