How to Choose the Right Licensed Contractor for your Home Remodel

You’ve decided it’s time for a bathroom, kitchen, or even a full house remodel and you don’t want to try to do the work yourself. Or, maybe you lack the time and skills necessary to tackle a DIY home project, so you need to choose a contractor to get the job done for you.

Homeowners often feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right contractor for their home remodeling project. It’s an important decision to make, after all, it’s your home and money at stake.

Think of choosing a contractor like you’re hiring a new employee for a job. If you were hiring an employee, you would take the time to research the applicant and make sure they are the right fit. You wouldn’t just hire the first applicant, nor should you hire the first home improvement contractor you come across without doing your research first.

Licensed contractor portfolios are similar to resumes and they should be examined for previous work, licensing, insurance, and more. You should also ask friends and family for referral and sometimes get multiple competing quotes before making your decision.

Read on for our tips on how to choose the right licensed contractor for your home repair and remodeling.

Step 1: Ask Around

Your first step in finding the right contractor for your project is to compile a list of 10-15 local contractors who have the right skills and expertise to get the job done.

You can pull your list together by doing the following:

– Ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations, especially ones that have recently had renovations.
– Do an online search for contractors Columbia SC
– Take a look at online reviews and testimonials

Step 2: Check Portfolios

For best results, you’ll want to choose a contractor who specializes in the exact type of remodel you need. If you want to remodel your bathroom, it makes sense to find a contractor that specializes in bathrooms and has a portfolio of recent work to show you.

Additionally, you should look for a contractor that has a creative eye as that can provide additional support throughout your project. Review all potential contractor’s portfolios and find the one that has the most impressive and relevant work.

Step 3: Check Licensing, Certification and Insurance

If you’re looking into several potential contractors, a good way to narrow your list down further is to ask about their licensing, certification and insurance information.

It’s important that the contractor that you choose for your project have the correct licenses and certifications to complete the job safely and legally. Additionally, making sure that they carry liability insurance will prove helpful should any kind of accident happen on the job.

Step 4: Get Quotes and Hire Your Contractor

At this point, you should have eliminated any contractors from your list that offer subpar work. The last step is to price the job by asking for a quote.

If you have several contenders, you should schedule consultations with each of them and they will provide you with a quote for service as well as details regarding the timeline of the project and materials they would be using.

Keep in mind that it’s not always better to go with the lowest priced bid. Sometimes the materials used and the amount of work will differ from contractor or contractor. Each home remodeling contractor offers their own unique methods and ideology, so it’s important that you choose the one that best fits your needs and style.

Remodeling Columbia SC

When it comes down to finding the right contractor for your home improvement project, it’s your job to do your research and find the one that suits your needs.

At Cayce Home Improvements, we offer some of the best building contractors Columbia SC has to offer. If you have a remodel project coming up, we’d be happy to show you our portfolio and give you a comprehensive quote for service.

Termites; the bane of many Columbia homeowners. Termite infestations can seriously compromise the structural integrity of a home and cause thousands of dollars in damage. The worst part? Most homeowners aren’t even aware it’s happening.

It’s important that homeowners have a professional termite inspection done on their home at least once every two or three years. However, there are some red flags that homeowners should be on the lookout for that indicate the presence of termites.

Here are the top five ways to tell if your home has termites and Termite Damage.

Swarmers

Swarmers are the young male and female winged termites that are of reproductive age. Once springtime rolls around, termite swarmers will emerge from their nests in search of a mate to start a new colony with.

Once the swarmers find their mates, they tend to settle in and get nice and cozy in your home’s crawl space and foundation.

If you see these swarming termites or their discarded wings hanging around your window sills or doors, this is a good indication that the termites swarmers have chosen your home for their new colony.

Mud Tubes

The most destructive of the termite species is the subterranean. These pests build mud tubes that provide moisture when they travel between their colony and the food source.

If you have a termite infestation at your home, you may see these mud tubes near your home’s foundation. This is a sure sign that termites are present and are using your home as a food source.

Damaged Wood

Termites eat wood from the inside out, so a great way to check your home for Termite Damage is to be on the lookout for hollow wood. If you tap on a piece of Termite Damaged wood, you will notice a hollow sound.

You should also keep an eye on pieces of wood that are blistering and falling apart. These are additional indicators that termites are destroying the wooden parts of your home.

Hard to Open and Close Windows and Doors

You may mistake your sticking windows or doors for a sign of hot, humid weather; however, it could also mean that you have a termite problem.

