Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for remodeling contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Steve Daniel Construction Inc., the best way to keep clients happy is to listen closely to their needs so it can provide them with exactly what they’re looking for. “My ultimate goal is to bring my clients’ ideas into reality, so I take the time to pick their brains and get a clear picture of what they’re envisioning,” says President Steve Daniel. “They really appreciate my dedication to their long-term satisfaction.”

Steve Daniel Construction has been providing residential and commercial remodeling services for clients throughout the Sacramento area since 1981. The company has the in-house capabilities to remodel everything from kitchens and bathrooms to entire homes, and it also works on specialized projects like commercial tenant improvements and fire and water damage restorations.

Unlike less experienced contractors that take a “hands off” approach to keeping their customers informed throughout the remodeling process, Steve Daniel Construction prioritizes clear communication during every phase of its work. “I don’t just slap materials on the jobsite and walk away—I make sure the client understands what’s happening and spend time answering their questions so they can feel more comfortable,” says Mr. Daniel. “They know that if they don’t like something, they can let me know and I’ll handle it right away.”

Ultimately, Mr. Daniel sees his ethical approach to construction work as Steve Daniel Construction’s most important attribute. “I believe that if someone hires me to do something, it’s my obligation to make sure they’re completely satisfied,” he says. “Ethically, that’s what it’s all about. I utilize my decades of experience to give my clients exactly what they want.”

If you’re planning to live in your home during a remodel, make sure you’re well-prepared.

Having your home remodeled can be a stressful experience, but living at home during the project can take stress to another level. That’s why it’s a good idea to make all necessary arrangements and mentally prepare yourself before work begins. With organization, preparation and the help of a reliable contractor, living at home during a remodeling project can be more manageable than you expected.

Establish ground rules. Before work begins, sit down with your contractor and address issues such as the earliest and latest working hours, entrances, keys, storage, off-limit areas, bathrooms, and cleanup. Make sure the contractor clearly understands your ground rules and relays them to the crew in advance of the job. By thinking ahead and setting limits beforehand, you can avoid the stress of dealing with these issues one at a time.

Keep essential facilities accessible. One of the most important aspects of living at home during a remodel is having access to your kitchen and bathroom. Most contractors can help you set up a temporary kitchen by transferring basic appliances to a designated area. Plan on using disposable plates and cups for meals, and keep bottled water on hand in case the water needs to be turned off for an extended period of time. In many cases, your contractor will be able to situate the work area so you have continued access to fixtures like the sink and refrigerator.

Maintain realistic expectations. Even if your contractor makes you feel safe and comfortable while your home is being remodeled, sometimes the extent of the project makes this unrealistic. A one-room remodel is usually manageable, but in the case of a massive job like an entire house remodel, temporarily moving out might be a more practical option. In addition to the ongoing noise and inconvenience, a house that’s under major construction may not be a safe environment to live in—depending on the project, your contractor may consider it too much of a liability, not to mention a health hazard.

Q: How long will it take to complete my project?
A: It depends on the acquisition of the materials that are going to be installed. For example, if you’re installing new cabinets, you’ll usually have an established delivery date, but sometimes that moves. Once I determine the materials that I’m using on your project, I’ll be able to provide a general time estimate.

Q: Will you provide all the materials for my project?
A: It depends on what you want to use because some materials are subjective. Take tile—you can spend $1 per foot or $40 per foot, so it can be difficult for me to determine what you want and how much you want to spend. If you tell me exactly what you want, I’ll tell you which materials I can provide and which materials you’ll need to purchase yourself.

Q: Do you work with subcontractors?
A: Yes, and every subcontractor I work with is highly professional and reliable.

Q: Will you provide a contract?
A: Yes. Not everybody wants or needs a contract, but those who do get one. I want my clients to be happy with every aspect of my work.