Choosing the right contractor to renovate your apartment in Budapest can be especially challenging if you are not familiar with the local specifics and do not speak Hungarian. However, there are some general rules and steps to help you find your renovations company in Budapest:
Referrals. Word of mouth is an efficient tool, so ask your friends, neighbours and colleagues whom they have had good experience with. Be specific about the works you have in mind to find the contractor with professionals in certain areas—plumbing, heating, electric wiring, painting and so on.
Research. Before you call the contractors check their websites to find out such details as what specialists and builders they have in their teams, what projects they have in they portfolio, what services they offer, whether they have all the required licenses. Find out whether the contractor has skills and resources to take on renovation project of your size.
Interview. Meet in person with your candidates to narrow your selection further. The contractor should be able to give clear and detailed answers to your questions. It is very important that you feel at ease and that you understand each other well, because you are going to discuss a lot of important details with this person and he will be spending a lot of time in your apartment while working on your renovation project.
See examples. Ask the contractors to show you the examples of their work. If possible, ask to visit their current renovations site to see for yourself how the contractor works, and also better understand the details that relate to your own home improvement project, such as plumbing, heating, electrics, change of layout, interior design and so on.
Compare quotes. When asking the contractors for the quotes, make sure you give the same details to each of them, and ask them to break down the cost of materials, labour, and other expenses so that you can efficiently compare the bids. When examining the proposals, remember that the best offer is not always the lowest, because the materials may differ in quality. Be suspicious of very cheap deals, because that contractor may be cutting corners.
Details. Before signing a deal, make sure you discuss all details regarding your renovations project, including timeframe, payment schedules, permissions and approvals, purchase of materials, working hours, and so on. Remember, that one of the most important factors in choosing renovations contractor is how well you communicate and understand each other, because you will need to discuss and agree on many things while working on your apartment.