5 tips to Find a Bathroom Remodeling Contractor
Prestigio Plus Slot in Flange grab bars in white and slate bathroom.
Are you looking for a bathroom remodeling contractor to help you create a beautiful, safe bathroom?
That can feel like an impossible task sometimes, especially if you don’t know anyone who picks up a hammer for a living! Where do you find one? Who can you trust?
It’s important to connect with a contractor who:
knows how to install bathroom safety equipment
does quality work
understands the importance of customizing grab bar placement
Today, we're going to learn tips to find the right contractor for you! Watch the video below or keep reading for tips to find a bathroom remodeling contractor.
Improve Bathroom Safety with Bathroom Remodeling Contractors
First things first, it's important to have a contractor install grab bars next to your toilet and shower so you can take care of yourself safely in your home. We want these suckers to be secure in the wall, so it's necessary to have a professional who has experience installing grab bars and knows what they're doing with customizing your grab bar placement.
However, finding a contractor with experience installing grab bars can be a challenge! We're specifically looking for contractors who are willing and able to help customize your grab bar placement. It’s not enough to install grab bars in your home using ADA guidelines.
Why is that and what are ADA guidelines?
We need to talk about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for a moment.
Americans with Disabilities Act Standards and Bathroom Remodeling Contractors
The Americans with Disabilities Act created guidelines for grab bar installation in public places like libraries and hospitals. It's important for people of all ages and abilities to use grab bars in bathrooms so they can take care of themselves independently on the toilet.
ADA guidelines won't work best for your needs because they were created to help the majority of people in public spaces.
You want to customize your grab bar placement to work the best for your needs in your home. Putting the grab bar in the right spot for you will help you feel steady and secure while you move in the bathroom. Grab bars should be placed in spots that are easy to reach and feel effortless for you to hold onto.
So we're looking for a contractor who can put grab bars in where you need them! Now let’s move on to the tips on how to find a contractor.
#1: Ask Friends and Family for Referrals for Bathroom Remodeling Contractors
Tip number one is to ask friends and family if they know a good contractor who can put grab bars in the bathroom. Your family member or friends may have had a wonderful experience with a contractor who put in their grab bars. You never know until you ask!
If one of your family members, friends, or neighbors has recently had a joint replacement surgery, like a hip or back surgery, consider asking them for a contractor referral. It’s possible they hired a contractor to install grab bars in the bathroom to make it safer during their recovery.
Listen, nothing can beat word of mouth, am I right? So go ahead, ask around, get contractor names and call them up!
#2 Ask an Occupational Therapist for referrals for bathroom remodeling contractors
Occupational Therapist
If you're already receiving occupational therapy services, like in an outpatient clinic or home health, ask your occupational therapist if they know of a contractor that could come and install grab bars.
Honestly, this one is a win-win situation because we as occupational therapists already assess your abilities and your strengths. We know the best place to put your grab bars in your bathroom for your unique needs.
So if you have an occupational therapist who knows a contractor it’s a marriage made in the bathroom! Your occupational therapist can use tape to mark spots on the wall where a grab bar would be installed in the bathroom. Then the contractor would do the grab bar installation.
This a perfect way for your grab bar placement to be customized so you can stay safe while using the toilet or shower!
#3 search ‘caps contractors’ for bathroom remodeling contractors
Okay, it’s time to hop on the computer, pull up your favorite search engine, and type ‘CAPS contractors near me’. CAPS stands for Certified Aging in Place Specialist. These contractors were trained by the National Home Builders Association (NAHB) to customize your grab bar placement in your bathroom.
CAPS contractors occasionally work with occupational therapists on home remodeling projects. They’re collaborative and understand the importance of placing grab bars in the best place for you to reduce the risk of falls.
#4 search your city contractor database for bathroom remodeling contractors
Something you may not have considered is to search your city’s contractor database. Of course, the database probably won't be able to tell you if those contractors have had experience installing grab bars. However, this is a good option if you're wanting to make sure your contractor’s license is up to date!
City employees may be able to tell you if certain contractors are busier than others. Busyness is usually an indication that the contractor does a good job!
When you get to the database, call contractors and ask if they've had experience putting grab bars in bathroom. Remember to ask if they’re willing to work with you to customize your grab bar placement.
#5 find your local rebuilding together for bathroom remodeling contractors
Rebuilding Together is a national nonprofit organization that helps repair and modify homes to make them safer. They usually assist veterans and older adults in the community with low incomes.
Rebuilding Together has remodeled countless bathrooms across the country with the help of contractors and occupational therapists. They've got plenty of experience with putting grab bars in where you need them to go!
Want to see if Rebuilding Together is in your area? Go here to see if one is located near you!
Did these tips help you find a bathroom remodeling contractor?
All right, let's recap! The thing you need to know more than anything is that you need to have your grab bar placement customized for your needs. The second thing is you don't want ADA guidelines in your home because that means the grab bars are put in a place that helps a majority of people but not your unique needs.
It's important to find a contractor who has experience customizing grab bar placement so that the grab bars are in the best place for your needs. To find contractors, you can:
ask your friends and family.
ask an occupational therapist.
search for a cups contractor on your computer.
locate a Rebuilding Together organization close to you.
I hope this article helps you find the right contractor with experience to help you create a beautiful and safe bathroom that you can use for a lifetime!
Please tell us in the comments below if you have more tips to find a bathroom remodeling contractor. Your experience could help somebody else out!
(Pssssttttt . . . did you know we have an awesome online course for people who have a hard time wiping after using the toilet? It’s an awkward topic that you can learn how to solve in the comfort and privacy of your own home! Learn more about the course HERE!)
