If you own your own home, then odds are very good that, at some point, you are going to need to find a contractor for one reason or another. Maybe you will want to add onto your home, or maybe you will need something repaired? Maybe you will want to expand your garage? Maybe you will finally decide to build yourself a workshop out back, like you have always dreamed of doing one day?
Regardless of what you plan to do, the fact remains that you are going to need to find a reputable contractor (or two, or three) to help you. Some projects will simply require the services of a specific, single type of contractor, such as a plumber or an electrician… while other projects might require you to find several different professionals for the wide range of tasks that will need to be performed.
At any rate, finding contractors is not always an easy or a pleasant business, but these 7 tips should help you to avoid the most common (and frustrating) pitfalls in the search for the help of a qualified professional.
Tip #1- Make Sure That They Operate a Legitimate Business
Some contractors are part of a larger and obviously legitimate business… but then again, there are always those ‘independent’ contractors who you never really know about! Make sure that you check out the legality and the legitimacy of their business before choosing to hire them. One of the simplest ways of doing this is just to ask to see their business license.
Tip #2- Make Sure That They Are Aware of Any Special Permits Needed
It is always wise to research what local permits you will need for your project, and doing this can also help you to find out just how much your contractor knows. Before hiring the alleged professional, make sure that they can tell you what permits are actually required. If they can’t tell you right off hand, then they are probably not as experienced in this line of work as they should be!
Tip #3- Make Sure That They Have the Necessary Experience
Whether you are installing residential fencing in Milwaukee or adding on to your house, it is important that your contractor knows exactly what is required to get the job done. Investigate their knowledge base by asking questions pertaining to the work. It will most likely become rather obvious if they do not know what they are doing.
Tip #4- Check References
Always ask for references when reviewing contractors, and make it a point to follow up on them. If possible, make an effort to visually inspect work that this contractor has done for others. Also find out if previous customers received quality customer service while the project was underway.
Tip #5- Investigate the Estimate
When you receive an estimate for a particular project, take a really good look at it. Is it easy to understand? If you have any questions, make sure that you ask the contractor about them… never assume that the answer is obvious, as that can get you into a lot of trouble very quickly! Here is a short checklist of things to look for in your estimate:
- Does this price include materials and labor?
- Will you or the contractor be required to provide materials?
- Does the estimate seem to include all aspects of the work you wanted done?
- Ask the contractor about the likelihood of the price increasing or decreasing as the project unfolds.
- Is the estimate easy to understand, or is it confusing? If it is confusing, get the contractor to go through it with you until you understand it.
- Is this estimate up to date and specific? Does the price reflected represent the price that you will actually pay for the work?
Tip #6- Search the Internet for Reviews Before Hiring a Contractor
There are many online review sites that you can use to find out what other customers thought about a particular contractor. Angieslist.com is definitely one of the best out there, mostly because it is completely consumer driven. Businesses are not allowed to submit reviews about their own work, as all claims are tried and tested by Angieslist.com before they are actually posted on the website. Angieslist.com will also step in to negotiate with a contractor for you if end up having problems… a gesture that can be very helpful if you are dealing with a frustrating contractor who does not seem to have your project’s best interests in mind!
Tip #7- Ask Family and Friends
One of the best ways to find a good, reputable contractor is through friends and family. Ask those around you who they have hired and would trust for a particular type of job. If they were happy with their results, than odds are good that you will have a similar experience!
Finding a reputable contractor can be a tough task, but if you stick to your ideas and research all of the applicants carefully, you will no doubt end up with a professional who cares about both you and your job… and that is exactly what you want!