How to Find a Remodeling Contractor You Can Actually Trust

June 9, 2025

Finding a contractor shouldn’t feel like a roll of the dice. But for many homeowners in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and the surrounding areas, it does.


You hear the stories. The contractor who disappeared halfway through the job. The crew that showed up three hours late every day. The estimate that doubled by the end of the project. It’s frustrating—and often expensive.


The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way. Finding a reliable remodeling contractor is absolutely possible. You just need to know what to look for—and what to avoid.


At The Building Company, we’ve built our reputation around clarity, communication, and craftsmanship. Here’s what we recommend homeowners look for when hiring a remodeler.

Why Hiring the Right Contractor Matters

Remodeling isn’t a small job. Whether you’re updating your kitchen, building an ADU, or taking on a full-home renovation, you’re making a significant investment in your home and your future comfort.

Hiring the wrong contractor can mean:

● Project delays

● Budget overruns

● Poor workmanship

● Unfinished work

A great contractor, on the other hand, brings clarity, structure, and peace of mind from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.

Signs You’ve Found a Reliable Contractor

Here’s a quick checklist of what to look for:

📅 They Have a Clear, Proven Process: If someone tells you they "figure it out as they go," walk away. Good remodelers have a documented, step-by-step process from design to build.

📝 They Provide a Detailed Scope and Fixed Pricing: You should never be left guessing about what’s included—or how much it’s going to cost. Reliable contractors will provide a scope of work and a fixed-price or clearly itemized estimate.

📢 They Communicate Early and Often: Do they follow up when they say they will? Are they responsive before the sale? That’s often exactly how they’ll treat you during the project.

🌎 They’re Licensed, Bonded, and Insured: In Washington and Idaho, this is non-negotiable. Always verify licensing and request proof of insurance before you sign anything.

💼 They Have Reviews, References, and a Portfolio: A reliable contractor should have completed projects they can show you—plus clients who are willing to share their experiences.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

If you hear or see any of these, proceed with caution:

  • Vague or verbal estimates
  • Pressure to sign quickly
  • No contract or just a handwritten quote
  • Unwillingness to show proof of insurance or licensing
  • Consistently late or unresponsive communication
  • A bad feeling in your gut (trust it)

Where to Start Your Search

If you don’t already have a referral from someone you trust, here are a few solid places to begin:

  • Google reviews and online directories like Houzz and GuildQuality
  • Local builder associations or remodeler guilds
  • Neighborhood groups or community boards
  • Portfolio pages and blog content on contractor websites

And when you do reach out, ask questions. A reputable contractor will never dodge the details.

How The Building Company Does It Differently

We know that hiring a remodeler is a big decision. That’s why our process is built around transparency and trust:

  • We walk clients through a structured planning phase before any contract is signed
  • We provide fixed-price agreements with no vague allowances
  • We carry full licensing and insurance in both WA and ID
  • We back our work with a lifetime craftsmanship warranty

Our clients come to us because they’re tired of the unknowns. They stay with us because they get results—and peace of mind.

Not Sure If You’re Ready Yet?

That’s okay too. If you're still figuring out whether now is even the right time to remodel, check out our article: Is Now the Right Time to Remodel Your Home?

Or just reach out for a conversation. We’re here to help you get clear on your next step—even if that step isn’t today.

Talk With a Contractor You Can Count On

If you want to work with a remodeler who listens, plans, and delivers—we’d love to talk.

Contact The Building Company to start the conversation:

📱 Call or text: 509-890-0222 or click right here to send us a message.

Let’s build something better, together.

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Understanding the Cost of Home Remodeling: A Guide

