Remodeling your home is a significant decision. So before you say yes to any contractor, you need to ask good questions—”how will this affect my daily life” questions. The answers will either give you confidence or push you to take your business elsewhere.
Here are 10 questions to ask before signing the dotted line.
1. Can I live in my home during my remodel?
This one’s huge. Some remodelers will say, “Sure, no problem.” But that doesn’t always mean it’ll feel livable. You want to know what that looks like in real terms. Will the kitchen be sealed off? Will there be power outages? Is the work area cleaned each day?
At Poulin Design Center, we build schedules and systems that make it easy for you to stay home while we work. We install zipper door dust protection and floor runners, and the daily cleanup of job site is our policy.
2. When can we start?
Some companies keep this vague. You’ll hear “within a few weeks” or “once materials come in.” That’s not good enough. Ask for real dates—design kickoff, product ordering, demo start, and estimated wrap-up.
We put together our timelines as soon as possible and always keep you in the loop. We provide a step-by-step timeline and communicate in real time via the GroupMe app. We also set tentative start dates based on material arrival.
3. What products are available?
Here’s where things can get limited. Some remodelers stick to one or two suppliers, which means you get what they have, not necessarily what you want. Ask whether you’ll be choosing from a catalog, a website, or walking through a real showroom.
At our Design Center, you choose all your products in one place—we have thousands of choices!
4. How much will this cost?
A remodel is an investment, and it shouldn’t come with surprises. Ask for a full breakdown: labor, materials, taxes, and any allowances. Also, ask what happens if prices change between now and completion. You should get a well-specified agreement on any price increases.
We set the budget with you before we start design and product selection. If something changes, we give you a change order for approval before moving forward.
5. What areas of my house need improvement?
You might know what’s bothering you, but a remodeler should bring ideas you haven’t thought of yet. Maybe the layout could be better. Maybe the lighting is working against you. Ask what stands out to them and why.
Poulin provides you with a team of designers, contractors, project coordinators, estimators, and installers to show your project in a 3D render before we build.
6. Do you offer financing?
This one can be awkward to bring up, but it’s important to talk about. Not everyone pays out of pocket, and that’s perfectly normal. Ask about available plans and the approval steps.
We offer Nusenda Credit Union and Region Bank fixed rate plans for 12 months with a $0 down payment.
7. Who will be at my house?
You want to know who’s coming and going, not just for safety, but for peace of mind. After all, your home is your safe space. It’s where you and your family hang out and relax. So ask if the team is in-house or subcontracted and who’ll be your main point of contact.
Our installers communicate with you daily on GroupMe, where they give you progress reports and post pictures.
8. How long will it take?
Everyone wants things done as soon as possible. It’s only natural, right? Unfortunately, there are many moving parts when putting together a high-quality remodel. That’s why upfront timeframes are so important.
Ask how long each phase will last and what happens if something gets delayed, like back-ordered materials or permit issues. We provide you with a weekly schedule with updates.
9. What is the reputation of the contractor?
Do your research. Read reviews online. Ask for project photos and how long they’ve been in business. Question what kind of projects they’ve done lately and whether those are similar to what you have in mind.
We’ve been remodeling homes in New Mexico for over 40 years. Our positive reviews tell that story better than we can.
10. What is the expected return on investment?
Some updates add more value than others. Ask which upgrades make the biggest difference when it’s time to sell or just to live more comfortably now.
We focus on changes that improve how your home looks and functions. Ask us for our Cost vs. Value sheet.
Ready to talk through your own remodel?
Schedule your design consultation anytime. Our team is more than happy to answer these questions and more.
