Hire The Right Contractor
“How to hire the right contractor” is a popular question in online search. We ask this question our friends, family and co-workers. Then, we search for tips online, check the reviews, talk to contractors, but still end up with sour feelings from contractor’s work. Is this familiar situation?
What is a good contractor and where to find?
First of all, let’s answer the question: what is a good contractor? Good contractor is a licensed, certified, insured professional. He respects your time, property, and money. Similarly, he respects his time, skills, and workers.
Second, where can you find a good contractor? You can find online, searching referral websites, like HomeAdvisor, BuildZoom, HomeDepot, or try small businesses. Good news: referral websites usually verify licenses, insurances, certifications, and customer referrals. Bad news: referral websites may charge commissions for listing, adding up expenses to yur project cost. You can ask your friends, family, co-workers for referral. Word of mouth remains trustworthy in this business.
Choosing reliable and professional contract.
Once you make contractors shortlist, then schedule appointments to estimate your project. If your project is rather small and doesn’t require measurements you may send the task list with the photos to the contractors. Remember, if the contractor doesn’t show up without any notice, it’s not your choice. When contractor comes, he should make proper measurements, write down your scope of works to give you the proper quote. It’s your right to request his licenses, ask about insurance provisions.
When you receive the quotes from the contractors, your task is to compare “apples to apples”. It will take some efforts to get similar in content quotes. At least, you may combine the list yourself, and request pricing from contractors. Be careful with start and finish dates, permits, certificates of insurances, licenses, payment provisions. Check, if the materials are included in estimate. If not, it’s normal practice, especially with “finish materials”, like tile, vinyl, hardwood. In this case you are free to chose the materials based on your design taste. However, you need to consult with your contractor when choosing materials if they comply with his procedures.
Hire your right fit.
You should ask your contractor for a contract or at least written detailed quote, or invoice, or sales receipt. The document shall contain the contractor’s data: legal name, address, contact details, business license. Additionally, it shall contain the detailed list of works and costs you agreed to. Most important part: payment terms, start and finish dates, cancellation terms. The contract or quote that plays the role of contract shall be signed by both you and contractor.
Payment terms may include down-payment to contractor for permits, materials up to 50% if the total value is less than $5,000. When your project is more expensive, reasonable payment terms shall be down payment and by stages. When the contractor completes certain stage, he receives the payment.
We hope this short tutorial will add to your knowledge base about remodeling. Home-improvement is a highly professional field regulated by licenses and certifications. You deserve professional attitude for your money.
