Basement finishing -
choosing the right contractor is the most
important decision you'll make during any home remodeling project!

Basement finishing is a big step in home remodeling.

1. References - Be sure to ask for references by doing your homework. Talk to homeowners who have used this contractor and find out if they were satisfied. Ask questions: Was the work finished satisfactorily? Was the work finished on time? How comfortable were they with the company's workers in their home? Did the contractor communicate regularly and return phone calls? By going to www.utah.gov you can do a very easy business entity search as well as a contractor's license search insuring your contractor is who he says he is.
2. Compare, compare compare - When you have several competing basement finishing bids, it's important you are comparing "apples to apples" in fairly judging across the board. Make certain you explain the job as completely, accurately and in a similar fashion to all contractors, to ensure they are all bidding on the same project. Be sure to consider factors beyond price: your comfort with the company itself, their reputation and experience level, and other intangibles. Remember, the success of your renovation project is about much more than just money. There are many things that can make your remodeling job become a nightmare. Check and see if the contractor has a reputation of finishing on time, on budget, and of keeping commitments. Will he respect your current living space and strive to keep it clean and in order.
3. Go beyond simply accepting the lowest bid - You really do get what you pay for. Many times, homeowners accept the lowest bid, only to find themselves unhappy with low-quality work. Contractors may bid aggressively, promising to do the same job as higher-bidding competitors. Work can take longer than planned, pressuring these competitive bidders to then cut corners wherever possible. By carefully looking at bids and contractors, it can be less expensive to pay up front for the upfront quality. Do a simple Google search, search the business name, and search the business phone numbers. You will be surprised what you can find people just like you are egger to share their experiences both good and letting you know what you can realistically expect.
4. Proper licensing means proper protection - It's a scary thought; but if you hire an unlicensed contractor - just because of a lower price - you could be legally liable for any injuries occurring on your property. You could be held liable to pay un-paid subcontractors and material suppliers even though you have paid your contract in full. Lien laws may not be enough protection if you deal with unlicensed contractors. Make sure that it extends to subcontractors too - each subcontractor must be licensed as well! Watch out for contractors with little to no business duration. On occasion un-reputable contractors will switch their company name to avoid negative reviews, showing their true quality of work. A company that has worked hard to hold and maintain a strong business reputation will continue to strive to achieve that business reputation on your job.