Checklist: Questions to Ask a Home Addition Contractor

One area of the home improvement industry that remains strong despite a weak housing market is building a home addition. Homeowners who decide they need a bigger home but can’t justify selling their property frequently turn to home addition contractors. Of course, building onto a home can be just as much of an ordeal, if not more so, compared to hunting for, bidding on, and closing on a new home. No matter what your reason for building a home addition, you need to know quite a few things about your prospective builder. Answers to some basic questions will give you a sense of whether or not you could work comfortably with a particular home addition professional. Below are some questions to ask:

Questions to Ask before you Hire someone to Build onto a Home

• How long have you been building home additions?
• Were you formally trained or how did you acquire your experience?
• Do you belong to any professional associations?
• Are you licensed and registered with the state?
• Are you insured?
• Do you have any references I may contact?

Questions about Your Home Addition Contractor’s Work

• Do you give written warranties?
• Will this project require a permit?
• Can you estimate how long this will take?
• Will you provide options for different materials?

Interview Question for References

• Were you happy that you decided to build onto the home?
• Was the addition completed on time?
• Were there any unexpected expenses?
• Would you use this home addition contractor again?
• Would you recommend this home addition contractor?

That said, not all home additions are created equal, and you should tailor your questions for your specific projects. A carport or backyard shed is not the same caliber project as an extra bedroom or a new master bath. Likewise, you should seek out references that completed a similar project in terms of building onto a home.

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