How to Evaluate Online Reviews When Choosing a Remodeler
Chris Mabee, President, HBA of Greater Chattanooga
 

Don’t be embarrassed by your outdated kitchen or that ugly bathroom. May is National Remodeling Month, and builder-remodelers all around the Chattanooga area are ready to help you turn those eyesores into show pieces!

Keep in mind, even a seemingly simple modification to your home could become a dangerous task for even the most confident do-it-yourselfer. By first consulting with a professional remodeler, you will get the job done right the first time, saving yourself a lot of time, money and headache. Yet with so many remodelers to choose from, how do you find the right one for you and your home?

The easiest way to begin your remodeler reconnaissance is by going online.

Proceed with Caution
The Internet makes it easy to find a wealth of information with just a few quick clicks of the mouse. Much of what you find will provide some useful background, but you can’t believe everything you see or read. When looking through customer rating sites, use good judgment to weigh the value of certain online reviews (positive or negative).

Keep in mind:
• Customers who had any sort of negative experience are much more motivated to post an online review than those who had a thoroughly positive experience.
• A few negative reviews of a less-experienced remodeler carry far more weight than the same number of negative reviews of an established remodeler with several years (or decades) of experience.
• An abundance of positive, brief, non-descript reviews can often indicate phony reviewers.

Remember, the most accurate customer review will always come directly from the mouth of a previous client. If you don’t happen to know any former clients of the remodelers you are considering, simply ask those remodelers for references of recent projects.

To learn more about finding a reliable contractor with an established business in our community, contact the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at 423-624-9992 or info@hbagc.net.