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A bathroom is an integral part of the house that a family cannot simply do without. When conceptualizing a major home renovation or altering a minor detail, one should sit down and decide for it because a bathroom is so much a part of our daily life.

A bathroom remodeling project may be one of the following:

• Changing or adding a fixture
• Changing the flooring
• Changing the layout
• Putting up a new bathroom wall to expand
• Complete tear-out/remodel.

Remodeling or renovating the bathroom is not something we do every day, and yet we want it beautiful and functional to serve our family’s needs. How do we pick the right man to handle the job?

There are things to consider when faced with the task of how to find a good bathroom remodeling contractor.

What is a contractor?

The dictionary describes him as a person or firm that accepts contracts to supply materials, services, and labor for a building. He is someone who supervises the over-all task until the building’s completion. He knows his job about building and dismantling, costing and pricing, and because this is his specialty, he should be able to establish good communication with the suppliers, the laborers, and the client. He should be fair, honest, clean, organized, punctual, and courteous.

Where can we find him?

In looking for a good contractor to remodel the bathroom, it is not enough to just open the yellow pages and dial. Ask your friends and neighbors and talk to business acquaintances who had experiences of hiring a contractor. Here is where you can pick up tidbits about the workmanship and integrity of the character of the man you want to hire.

The contractor should be open to suggestions on how you want your bathroom done. Experience counts a lot, and he may suggest this and that, but he must not be domineering and overbearing. It’s your bathroom after all. Never hire someone you are not comfortable with.

He should discuss with you how the job will be done. “From day 1 – we tear down this wall. Day 2, …” This way you’ll know what to expect, and not be caught by surprise in the middle of it. If it’s the only bathroom in the house, you should discuss with him the options about addressing the family’s bathroom runs on a daily basis.

It would be a good idea to get a good estimate from two or three different firms or contractors, given the same exact project or job order. This way you can compare prices. When the estimates are established, what would the deciding factor be?

Would you get the lowest bidder?

This would not be a good idea, although it may be very tempting. A low-priced contract may mean something was overlooked, and you may make additional payments in the end to cover up for the omission. It may also be a contractor’s “desperate” way to get the job, and might make up for the low price by “cutting corners” in materials and labor. In other words, low price, low quality.

Neither should you get the highest bidder, unless the price is only reasonably slightly higher. Consider the man/firm’s experience, reputation, and integrity.

There must be a schedule of payments that are understood by both parties. A down payment of one third of the amount of the contract price would be reasonable. Remember, there are materials that should be purchased. The second part may be paid out while the renovation has substantially progressed, and the balance handed out when the work is completed. One reminder though: the original contract price may change as they work their way through your house, especially if it’s a renovation project. Problems concerning the structure may be discovered along the way. When this arises, the contractor and the owner should have a good dialogue.