Customer's Frequently Asked Questions
Isn't The Smartest Way To Buy A Kitchen, Or Any Renovation Project, By Getting
Several Firms To Bid On The Same Plan?
Yes & No. Yes, it's important to visit a number of companies (hopefully, recommended by either someone you
trust or has done a recent project you have admired) to get a sense of who they are, what they have to offer, and
how they operate. These exploratory visits are much like interviewing attorneys to draw up you will: you want to
determine the firms's capabilities, and the person's credentials who represents that firm, to satisfy your
needs.
On the other hand, getting three or more firms to bid on the same plan is really counter- productive. One of the
very best services you should expect from a professional in the remodeling field is a thorough Needs Analysis. Your
answers to some design solutions you never thought of and which still may be within your budgetary needs. Their
goal should be the same as yours: to help you get as much as possible for the sum you are willing to invest.
How Can I Tell Which Company's Proposal Represents The Best Value?
There are four factors that affect the price of every remodeling project: it's scope or size, the quality of the
products specified, the nature of the design, and the number and quality of the services performed.
Now let's take a kitchen project as an example. No doubt, you have asked the three potential kitchens suppliers
to have their price based upon the same job parameters and quality grade of cabinetry, countertops, and related
products.
So that means you only need to evaluate (a) how well the design from each company satisfies your needs (and
pleases your senses) and (b) how good their services are relative to their respective prices.
When you do that you should be able to tell which price represents the best value.
How important is it that my contractor be highly experienced with custom homes and fine
remodels?
If you've chosen a contractor who has successfully handled tough projects several times over, chances are he'll
do a great job again, and this time it will be for you! A contractor experienced in custom homes and fine remodels
brings peace of mind by providing references from recent jobs.
Why choose a contractor with a solid background, a proven track record and someone that's a member in good
standing with the Better Business Bureau?
A contractor with a consistent history of delivering high quality jobs and unprecedented customer service is not
only more likely to be in business tomorrow and next year, they are also capable of addressing any concerns that
arise in a timely manner.
What about insurance?
It is vital that your contractor be adequately insured for liability and workman's compensation in order to
protect you as the homeowner and give you the peace of mind that you are safe from litigation.
How do I know for sure my contractor really is insured?
Good question! Simply go online to the
Utah State License and look up the contractor by their license number, or by their
company name. MBL Construction operates under License #.
I'm considering moving instead of remodeling. Which is smarter?
That depends on your situation. In the early years of your mortgage loan, most of your payment goes to interest.
If you sell during these years your loan balance is barely paid off and it subtracts from the sales money you would
get. Also, you'll be starting over with a new loan when you buy another house. If, instead, you take an equity loan
and pay it down as you continue to lower your mortgage, you can personalize and improve your current home without
relocating and disrupting your family life. You can have that new kitchen, room addition, master suite with private
hot tub and waterfall—or whatever you've been dreaming of—without the hassle of moving.
But won't remodeling disrupt my life?
Yes. But remember, it's only temporary and generally lasts only a few months. When it's over, the years of
enjoyment will likely make your sacrifice seem small in comparison.
Will I need floor plans to obtain a permit? I wouldn't know where to start!
Don't worry. We do the blueprints as we work with you. If you like we can design your custom home for you and/or
walk you through the project via a 3D virtual tour. Only when you're satisfied with the finished product will we
submit the floor plans to the appropriate city or county for a permit. And since we only design floor plans for our
own projects, we give you our full attention, start to finish.
Sounds like you only do large jobs?
Not at all. We welcome projects of all sizes. An appointment for on site estimate is just a phone call away. We
can design a small bath remodel or a total home makeover. We love to do kitchens and baths.
Anyone this qualified, that offers so much, must be expensive. Right?
Not true. We offer outstanding value for what you get. While we probably won't be the cheapest choice, we will
be very competitive when it comes to overall value and service. A remodel is stressful enough. The last thing you
need is a bad experience from a self-serving contractor that cuts corners with cheap materials and poor
workmanship. With MBL Construction, you'll get outstanding service, from design to floor plans, to
permit, to finished project...all from only one phone call. We look forward to hearing from you.
QUESTION:
I am planning on remodel my small kitchen this summer, anyone worked with
someone before that does a good job? I've had some bad experiences with contractors before, they are
mostly always late and sometimes don't even show up or they trying to rip me off. I need someone that's
reliable and will do their job right.
ANWSER:
Plenty of contractors looking for work out there now. Make sure the people you hire are licensed and
insured like MBL Construction. And make sure they do not hire illegals. Never give a deposit up front, if
the contractor has no credit with his suppliers do you really want to do business with him/her?
One exception;
Custom made cabinets will require a deposit because they are being made to fit your kitchen. Pay the contractor
for his supplies the day they are delivered and pay him weekly based on percentage of job completion.
When the job is completed hold back 10% untill all inspections are approved then pay him his 10%. You should
expect the contractor to do a good job in a timely fashion and he expects to be paid in a timely fashion.
Good contractors like MBL Construction always show up when they are supposed to. Dealing with a contractor is
not rocket science. You expect a good job done timely and he expects to get paid. When one party does not live
up to expectations the job can hit a speed bump.
One last point, Contractors are not going to order cabinets, take out permits and schedule you in without a
down payment. With this advice contractors will think that you are not ready to do the work and will not take
you serious.
QUESTION:
Should I hire a professional like MBL Construction to remodel my bathroom?
ANWSER:
When considering remodeling you really have two choices, doing it yourself or hiring the services of a
professional contractor. You will need to examine the advantages of doing so.
Perhaps, the biggest advantage to having your bathroom professionally remodeled is the end result. It is
a known fact that most professional contractors produce better work than most do it yourselfers. In addition
to better results, you may find that a professionally remodeled bathroom may help to increase the overall value of
your home.
Another is if you do not have the time to do it yourself. In addition to producing quality work, MBL
Construction is able to get their work done in a fairly decent amount of time. This is where their previous
experience comes in handy.
In addition to saving time, you may also not want to have the responsibility of remodeling your own
bathroom. A bathroom remodeling project is a large amount of work, especially if you are looking to have every inch
of your bathroom remodeled. Your responsibilities will not only include deciding what you want remodeled, but the
fixtures that you would like to have replaced and so on. For someone inexperienced in home improvement, this
can be a lot of work and responsibility; in fact it may just be too much.
Next is the cost. As previously mentioned, MBL Construction will produce quality work. That is why it
can get quite inexpensive to have your bathroom professionally remodeled. The overall costs of remodeling will all
depend on how much remodeling you need to have done.
Last but not least is the feeling of freedom that you may have. Whether you decide to add on
extra work or eliminate work, you may find that changing your mind with MBL Construction can give you feelings that
someone is listening to you and the freedom to change your mind.
QUESTION:
Basement Remodeling Contractors: What should I know?
ANWSER:
The most important thing that you should look for is that they are licensed and insured. This demonstrates
that they have proven to your state and local government offices that they are capable of doing what they say and
that if something goes wrong, they have insurance to cover the damages.
Second, you should focus on general contractor like MBL Construction. Remodeling or finishing a basement is
different than a typical home remodeling. It involves knowledge and skills in certain areas which many
contractors may lack. By using MBL Construction you can feel more comfortable that they will perform the
job properly.
Take the time to find out about MBL Construction, you are considering. Ask if they have any prior
clients who you could contact and if they do, take the time to call them. Also check online with Angie's List
(www.angieslist.com) and with the better business bureau
(www.bbb.org) to find out if they have any formal complaints
lodged against them.
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