Hiring Guide • Jacksonville, FL
A bathroom remodel puts a crew in your home for days or weeks and hides most of the important work behind tile. These twelve questions help you compare remodelers on what actually matters, whoever you end up hiring.
Liability insured · Jacksonville, FL
5.0 · 51 Google reviewsThere are no trick questions here. A good remodeling company will answer every one of these plainly, and the answers will tell you more than the bottom-line number on the estimate.
Overview
Bring these questions to every estimate appointment and ask each company the same ones. You are not looking for a perfect script. You are looking for clear, specific answers that match what ends up in writing. Vague answers at the estimate usually turn into disagreements during the job.
Price matters, but two estimates are only comparable when they describe the same work. Most of the questions below are really about scope: what is included, how it will be built and what happens when something unexpected turns up. Our pricing page explains how we approach estimates if you want to see one company's answer in detail.
We wrote this guide so it is useful even if you never call us. If you do, ask Braga Remodeling every question on this page when we come out to look at your bathroom remodeling project.
Scope in writing
The estimate should describe the work
Know who shows up
And who you call with questions
Ask about waterproofing
It is the part you cannot see later
Get the terms first
Payments, changes and warranty
The Questions
Ask for an estimate that describes the work, not just a total. It should break out demolition, preparation, waterproofing, tile, fixtures and finish work so you can see what is and is not included. A one-line lump sum makes it impossible to compare companies fairly.
Some companies use their own crew, some use subcontractors and many use a mix. Any of these can work well. What you want to know is who will be in your home, who supervises them and who is responsible for the quality of each trade.
Ask for a start date, an expected duration and what could change it. Special-order tile, custom glass and hidden damage are the usual causes of delay. A realistic answer includes those caveats instead of promising the shortest possible number.
Find out how much is due up front, when the remaining payments are due and what each one is tied to. Payments linked to progress on the job are easier to follow than dates on a calendar. Get the schedule in writing with the estimate.
Changes happen, whether you pick a different tile or the crew finds rot behind the old tub. Ask how changes are priced and approved. The answer you want is that any change to scope or cost is written down and agreed to before the extra work is done.
Tile and grout are not waterproof on their own, so this is the most important technical question on the list. Ask which waterproofing system goes behind the tile, how corners, niches and the drain are handled and whether the shower pan is flood tested before tile is set.
Demolition and tile cutting are dusty, and an honest company will say so. Ask how the work area is sealed off, how floors along the path to the bathroom are protected and whether the site is cleaned at the end of each day.
Ask what the workmanship warranty covers, how long it lasts and how you would make a claim. Workmanship and materials are covered separately, so ask about both. The terms should be in writing before you sign, not explained afterward.
Ask what insurance the company carries and request proof. Liability insurance protects your home if something is damaged during the job. A company that carries it will have no trouble showing you a certificate.
Permit requirements depend on the scope of the work and on your city or county. Ask whether your project needs one and who is responsible for applying, paying the fees and scheduling inspections. The answer should be written into the estimate.
Read recent reviews on an independent platform and look for projects similar to yours. Ask to see photos of the company's own finished bathrooms. Pay attention to how reviewers describe communication and problem-solving, not just the final look.
Ask who your point of contact is, how often you will get updates and how quickly questions are answered. Decide early how you prefer to be reached. Most frustrations on a remodel come from not knowing what is happening, not from the work itself.
Before You Sign
Use the same list with each company so you are comparing answers, not sales presentations.
Line up what each estimate includes before you look at the totals. A lower number often means less work is described.
Scope, payment schedule, change process and warranty terms should all appear in the documents you sign.
Choose the company that answered directly and put it on paper. That is usually how the job itself will go.
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FAQ
Google Reviews
“I had a great experience with this construction company. They were honest, reliable, and did exactly what they promised. The team was professional, hardworking, and paid attention to every detail.”
“We had an overall wonderful experience with Braga Remodeling. They were responsible, professional and communicated well throughout the process.”
“Excellent service and outstanding workmanship! The crew was punctual, respectful, and very knowledgeable throughout the entire project.”
Request a free in-home estimate and bring this list. We will answer each question and put the scope for your bathroom in writing. Prefer to talk? Call (904) 520-1994 or email braga@bragaremodeling.com.
Call (904) 520-1994