General Contractor

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Home Made Design offers construction services in all aspects of construction, but specializes in the remodeling industry. Our main focus in remodels are in the kitchen and bathroom portions of the project.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Don't be afraid to ask questions! We are the professionals that are supposed to have the answers. The construction industry is a field that changes all the time. There are so many informational aides out there and "do it yourself" guides that can be a help, but also a hindrance. Some projects are best left to the professionals, especially when it concerns issues of waterproofing in tiled areas, for example.

The other thing that is important to know when looking to hire a professional is; don't be afraid to get another opinion. Most contractors know when we have the opportunity to bid on a prospective project, that we are bidding against another contractor. This is just common process and most professionals will not be offended. This makes us work harder to please our customers while giving you the sense of feeling that you made an educated choice. Just remember, the lowest bid is not always the best way to go. If you have requested estimates from several contractors and one is significantly cheaper, something is usually missing. Either that contractor has left a detail(s) in the project out, or they are not following the correct protocols (mechanically or educationally). You can always check on your potential contractors through your state Contractors Construction Board.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. There are several contractors out there that will give a customer an estimate, for the scope of work discussed, without a detailed description of what is included in the bid. This is a way for service providers to make the bid seem more competitive. Often times, as the project progresses, customers find themselves with many "change orders" or "extras" on their final bill. Make sure that your estimate contains all of the specified details that are important to you. You can even ask for a contractor to note "options" in a estimate. This enables you to see what the basic construction costs are and decide whether you are still interested in doing all of the extra things you mentioned.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. The most important thing for a consumer to ask is whether the contractor is licensed and bonded. There are many people out there who call themselves "professionals" but have not taken the appropriate steps to be above the board. Secondly, ask for references and even a portfolio of past projects. Most contractors that take pride in their craftsmanship will be happy to offer you a sample of what they can do! There are many companies out there that will even offer you a sample of their work online.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Home Made Design is a unique construction company that not only provides unsurpassed construction services, but also offers several products for many areas of construction. We have developed great relationships with many of the top product providers in our industry and are lucky to display an array of these items in our office. In doing this, we are able to stay on top of the newest trends and product knowledge. Our vendors stop in monthly to bring in new samples and provide new information and education on product knowledge and installation. If there is ever a question that we don't have an answer for, we will be happy to seek it out.