Termites produce moisture when they consume wood. When they tunnel through the wood on your windows and doors, the frames can become warped making it difficult to open or shut windows and doors in your home.

Frass or Termite Droppings

Frass, also known as the fecal matter that’s pushed out of termites while they tunnel and eat wood, is another common sign to check for termites in your home.

While some termite species use their feces to build their tunnels, dry wood termites keep their tunnels clean by pushing their feces out of small holes around their nest. The result is small black marks and a powdery substance around the area that they are living.

The bigger the pile up of frass, the bigger the termite infestation.

Conclusion

While the above signs are good indicators of a termite infestation, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions and try to take action on your own.

For best results, you should contact your local termite remediation specialist to inspect your home and determine the best course of action.

The professionals at Cayce Home Improvements have decades of experience in termite remediation and can help you to identify the infestation, rid your home of the pests, repair any damages and then continue to follow up to ensure they don’t come back.

If you think you may be dealing with termites in your home, don’t wait until the problem is out of hand and you’re dealing with costly damages. Give us a call today for your free inspection.

Bathrooms are an essential part of any home, but one that is sometimes overlooked. By updating your bathroom or adding a new bathroom, you can add some serious value to your home.

A good bathroom remodel is a great way to improve the salability of your home, while also making it more practical for you and your family. Potential homebuyers put a lot of emphasis on a home that has a beautiful and functional bathroom space.

An updated bathroom can be a deal maker or breaker in a home sale. Even if selling your home isn’t on the horizon, having an efficient and comfortable bathroom space will bring your family joy and pleasure.

The Value of Bathroom Remodeling Columbia SC

Your outdated Columbia can usually easily be renovated within the parameters of your current space, without having to add on or do a major home remodel.

A lot will be determined by your budget. If you’re budget is small, don’t despair! There are plenty of ways to make small updates to your bathroom that can really increase the value of your home.

In order to determine what needs to be done, you’ll first need to consider the practical aspects of remodeling your bathroom. Before any Bathroom Remodeling work can begin, it is important to make sure that everything works properly with no damages or leaks.

If there are any issues that need to be addressed, you’ll want to have those fixed before moving on to focusing on the cosmetic updates. Keep in mind that plumbing, structural and electrical upgrades and fixes are usually costly, so knowing what needs to be done beforehand can be extremely beneficial when budgeting your bathroom renovation.

After making sure that everything is in top working order, you can start to think about the logistics of your remodel. First, you need to decide if you’ll need a new layout, more room, or just an update on the current style. Determining this will help you figure out what your costs and budget for the project will be.

The Top 3 Bathroom Remodel Projects That Net You the Highest ROI

If you want to update your current bathroom but don’t have the budget to completely gut it and start fresh, here are the top 3 smaller projects that will get you the best return on your investment.

1. Install a new vanity

The vanity in your bathroom is important. Its where you get ready in the mornings, perform your nightly self-care routines and more. Updating your vanity to make sure it’s at a comfortable height and is visually appealing is one of the best ways to ensure a bigger return.

A new vanity will usually include; countertops, faucet, and sink. With the right designs and materials, you can have a gorgeous new vanity that not only serves you and your family but will be attractive to potential homebuyers should you decide to sell.

2. New Flooring

Replacing the flooring in your bathroom will dramatically change its overall appearance. Old, outdated flooring tiles can be engineered to look like wood or stone, which offers a cleaner, more modern look and feel. Additionally, you can install radiant-heat mats underneath your bathroom flooring which is an attractive feature for homes in cooler climates.

3. Install a New Tub or Shower

Particularly in master bathrooms, the current trend is to get rid of the bathtub and install a large, walk-in shower. Large soaking tubs are still a valuable option if you have the space, and you definitely want at least one tub in the home. Jetted whirlpool tubs are on the out now as they are difficult to maintain and often have troubles.

Many homeowners choose to install a luxury shower in lieu of a tub because they simply don’t use their tub enough. Showers are more comfortable and convenient.

Whether you decide to remodel your bathroom with a new tub or shower, this is a simple way to add a lot of value and convenience to your home that can end up increasing the value of your home.

Hire the Right Bathroom Remodeling Columbia SC Contractor for the Job

When it comes to remodeling your bathroom, one of the most important decision you can make is finding the right contractor to get the job done.

Cayce Home Improvements has a long history of high quality bathroom renovations in Lexington and Columbia SC. Give us a call today to schedule your consultation!