Here at J.T. McDermott Remodeling, no one quality speaks more to our work ethic than integrity. We’ve written about how important it is to work with a remodeling contractor you can trust, but when it comes to specific rooms, there are some additional qualities to look for. If you’re gearing up for a bathroom remodel, here are some tips to ensure you’ll be working with someone who has your best interests at heart.
Bathroom Remodeling Contractor Red Flags
Bathroom remodels are second only to kitchens in their complexity. They require a qualified and skilled design-build team with deep knowledge of electrical work, flooring, plumbing, and ideal layout. A well-designed and built, on-time and on-budget bathroom remodel is no easy task.
When talking with a bathroom remodeling contractor, pay attention to what they do and don’t talk about.
- Moisture resistant drywall. A poorly designed bathroom might easily be compared to a leaky roof – unwanted water that can cause great damage before you know it. To prevent moisture problems in bathrooms and avoid having the bath of your dreams become a living nightmare, you’ll need effective ventilation, proper water containment, and wall systems designed to dry to the interior and exterior.
- Replacing the existing plumbing. Older homes often require swapping out the valve body, changing the shut-offs under the sinks, and checking to see that the supply line is good. If we’re replacing the shower and taking off cultured marble to replace it with tile, the odds are good it’s time to update the fittings as well.
- Adequate venting. An open window is not a ventilation system! Modern bath conveniences like steam showers and soaking tubs release a lot of moisture into an enclosed space. Don’t let your perfectly designed bathroom suffer due to an inadequate ventilation system. Even if your local code considers the window sufficient, we believe that’s asking for trouble down the road (and just as bad as picking a cheap, noisy fan).
We recommend a high-quality ultra-quiet fan that vents to the exterior of the house, not into the attic, as some contractors do. Most are unobtrusive and well worth the investment.
If the bathroom remodeling contractor you’re talking to doesn’t bring up these three points, we consider it a red flag that should give you pause. We always tell our clients what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.
Questions to Ask
We never recommend giving a contractor the third degree, but there are some important questions you should ask to help you decide if they’re the right person to handle your bathroom remodel.
- What is their experience level – how long have they been around; how many bathrooms have they done?
- Are their trade partners all licensed? Who will be doing the actual work?
- Will they apply for any needed permits?
- Do they have the proper insurance?
- Who are their suppliers and distributors? If they say they can save you a ton of money on materials, be careful! Dig deeper and ask where those supplies are coming from. Is it big box importer or a family business supplier/manufacturer?
It also helps to talk about what their remodeling process is and how long it will take, how they handle communications, and what you can do to help make the process as smooth as possible.
Learn More
When you choose J.T. McDermott for your bathroom remodeling project, you are also buying the supportive network of people around us. We believe it’s what sets us apart from a lot of other bathroom remodeling contractors.
We value our client relationships and, as a family-oriented business, offer exceptional and personal service throughout the Greater St. Louis area. Our reputation is contingent on our giving each of our clients the individualized attention they deserve, regardless the size or scope of their remodel.
Want to learn more about who we are and what we do, drop us a line today. We look forward to meeting with you!
