Should I hire a local renovation contractor or big box store for my home reno?
When it comes to renovating your home, choosing the right expert to do the job is your first and possibly most important decision. You may be tempted to turn to a big box store to do the work, and why not? Most of them have locations all over the country, have been around for a long time, and therefore should be very experienced in any kind of renovation. Right? Maybe, but we have some pretty compelling reasons to consider a local renovations expert instead, whether you’re renovating a kitchen, bathroom or considering a full-house home renovation.
Personalized Service
Let’s face it, big box stores have a lot of customers. And they are usually servicing a lot of customers at the same time, in different locations. As a result, they may or may not have the bandwidth to offer you the kind of personal attention you need, especially if you’re renovating for the first time. It can be a scary proposition, and you want to know that your contractor is available when you need help or have questions. Local contractors have a vested interest in the community, and since they usually don’t have huge numbers of clients at the same time, they can afford to give you the personal service the job requires.
Local Building Codes Knowledge
A local renovations expert has an in-depth knowledge of local building codes, which can vary from province to province and even from city to city. Local contractors know what permits are required and how to obtain them, ensuring your renovation is done legally and up to code. It’s not that a big box store is devoid of knowledge about local codes; however, the big box store has locations all over the province or even the country, and that’s a lot of information to keep completely updated on. In addition, the local contractor will have a network of reliable vendors and sub-contractors they can call on, whereas the big box store may not be as “plugged-in” to the local industry.
Local Design Trends Knowledge
A local renovations expert is also more familiar with local architecture and design. They understand the unique aspects of the area and can provide valuable insights and recommendations that a big box store may not be able to offer. They know which styles and designs work best in the local environment and can tailor your renovation to fit the trends and fashions in your area or your neighbourhood. Conversely, if you want something completely different than everybody else on the block, a local contractor will be able to recommend local designers and materials to fit your needs.
Accountability and Reputation
When you hire a big box store for your home renovation, you're just one of many customers. If something goes wrong, you may have a difficult time holding them accountable. However, when you hire a local renovations expert, they are accountable to their community and have a reputation to uphold. They have a vested interest in providing quality work and excellent customer care to maintain their reputation and to keep on deserving those 5-star reviews.
Support Local Business
If you’re a “shop local” kind of person, it’s obvious that hiring a local contractor is the way to go. Hiring a local renovations expert helps to support the local economy. The money you spend on your renovation stays within the community, creating jobs and supporting other businesses such as sub-contractors, appliances vendors, and building materials suppliers.
“In-House” May Not Be
Often big box stores really do not have the bandwidth to service a large geographic area, and keep installation staff on hand as well. The fact is that the “in-house” installer is likely to be a local contractor, which sounds great, until you start adding it all up. Local contractors hire sub-contractors and other vendors; the whole system has to be vetted by the big box store; everyone has to get paid along the way, with the box store adding fees on top of that. It can actually end up costing more than if you hired a local renovations team yourself!
Solid Warranty?
Big box stores have a reputation for providing iron-clad warranties to their customers, which is a great thing if you’re talking about purchasing a washer-dryer set or a refrigerator. The problem comes in when you’re dealing with services like renovations and installations. If the big box store has opted to hire local talent, it is the local vendor that will likely be the one supplying the warranty, insurances, and securing any necessary permits.
Hiring a local contractor is not necessarily any more expensive than working with a big box store. And you get the added benefit of personalized service, in-depth knowledge of local requirements, permits and codes. Plus, you’re helping to stimulate the local economy.
