How to Hire
Engineers, Architects and Other
Qualified Remodeling Tradesmen

How to hire a professional in any trade, let me count the ways. We are bombarded with information on this subject - the net, TV, radio, magazines, newspapers and books. How do you sort through all the data to get to the bottom of this overload?

Don't. Don't sort, don't ignore it, but, don't feel like you have to review every single thing out there. Read what you can, research what you need to, get comfortable with your decision making and then jump out there to start interviewing. Include family members to get a broad viewpoint and buy-in.

Our company selected professionals that we have worked with for years. A trusting relationship has allowed all of us to function more smoothly and efficiently. Whether you are doing one small project or creating a master plan for your dream home remodeling create this same team of trusted professionals. Learn how to hire for the long run.

I want to help you in this process without overlaying my viewpoint on every decision you might make. Rather than referring you to my favorite electrician, I think it is better to send you to sources that will show you how to hire your favorite. My electrician appreciates this too, as he probably won't be able to help you if you live in New York City.

The sources I have selected are for trade or rating services within the industry. As you begin your research, you will notice an arrogance within each group. An arrogance that implies that if a company does not belong they are probably not very good. Take this with a grain of salt and realize that every association, every rating company and many of the most rabid consumer watch dog groups charge membership dues. From the groups' point of view, they must protect the reasons for joining. From the tradesmens point of view, I would rather spend my money on cool new tools for your project then joining yet another group that might represent my interests.

Contractors and Subcontractors

Contractor.com is the place to go if you are looking for a general or subcontractor within any construction trade. Their tradesmen pay membership dues, but the group has maintained a high degree of integrity since the beginning. In addition to the locator service, they also have the best articles on how to hire, what to ask for, what to document, what to expect and how to advocate for yourself. The only thing I would add for you, is to ask each tradesman if they are willing to work with you the do it yourself remodeler. Clearly convey what your expectations will be, formulate your questions so that they must respond with detail, examples and sincerity.

Electricians

After researching some of the heavy hitter electical trade groups, I was the most pleased with electriciansnetworks.com. They seem to be much more focused on helping you connect with a qualified electrician. When you visit their site, stop long enough to read their articles on diy electrical. Bonus!

Plumbers and Mechanical

Visit this plumbers and mechanical site to select these tradesmen. While there read their article on simple maintenance tips. Good stuff. Oh, what is mechanical, you ask? These are the guys that work on furnaces, air conditioning, boilers, exhaust fans, jennairs, etc. They control the flow of air in your house.

Architects

Architects can be found at this site. They have a referral service and also offer great information on why you would want or need an architect.

Engineers

Finally, I went to the big trade sites for civil engineers, ASCE and NSPE. I could not find where they specifically address the how to hire issues. I did find their codes of ethics, which gives a clue on the industry hotpoints. Rely on the how to hire instructions from contractor.com and adjust it to fit this group. Go to the phone book or ask your acquaintenances for a referral. You will need a structural engineer for things that deal with concrete, framing, roof loads and beam calculations. It is always a good thing to have an engineer on your team.

Due Diligence

You have worked so hard on your home remodeling plan, so don't stop short right now. Keep going and exercise due diligence in this important phase of your project. If all things are equal between 2 candidates, go with your guts. Who listened to you? Who appeared to have your best interests at heart? Who felt right? Who will be the best member of your team? Trust your instincts when answering these questions and hire that individual or company.

Please, please, please, do not hire on price alone. This will be your first step on the road to a bad contractor story. I guarantee you that if you shop long enough, you will find someone who will do it for your price. Instead, please take the high road, hold to your standards and if you must wait to save money to hire the one you want, then do so.

It is industry standard for most contractors to give you a free bid. It is customary to get 3 bids. Remember that even though that bid is free to you, it does not come without cost to the contractors. As the scope of work changes through discussions with each bidder, allow the first estimators to have access to these changes. That way you are comparing apples to apples.

Great job, you are forming a powerful team! Keep going, head back to Cost Remodeling to fine tune your design. Please contact me with any questions, comments or concerns you might have on this most important issue of how to hire these professionals. Let me know how the ratings companies are treating you and what kinds of responses you get. Your feedback keeps everyone striving for excellence.

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