September 2, 2023
As a premier home remodeling company, The Building Company provides tailored solutions that meet our clients' unique expectations and budgets. From budget-friendly transformations to ultra-high-end revamps, we offer a range of remodeling services to fit every homeowner's needs. In this article, we will delve into the estimated costs of a home remodeling project based on different levels of finishes and detail some of the factors that cause variances in pricing. The cost of remodeling the main floor of a home can greatly vary due to factors like the level of finish, the types of materials used, labor costs, and unforeseen issues like structural challenges. However, for a standard 1200-1400 square foot main floor (including a kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, and an entryway), here are some general cost estimates for different finish levels: 1. Budget : In a budget renovation, the cost can range from $60 to $85 per square foot, translating to approximately $72,000 - $119,000. This typically includes basic upgrades to finishes, fixtures, and appliances with minimal changes to the layout. 2. Medium: For a medium-grade renovation, you might expect to pay between $100 to $150 per square foot, or $120,000 - $210,000. This often involves more substantial changes to the layout, higher-end finishes, and superior quality appliances. 3. High-End: At this level, prices can range from $200 to $300 per square foot, resulting in total costs between $240,000 - $420,000. Expect significant structural changes, custom design work, top-of-the-line appliances, and premium materials. 4. Ultra High-End: For a luxurious, tailor-made remodel, expect costs upwards of $350 per square foot or more, which can bring your total to well over $420,000. This includes architecturally significant changes, high-quality finishes, and the highest caliber of materials and appliances. Keep in mind, these estimates are general ranges, and the actual cost can vary based on the specific details and scope of your project. The Building Company is dedicated to providing detailed, personalized estimates to ensure there are no surprises along the way, helping you achieve the home of your dreams within your budget. Several factors cause these significant price variations. The choice of materials is often the largest contributor, as high-quality, durable materials come at a premium. Custom-made pieces or unique installations also increase the price, as do any changes to the home's structure or layout. Labor costs can also vary widely, depending on the complexity of the work and the professionals required. If controlling costs is a priority, consider focusing your budget on key areas, such as the kitchen or bathrooms, which yield higher returns on investment. Opt for standard finishes and fixtures, and try to maintain the existing layout to avoid costly structural changes. Room-specific breakdowns are as follows: Kitchen Typically the most expensive to remodel, a kitchen renovation can account for 15-30% of your total budget, depending on the level of finishes and appliances. Bathroom Bathroom remodels usually consume around 10-20% of the total budget. Living Room & Dining Room These areas generally account for 10-15% of the budget each. Bedrooms Expect to allocate around 5-10% of your budget per bedroom. When considering which finish level to choose, consider both your financial capacity and your lifestyle needs. Budget renovations are ideal for those needing a refresh on a limited budget. A medium-grade remodel is suitable for those wanting more customization and quality without extreme luxury, while high-end renovations are designed for homeowners desiring a significant lifestyle upgrade. Lastly, an ultra high-end remodel caters to those wanting a completely bespoke home experience, where every detail is of the highest quality and tailored to the homeowner's unique tastes and preferences. No matter the scale or budget of your remodel, The Building Company is committed to transforming your home into a space that reflects your style while enhancing your everyday life.

Does your contractor use protection?

August 10, 2023
The Basics Sweep and Vacuum The easiest way to avoid damage is to sweep and vacuum often. The majority of the damage particularly to flooring or surfaces comes from dust and debris being ground into or dragged across flooring or countertops. Best practice is at a minimum to sweep and vacuum daily throughout a project. Even more often is better, especially for jobs with large amounts of demo. A couple of great pieces for these tasks are a soft bristle broom , a quality large dustpan , and a powerful extra “sucky” vacuum. Work Outside Or In the Garage If there is trim to be cut, cut it in the garage. Do you need to frame a wall? Cut the studs outside. It seems simple but this will cut down on the dust left on the interior. The less dust and debris in your project from the beginning will help reduce the protections needed for the project. Now if that seems like a lot of trips in and out of the house then see or section on Dust Collection below. Intermediate Plastic Sheeting/Masking Maybe the most prolific form of home protection is the giant sheets of plastic to seal off a section of the house. Here at The Building Company we like to use no lighter than 4 mil thick plastic, 6 mil is better for longer jobs. If you combine this with a Zip Wall door it can be a very effective way to close off the space from dust and debris. If you combine these with the ZipWall ZipPole it becomes a complete quick up, quick down system. Ram Board/Floor Covering There are many types of protective floor coverings. A common type of covering that is used is Contractor’s Paper or Builder’s Paper, a lightweight paper used especially to protect floor from light traffic such as paint in a room where the flooring is not being redone. Generally, here at The Building Company we generally opt for X-Board . X-Board is a quality medium traffic protective floor covering. In some locations such as stairs or high traffic hallways it is better to go to a heavy duty product like Ram Board . Ram Board has some accessories such as stair guards and seam tape. Best practice is to suit the product to fit the traffic. Advanced Dust Collection Dust collection is the advanced form of vacuuming. In fact it’s almost like pre vacuuming. Most saws, sanders and cutting tools have dust collection ports on them these days. Some excellent dust extractors would be Makita’s 11 Gallon Model and Bosch’s 9 Gallon Model . The benefit of utilizing dust extraction is that you hardly generate extra dust from cuts at all. The newer systems do a great job of getting most of the dust and debris leaving very little clean up. They also help cut down airborne dust. This becomes the best of both worlds. It allows a contractor to utilize their time more efficiently because they are not going in and out of the room. It also allows them to utilize less time cleaning up. Air Scrubbers Air scrubbers are HEPA filtration systems that significantly reduce the air particle count. Particularly in high dust situations such as lath and plaster removal or heavy sanding, these are a lung saver. Anyone who has worked in a high dust environment knows how brutally long those days feel when you can hardly breathe. Implementing a few of these scrubbers will quickly knock down the amount of dust and help protect your house from the scratches.