Your Guide to Hiring the Best Contractor
Below is a guide to help you find a trusted contractor that will ease any home remodel stress you may have.
02/09/2020
Remodeling your home is an exciting yet stressful process. Hiring a remodeling contractor can make life so much easier when working on any project, but especially for those big and time-consuming projects.
However, you have to make sure you do your homework before you hire. Here is a guide to help you find a trusted contractor that will ease any home remodel stress.
Do I Need a Contractor?
For any home renovation, we recommend finding a contractor. From smaller projects that may only take a week to very large-scale remodels that may take months, having a professional oversee each step of the home renovation project keeps things smooth and stress-free for you.
How Do I Find the Right Contractor?
Make sure to research the kind of contractor you need. If you are redoing your deck, find a service that specializes in decks. If you are remodeling your bathroom, make sure to hire someone that has expertise in renovating bathrooms.
Here are a few ways how to get connected with a great contractor in your area:
1. Internet Search
An effective internet search of contractors in your area is a quick and effective way to get started. YELP and Trustpilot will help you gauge your potential options before making any calls.
2. Ask Your Friends and Family
It is a safe bet that a close friend or family member has hired a contractor or knows someone who has. Your friends and family can be excellent resources at finding the best contractor for you. They can give you their honest feedback, advice, and recommendations.
3. Ask Your Community
If your friends and family don’t do the trick, reaching out to the community is an excellent option. Local businesses and community centers are a great place to start asking for contractor recommendations. Even real estate offices or your very own dentist may have a contractor they use and love.
4. Call Around
Make sure to call a variety of potential contractors before you decide on one. It is essential to see what is out there and get a general impression of who you will be hiring. Usually, you can get a free estimate from your top potentials and decide from there.
What Should I Ask Potential Contractors?
There are a few key questions you should ask potential contractors. Here is a list of the absolute must-asks:
1. How long have you been a contractor/worked for this business?
2. How many projects have you completed/ How many projects are you currently working on?
3. Are you licensed to work in my area? May I see your license?
4. Will my remodel require any permits? Could you go into detail about them?
5. What kind of insurance do you use?
6. Could I receive a quote?
7. How and when do you like to be paid?
How Do I Avoid Scams?
Scammers are unfortunately out there, and home contractors are no exception. Here is a list of ways to spot a scam:
1. Make sure to check if they are licensed — Most areas require contractors to have a license, with a few exceptions.
2. An internet search of your area and “contractor scams” may be beneficial. Even searching a particular name with “scam” can do the trick.
3. Cash payments are fishy. It is not standard business practice to pay in cash. If a contractor requires this, it is a red flag, and you should do more research before hiring them.
Bottom Line
It is so important to do your research when hiring a contractor. Home renovations are exciting and worthwhile, and help from an acclaimed professional will make the experience a lot less stressful.