How to choose the right contractor for your home remodel in West Michigan.
As we head into remodeling season, many homeowners in West Michigan, including Holland and Byron Center, begin thinking about home renovations. Whether this is your first remodeling project or you’ve been through the process before, choosing the right contractor can be a daunting task.
When homeowners start getting estimates for their project, they often run into familiar scenarios:
A contractor they really like is booked out for months, but they want to get started sooner
They receive several estimates, but the price point is much higher than expected
They find capable contractors, but those contractors don’t fully understand their needs, or the chemistry just doesn’t feel right
When faced with these situations, homeowners can quickly feel overwhelmed. That’s often when a rushed decision is made—sometimes hiring a fly-by-night contractor who disappears midway through the project, or a contractor who promises they can do everything themselves but ultimately delivers sub-par work.
To help you navigate this process, here are a few important things to consider when hiring a remodeling contractor.
Check Credentials and Insurance
This should be an obvious starting point, but you may be surprised by how many unlicensed contractors are bidding—and getting hired—for large residential remodeling projects.
To be clear, there are contractors who do excellent work in unlicensed trades such as trim carpentry, drywall, or painting. However, you do not want an unlicensed contractor performing work that requires a license under Michigan law, such as electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work. In many cases, a licensed builder or remodeling contractor will legally subcontract this work to properly licensed trades.
There are several reasons this matters:
Licensed trades require specific training and knowledge of the Michigan Residential Code
If an unlicensed person performs work that requires a license, their insurance may deny coverage in the event of a failure
In that situation, the homeowner—not the contractor—may be left responsible for repairs, warranty or not
In addition to licensing, make sure your contractor carries the appropriate insurance for the scope of work being performed. Most homeowners look for General Liability insurance, which is important, but some remodeling projects require additional coverage depending on the work involved. A reputable contractor in Holland or Byron Center should be willing to provide proof of insurance and clearly explain what is covered.
Review Previous Work and Client Reviews
A professional remodeling contractor should be able to provide examples of past work and client feedback that can be reviewed by prospective homeowners.
Google Reviews are a great place to start, as they’ve become the standard platform for evaluating local contractors. When reading reviews, consider the following:
Are reviews posted consistently throughout the year?
Does the number of reviews reasonably match how busy the contractor appears to be?
Do the reviews sound like they were written by real homeowners, not scripted testimonials?
If the volume of reviews seems low, it may be something as simple as the contractor being bad at asking for them—but it can also indicate that reviews are being selectively requested.
Whenever possible, ask your contractor to connect reviews with specific projects. Seeing photos and hearing the story behind a remodel helps you better understand the contractor’s workmanship, communication style, and overall process.
Ask Questions About Materials
When you remodel your home, you’re investing in custom work, not a spec build or a quick flip. Because of that, it’s important to understand what materials are being used and why.
A good remodeling contractor should know their materials well and be able to explain when to use certain products—and when not to. For example, MDF paints beautifully and can be appropriate in dry, low-impact applications when properly sealed. However, it does not perform well in high-moisture or high-wear environments.
There have been cases where entire custom kitchens were built using MDF cabinet boxes. While they may look great initially, homeowners can find themselves facing major issues years later as materials break down—often long after warranties have expired. Asking the right questions upfront can help you avoid costly surprises down the road.
Conclusion
Any major home remodeling project can be stressful. It becomes even more stressful when the wrong contractor is hired.
Most contractors genuinely want to do good work and deliver a quality product. However, even well-intentioned professionals can run into problems if they take on work outside their qualifications. And like any industry, there are unfortunately bad actors who should be avoided altogether.
Taking the time to verify credentials, review past work, and ask informed questions can make all the difference. Doing your due diligence upfront can save you from major headaches later—and help ensure your remodel is done right the first time.
Looking for a Remodeling Contractor in West Michigan?
If you’re planning a remodel in Holland, Byron Center, or the surrounding West Michigan area, we’re happy to talk through your project—even if you’re still in the early planning stages.
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