5 Things To Discuss Before Starting a Remodeling Project

March 23, 2023
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When the time has come that you wish to begin your home remodeling project, you will start with some planning. At first you may think the most challenging part of the planning would be the money and financial part, but sometimes choosing the right remodeling company could be even harder. To prepare yourself best for that, here are some topics to discuss so that you can see if they are the right fit for you.
 

Readiness

 
Experts recommend that you prepare your contractor with an outline of what you are looking to do for the project in advance of meeting. Add in expectations of regular meetings and check-ins as well. If your early communications are off to a good start then it can be indicative of the project’s future.
 

Time Frame

 
Inevitably there will be some hiccups, changes and delays during any larger project. However, it is still important to ask the team how this will affect the time frame of the project. Be sure to discuss logistics as well, such as when the crew will work during the day, which days of the week, what facilities they will use, etc.
 

Staffing

 
Smaller companies are totally fine to work with, but make sure that means you can still reach your contractor with questions when you have them. Also, check to see if the company uses any subcontractors. If so, make sure they have the necessary qualifications for the job too.
 

Management Software

 
With larger projects and busier schedules meetings and calls can be tough. Some companies have a software system in place that can track progress and keep all involved updated. There can be a small learning curve but ultimately it makes things easier in the end. Ask to see if the company has a version of this.
 

Referrals and Portfolio

 
A good remodeling firm should have a portfolio of work and references available. Make sure they have this ready for you to see and ideally they should be jobs in your area. This way they will be most experienced with types of homes, code, and any potential permit protocol as well.
 
Beth Dickerson

Beth Dickerson

Boston, MA

About The Author

One of Boston’s most reputable real estate brokers, Beth Dickerson has achieved more than $2 billion in sales and thousands of successful real estate transactions over her nearly thirty-year tenure. Beth has received national acclaim from the real estate industry and represents some of the most prestigious residents and properties across Massachusetts. Her enduring record as a top producer comes from the intuitive gift of sensing her clients’ needs. She has built a business that is referral-based at its core—a testament to her relationship-driven approach and penchant for exceeding expectations. It is this nuanced expertise that Beth leverages to guide many of her clients-turned-friends through some of the greatest milestones of their lives.


Beth was the proprietor of her own real estate company before joining the residential division of R. M. Bradley in 1993, where she was a top producer for more than a decade.  In 2003, she founded her own boutique real estate firm, Dickerson Real Estate, before merging with Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty in 2007. Today, Beth attributes her success to her comprehensive marketing and advertising strategies, exclusive contact network, and unparalleled insight into neighborhoods like Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the South End and Waterfront. With an understanding that no two clients are alike, she works with clients in all phases of life—from first-time buyers to luxury developers, seasoned sellers and beyond. Beth offers clients the resources to aggressively market their property locally, nationally and globally, and her attention to detail, drive and enthusiasm are unmatched.


Beth has appeared in prestigious media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Mansion Global, The Boston Globe, and Boston magazine, and was prominently featured as Greater Boston’s real estate expert on WCVB Chronicle in 2020. She has had the honor of serving as President of the Downtown Council of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board. For over ten years, she has been a Co-Chair and Committee Member for the Massachusetts General Pediatric Hospital for Children’s Storybook Ball. She serves as a Board Member of the Community Music Center of Boston and a member for the Perkins School for the Blind, Emerald Necklace Park Conservancy, Justine Liff Luncheon, Youth Villages and the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, among dozens of other organizations throughout the Boston area.

A long-time resident of Boston’s Back Bay, Beth was an active member of the community as she raised her two children: she served as treasurer of the Clarendon Street Playground and was an avid supporter of the Hill House Community Center.