How To Find The Best Bathroom Remodelers Near You (2024)

Wondering where to find a bathroom remodeler near you? We’ve got you covered. Whether you ask friends and family, browse online reviews or do everything in between, we’ll fill you in on where to find the best contractor for the job.

Start With People You Know

Getting referrals from people you know and trust is a smart place to begin your search. Ask family, friends and neighbors who they’ve hired for their bathroom before and afters. Another valuable resource is your realtor. The agent you used to buy or sell your home (and navigate the stressful home buying and selling process) will likely have a network of go-to contractors they trust and can recommend for your bathroom remodel.

Check Online Reviews

Tackling a DIY bathroom remodel project can drastically cut labor costs. But before you pick up your sledgehammer and ripping bar, it’s important to consider the following questions.

• Are you planning to change the size or layout of your bathroom? Altering the size and layout of your bathroom involves moving electrical wiring around and redoing plumbing. This requires a permit from your municipality, so it’s best to leave the job up to a licensed professional.
• Do you have the skills? While you can cut costs on painting, hanging cabinets and replacing lighting and faucet fixtures, other projects like tiling your bathroom walls require experience using tile cutting tools such as nippers to make precise cuts around plumbing fixtures. You also need knowledge of flooring and drywall installation.
• Do you have the time? A full-scale bathroom remodel can take a team of remodeling contractors up to four weeks. So you can imagine how much longer it would take a DIYer. If the bathroom is your primary one, it may be best to hire a pro.

You’ve decided to hire an expert bathroom remodeler and scheduled an onsite visit for three contractors. During the in-home interviews, consider the following questions to help you choose the best professional for your project.

1. Can I view examples of your past projects?

Expert bathroom contractors will have examples of their work for homeowners to view. The contractor might bring a book of sample projects to the estimate or provide you with a link to their website gallery page. Don’t just gloss over the examples. Take time to view past projects for expert workmanship. You can achieve this online by zooming into photos to ensure the tilework and framing are aligned properly and evenly.

2. Can you provide references?

Asking a remodeler for references might feel embarrassing, but it’s an essential step an expert contractor will likely be used to. Ask each bathroom remodeler you’re considering for three references. These questions can get you started:

• When was your project completed?
• Did the bathroom remodeler meet your timeline?
• Did your project go over budget?
• Would you hire the contractor to remodel a second bathroom?

3. Can you furnish proof that you are licensed, bonded and insured?

Your bathroom contractor should hold a state license, insurance certificate and bond that proves they possess the credentials and resources to do the job.

License: Ask the contractor for their license number and input the number into your state licensing board website to verify the business is in good standing.

Insurance: Contractors should also provide you with an insurance certificate to cover damages in the case of an accident during construction or if a subcontractor gets injured while working on your bathroom remodel. Insurance policies can vary, but most standard policies cover up to $1,000,000 per incident.

Bond: A bond protects homeowners if the bathroom remodeler doesn’t pay the city for required permits or compensate their subcontractors. Bonds range from $10,00 to $100,000 depending on your state.

4. Will you be working with subcontractors?

It’s common for project managers to hire subcontractors for plumbing, electrical, tile work and demolition projects. Ask your contractor about their screening process for subcontractors.

5. What is the payment schedule?

You and your bathroom remodeler will agree on the project rate, down payment, materials cost, the number of payments you’ll make––and when they’re due. Make sure the contractor records all payment details in the contract before the project begins. A typical down payment is 10% but can vary depending on the project scope and timeline. However, never pay more than 50% upfront––and keep good records. Consider construction delays when scheduling the final payment.