Questions To Ask Your Bathroom Remodeling Team

Picking a bathroom remodeling contractor is just one of the many decisions you’ll have to make when remodeling your bathroom in the Fox Cities and Green Bay — and it could very well be the most important one! You want to find a contractor with experience, expertise, and credibility, but choosing the right one isn’t easy.

We’re the first to admit that not every bathroom remodeling company is the right fit for every customer. If you’re in the process of finding a contractor for your upcoming bathroom renovation, asking the right questions is critical. We’ve gathered a few questions to help you find the right team for the job.

1. How long have you been in business?

Experience is the best teacher. Contractors and plumbing companies that have been in business for a long time have the experience and expertise to back up their work and provide excellent customer service. You can often find this information on a company’s website, but be sure to probe a little deeper and ask how the company has grown, expanded its services, and kept up with the changing market and trends over the years.

In case you haven’t heard, we’re proud to say we recently celebrated 60 years of plumbing services throughout the Fox Cities and Green Bay. Over those years, we’ve continued expanding our team and services to grow, adapt, and provide better customer service.

2. Are you licensed?

The Department of Safety and Professional Services issues licenses and credentials here in Wisconsin. It’s an easy way to weed out potentially shady or unqualified contractors and plumbers before your bathroom renovation begins. You’ll mostly run into issues with this if you’re looking to go the “handyman” route rather than working with a professional. Just use caution!

3. Do you have insurance?

Proper insurance protects you and the company you’re working with, just in case something goes wrong. Any reputable contractor will have insurance and be able to answer questions regarding insurance policies for you. Ask for proof of insurance before moving forward with your bathroom remodel.

4. Do you belong to any professional organizations?

Professional organizations, such as the local Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities, offer educational and networking opportunities that help businesses grow and expand various skills and services. They also support charitable and volunteer opportunities for members that benefit the community. While involvement in a professional organization isn’t necessarily a “make it or break it” factor when choosing a bathroom remodeling team, it is a sign that the company is committed to ongoing growth, supporting its employees, and connecting with the communities they serve.

5. Do you have references or examples of previous work?

Bathroom before and after photos, videos, customer testimonials, and reviews are a great way to see the quality of work and customer service a bathroom remodeling company provides before beginning a project. Most companies should be ready and willing to show you examples upfront, and there’s plenty available online too.

At Watters, we love showing off our bathroom remodeling work on our Facebook page — and we’re proud to have a 4.6-star rating on Google.

6. How are payments structured?

We get lots of questions regarding payments. Customers should keep in mind that many factors impact the cost of a remodeling project — from materials used to the extent of the work. However, the company should be able to tell you what type of payment plans they offer and work within your budget.

Here at Watters, we use GreenSky and offer 12 months of deferred interest and no payments or 9.99% APR for 84 months. We’re always happy to answer questions about financing options.

7. What is the project’s timeframe?

Due to the countless unknowns that come with bathroom remodeling — from product availability to Wisconsin weather conditions — there is no guarantee that a project will be completed in a specific timeframe. However, you want to talk about the project timeline upfront. Contractors and plumbing companies often work on multiple projects, so you want to be sure your bathroom renovation can feasibly fit within your expected schedule.

8. Are there any permits necessary?

Bathroom remodeling projects often require specific permits, varying from city to city. Your contractor or bathroom remodeling team should be able to address this with you early on, so nothing comes as a surprise.

9. What recommendations do you have for my bathroom?

While it’s great to come in with ideas and research, we always recommend brainstorming and collaborating with your bathroom remodeling specialist. As the experts, they are on top of the latest bathroom remodeling trends and may have ideas, product recommendations, and insights you would never have thought of on your own. Our bathroom remodeling design team loves working with customers to build the bathroom of their dreams.

If they can’t provide any input, especially regarding the feasibility of your ideas and the overall structure of the space, they might not be the right fit.

10. What does the remodeling process typically look like?

While every bathroom renovation is a little different, the bathroom remodeling contractor should be able to give you a baseline as to what to expect when you do a bathroom remodel. Ask whether you’ll have to vacate your home for any length of time, whether or not you’ll have to cut water or power, how many workers will be on-site, etc. Some basic information about the remodel can help you plan accordingly.