When you need a contractor for your home, it’s important to do all the research you can before making a decision. This is a big project, and it will be with you for years to come.
You want to make sure that not only are the prices competitive, but that the quality of work will be high as well. It’s a gamble, but ultimately, the more you know before you commit to working with a contractor, the better your odds are.
The first thing that probably comes to mind before hiring any contractor is how much it’s going to cost. You want accurate estimates so that you can make sure your budget is covered. There are many variables that can impact a price quote and even knowing what these variables are can help you budget for the final price of your project.
What You’ll Need
For the purpose of this article we will assume that you’re just starting out with a remodeling project.
The first thing you’ll need is a list of contractors that are available to you. Get recommendations from friends and family or look through listings online. It’s best to stay within your local area so you can more easily track down references, but there are some good resources for finding contractors online no matter where you live.
A few examples are www.diyernetwork.com , www.homeadvisor.com , and www.homeadvisor.co.uk . With all of these resources, you’ll need to apply the filters that are specific to the type of contractor you are looking for: plumber, electrician, roofer, etc.
Plumbing Pros vs. Plumbing Geeks
The first thing you’ll want to do is see which contractors have the best reviews. When looking for plumbers, for example, plumbing pros have a better reputation in the industry than plumbing geeks.
You’ll also want to see if any of the contractors are members of your local Chamber of Commerce or Home Builders Association . The more local support you can get, the better. Talk with some of your friends and neighbors who have used contractors before, and ask them about their experiences with specific contractors.
Reference Checks
When you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s time to get in touch with references. Talk to people who have used the contractors you are considering, ask them if they were happy with the project and if they would use that contractor again.
Most of all, be honest about why you’re calling and what your intentions are. A lot of people will simply go by price when looking for a contractor. Don’t do this. A contractor that can provide quality work and is trustworthy should be the priority here.
What to Look for in a Contractor
Choosing a contractor isn’t always easy. There are several things, however, that you can look for in order to give yourself the best chance of choosing a contractor that will deliver quality work.
- Business Experience
You should look for a contractor that has been in business at least five years and has experience in the type of work you need. If you’re having your basement remodeled, you’ll want to talk with someone who has completed this project before and can provide references.
- License and Insurance
You will also want to make sure that the contractor is licensed and insured in your state. You may pay a little more with a contractor who has these things, but you will have recourse if anything goes wrong.
- References
Make sure that your contractor is willing to provide references, and that they are people who will be able to give you peace of mind. Ask for photos of their past work so you can see their previous projects in action.
Make sure that the contractors stay within budget and make sure that everyone is satisfied with the final product.
- Contractor’s Responsibilities
When looking for a contractor, it’s important to look at their responsibilities, especially if the person is working on your home during construction. You’ll want to make sure that they have insurance and all of their licenses are in order.
Make sure they take responsibility for anything that goes wrong and reassure you that they would do everything they could to fix any future problems.
- Pricing
When looking for a contractor, be sure you are clear on their pricing structure and stick to it. Once the work has started, it’s best to pay them only for what they’ve done and not commit to paying in advance.
You may want to break up the payments in stages as well, especially if you don’t know the contractor well.
- Recommendations
Check to see what their past customers are saying about them. Often there will be testimonials and reviews on their website or Facebook page.
