How to Choose a Remodeling Contractor: Key Points and Precautions Explained Here!｜Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd.

Hello! This is Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd.!!

Many people might be thinking, “I want to do roofing work or exterior painting on my house, but I don’t know how to choose or research a good contractor…”

Nowadays, if you search for “exterior renovation in ○○ City” on Google or Yahoo!, you can find many matching sites and renovation contractors.

On the other hand, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and not know which one to choose…!

To avoid making mistakes in selecting a contractor for your home renovation, which can be a significant expense, I will share some key points here!

If you are considering renovations, please take a look.

 

How to Choose a Contractor

Let me introduce some of the main methods for finding contractors in order.

Matching Sites that Connect Contractors and Customers

The first method is a matching site (quotation aggregation site) that connects contractors and customers.

This site introduces multiple contractors in your area who can perform the work you desire, allowing you to receive multiple quotes at once.

Even though it’s called a “multiple quote,” you basically input the necessary information, and then coordinate with the matched contractors or the site operators to schedule a “site survey” that is needed before the quotation.

At this time, it’s best to avoid contractors who are unprofessional or have excessively slow responses.

It’s preferable to work with contractors who listen carefully to your requests and are available at any time.

Some of you might think, “Isn’t it too early to judge at this stage…?” However, since you will be hiring a contractor for potentially expensive work on your important home, I recommend paying attention to any initial discomfort without letting it slip by.

For example, if a contractor is unprofessional or slow to respond, they may not provide proper support when it really matters, and they might be even less responsive when it comes to inconvenient matters.

At Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd., we operate on a model where we receive payment only after the project is completed and the customer is satisfied. Since there are no financial transactions at the time of contract, it is indeed possible to decide to cancel. However, payment timing varies by company, and methods such as 50% payment at contract signing and 50% upon project completion are not uncommon.

Canceling after financial transactions can be burdensome for customers, so making a definitive decision in the initial stages is crucial.

Points to Consider When Choosing a Contractor Beyond Their Response

・Check if they have a unique warranty system or after-sales support system.

In addition to the contractor’s unique warranty system, some matching sites may offer their own warranty systems for free, so please verify this.

・Review actual construction photos (project achievements).

If there are numerous actual construction photos available from the contractor, it not only helps you visualize the outcome after the work is done but also allows you to assess the contractor’s technical skills through clear images.

・Is the price reasonable?

While you may consider the contractor with the lowest price from multiple estimates as the top candidate, extremely low construction costs may indicate that necessary work has been omitted or that the contractor lacks sufficient knowledge and management. Therefore, it is advisable to thoroughly check the contractor’s project achievements, reviews, and warranty systems.

Conversely, contractors who quote excessively high prices may be significantly inflating costs due to intermediary fees from the matching site, which ultimately becomes a disadvantage for the customer.

While I would like to advise caution, I also want to avoid situations where you might dismiss a contractor who actually has solid project achievements, a robust warranty system, excellent after-sales support, and good customer service based solely on speculation. If there is no obvious and unnatural price difference compared to other companies, it would be wise to include them in your comparisons, investigate each contractor’s website, and reassess them against others.

Contractor’s Website

The second point is to contact the contractor directly through their website without going through a matching site and request a quote.

The process generally involves:

・Gathering customer information and scheduling an on-site inspection.

・Visiting the site to assess the condition and take measurements (on-site inspection).

During this time, ensure that your requests and concerns are thoroughly listened to.

・Receiving a quote.

The speed at which the quote is completed is not the only factor; it is better to have a carefully prepared quote that reflects the condition of your home. If the quote is too rough or simplistic, it may lead to problems later, so caution is necessary.

・If the customer decides to proceed with the construction, they should contact the contractor.

This is a rough outline of the process.

While estimates through matching sites often do not incur fees, some companies may charge for them, and even direct interactions with contractors may involve quoting fees, so it’s reassuring to confirm this in advance.

At Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd., on-site inspections and estimates are free.

If you’re wondering, “I want to get multiple estimates, but I’m not sure if I want to request work here yet…” feel free to request an estimate!

 

Flyers and Advertisements

The third option is flyers and advertisements.

Renovation contractors advertise in various ways, such as flyers that fit in your mailbox, town sign advertisements, and bus ads.

If you find a flyer from a contractor that interests you, keep it and compare it with other contractors. Taking photos of sign advertisements and directly contacting several companies for estimates is the best method.

Flyers and advertisements often clearly present the specialized services of the contractor, making it a suitable way to find contractors for those who are not good at searching online.

For roofing, guttering, and exterior work and repairs in Kanagawa, contact Kakerukoumuten Co., Ltd..

AAA is a young company with an average age in the early 20s, but our technology is second to none.

One of our greatest strengths is that we can do all of our own scaffolding, roofing, and painting work. In this industry, where work is generally divided, we are able to provide a complete set of services, which saves time and effort in management and reduces costs. Above all, if there is any trouble, we will come to you right away!

We can confidently declare this. We are the youngest and most friendly renovator in Kanagawa!