Hiring a contractor to design and build your project can be a challenge. It's important to ask plenty of questions, and always get your answers in writing. Doing so will help you eliminate the companies that may not have the experience or reputation you are looking for. When it comes to interviewing contractors, we believe that asking each contractor precise questions is a viable (and proven) way to learn about their reputation, financial condition, service record, warranty, and much more.
At Hochuli Design & Remodeling Team, we welcome the steps taken by the State of Arizona to protect homeowners from unscrupulous contractors. Asking questions and requesting that the contractor provide their answers in writing helps to weed out dishonest contractors that take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. We also advocate for taking things one step further. For example- instead of asking if a contractor is licensed, ask to see their license. Then, check to see if their license appears on the state website and is current in the state of Arizona.
Scott and Lorrie welcome your questions. We value our reputation and work hard for our clients every day. We also understand that success is not an accident- it is based on adherence to quality standards every day. Our team encourages you to ask as many questions as you'd like. All of the answers to your questions are answered at our first meeting. Below is an extensive list of frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, we encourage you to reach out to our team.
Yes. Our license numbers are AZ ROC 173428 and AZ ROC 251060.
In Arizona, a contractor must be licensed through the Registrar of Contractors (ROC) to legally perform construction, home repair and remodeling jobs that require a building permit or when the total project cost is $1,000 or more.
When someone contracts without a license, they endanger the health, safety and welfare of the public, undercut licensed contractors who operate legitimately and lawfully, and hurt the entire construction industry. Also, when a homeowner hires someone who is not licensed, they have no recourse through the ROC complaint process or the Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund.
The full text of the requirements can be viewed at the following web page: www.azroc.gov
You may have heard from a friend or an acquaintance that got a “great deal” from a contractor that “does it on the side” or only accepts cash. You can check out the Arizona website and read some horror stories of people that got taken. A contractor that operates outside of the licensing requirements is cheating the government and they are just as likely to cheat you. Avoiding them is just a smart idea.
It may surprise you to learn that in a 2011 survey over 35% of the home remodeling, home improvement and design build companies that advertise in directories were out of business within 5 years.
Some owners have simply closed up one business when they ran into quality or credit problems and then they open up under a similar name.
We recommend that you request the following information from any company you seriously consider hiring.
Hochuli Design & Remodeling Team will supply you with all required information at our first meeting.
This is like calling your doctor and describing your symptoms and then asking for a prescription. It isn’t done because of the risk involved and because the chances of getting it right are about as good as winning the lottery.
Of course we understand that you want to get an idea of the cost of what your project will be. There are dozens and dozens of choices like what type of counter top or cabinets or trim. Trying to come up with an “estimate” or “bid” without knowing all the details is certain to result in an estimate that won’t be very close to the real number.
In order to get a complete understanding of your needs and desires, we meet with you in person and ask very specific questions. We will then create a design for your approval.
Hochuli Design & Remodeling Team will prepare a fixed price proposal as soon as your design work is completed and approved by you.
Contractors that will give you a “ball park” or “free” estimate should be avoided, it just isn’t in your best interest or professional.
If you only ask for 3 references then the answer is most likely no.
Yes. Due to the economy in the Phoenix area in the last several years many folks that got laid off or had done handyman work suddenly became full time remodelers or home improvement “experts”. Many commercial companies have also gotten into the residential remodeling market to make ends meet.
No. This is another area where some contractors will cut corners and “take a chance that nothing goes wrong”. This is especially true in the challenging economy in the Phoenix area in the last couple of years.
There are 2 ways you can protect yourself:
In addition, every home improvement contractor is required to maintain statutory Worker’s Compensation insurance for all employees and it is a good idea for them to carry at least $1,000,000 of Liability insurance per incident.
Our insurance agent will provide you with our documentation so you can feel comfortable that we have current insurance in place.
Note: If the contractor utilizes sub-contractors – they also must meet the same insurance requirements to ensure you are protected.
Arizona also requires a Contractor Bond and a Consumer Protection Bond and our agent will provide the documentation on that as well.
It means that we first design your project and then once you approve the design, we build it:
At Hochuli Design & Remodeling Team we spend extra time up front detailing every aspect of your bid and anticipating potential issues based on Scott’s 20+ years of experience and successfully completing over 500 projects.
This is a very important question to ask to ensure you are getting the “A” team and not the team that is learning on your dime.
We use an up-front project schedule, a pre-construction checklist, a formal scheduling system and weekly intensive project updates with you to keep your project on time.
There are so many more things that we do to keep your project moving toward completion and we will be pleased to share them at our first meeting.
We understand how important it is for you to be kept up to date on your project.
Yes. We are motivated to complete your project as that is the only way we get paid. Once we start your project, we stay on it each day until we are finished unless there are circumstances beyond our control like weather or delays in inspections that don’t permit us to work.
In any significant project there will be some “gap” days due to the issues just listed. Our clients know that we are always working on their project – coordinating material deliveries, setting up city inspections, coordinating specialty trades and more. Our ongoing communications keep you informed so you won’t be left wondering.
We design your project and then use an up-front project schedule, a pre-construction checklist, a formal scheduling system and weekly intensive project updates with you to keep your project on time.
Do you have code of conduct for your crews?
Yes.
We provide a 2-year warranty for the labor and installation on all design build and home remodeling projects.
Not all the time but we do ask that you be available each day so we can provide you with answers to any questions you have.
This is an area where we believe our systems far exceed those of our competitors.
Hochuli Design & Remodeling Team provides a project schedule that includes the time line of events on the project.
In most cases we provide portable toilets for employees and subcontractors. If this is a smaller job we ask for access to a bathroom as a courtesy. We will respect your privacy and your property in using the bathroom.
We ask for access to a sink or side yard area with hose that we can use for cleanup but will make other arrangements if that isn’t possible.
We have a written daily cleanup checklist to make sure the site is clean and secure at the end of each workday.
Yes. We will provide the appropriate information to your HOA.
Hochuli Design & Remodeling Team
1835 E. 6th St
Suite #16
Tempe, AZ 85281
602-451-0323