Bathroom Contractors

Making It Legal: Remembering Building Codes

The building codes that are decided by the city or county where you live are designed for new homes and renovations to existing ones. So remodeling a bathroom will put you in touch with your local building department. The codes are created as a way to protect you from poor workmanship, which can be dangerous, and to provide a standard and uniform way that work, especially electrical and plumbing work, is completed. A building permit is issued by your local building department, which follows up with a series of inspections during various stages of the construction process and at its completion.

Discovering Some Coping and Scheduling Strategies

Some simple tips on when and when not to schedule a bathroom remodeling can make your life much easier. For example, do not remodel your bathroom in time for a major event such as a graduation or birthday party. You'll create undue stress that can't be avoided and make the project much worse than it has to be. It’s better to schedule the project when you’re not facing an imminent deadline and keep everyone happy.

Warning signs of questionable practices

Anyone who enjoyed watching the movie Tin Men may remember some of the deceitful business practices of the main characters. You need to be on the outlook for some of these practices, too. If you notice any of the following during or after an interview with a contractor, don’t hire that person:

Making It Legal: Remembering Building Codes

The building codes that are decided by the city or county where you live are designed for new homes and renovations to existing ones. So remodeling a bathroom will put you in touch with your local building department. The codes are created as a way to protect you from poor workmanship, which can be dangerous, and to provide a standard and uniform way that work, especially electrical and plumbing work, is completed. A building permit is issued by your local building department, which follows up with a series of inspections during various stages of the construction process and at its completion.

Recognizing a Good Contract

A contract may be one page that describes a basic service or installation if you’re hiring a subcontractor, or it may be a lengthy document that outlines in detail a major renovation that a general contractor will perform. NARI recommends that you consult with your attorney or personal advisor whenever you have questions or concerns about a remodeling contract.

Questions to ask when you interview a remodeler

When you interview contractors for a bathroom project, use these qualifying questions suggested by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) to find out more about their business:

Finding your professionals

Some people brag about their fancy car, and others praise the expertise of their wine merchant. Most of our friends brag about having the best and the brightest contractor, and they won't tell you his name because they want to keep him to themselves.

Subcontractors and specialists

Knowing exactly who does what in a remodeling project gives you an idea of what to expect. Here's an A to Z rundown of subcontractors and specialists involved in a bathroom-remodeling project. Not all of them may be involved in your bathroom remodeling, but we're sure you'll meet some of them.

Kicking Back While the Pros Do the Work

If you decide to hire professionals for your remodeling project, they’ll take care of it all- from the designer who plans the layout of the room and all its fixtures, to the plumber who runs the pipes and sets the fixtures, to the electrician who installs the wires, outlets, switches, and lights. In addition, many specialty contractors lend their talents, including workers who install ceramic tile, cabinets, countertops, windows, doors, wallboard, and flooring; the painters; and the wallpaper hangers. Considering that bathrooms have a relatively small square footage, a disproportionately large number of specialty workers and skill sets are involved.

Doing It Yourself of Hiring A Pro

 Remodeling can consume your life from the very beginning. It can easily become the most important thing in your life from the second the thought of remodeling creeps into your mind to the time when you actually say, “Honey, let's redo the bathroom,” to the point where you think, “Whose idea was this?” to the day when you finally say, “Glory be to God, it's finished.” Everyone is affected by remodeling, even in a house with multiple bathrooms. That's why in most cases the faster the bathroom remodel, the better. To achieve that goal means putting in the time before the tear-down so that the redesign and rebuilding process can take place on time and on budget. This can mean hiring professionals for all or some or none of the job. Your participation can range from managing the work of others to doing all or some of the work yourself.