Things to Know Before Hiring a Contractor

Whether you’re planning on building your dream home from the ground up or looking to replace your windows, finding competent and reliable professionals is the first step to a successful home improvement project. Before the foundation gets poured and the hammer starts swinging, here’s what to know when hiring a professional.

Word of mouth

With hundreds of contractors available in your area, the task of who to choose can be overwhelming. Your best bet is to ask friends, family and co-workers for recommendations on contractors they’ve used in the past that have produced quality work.

Hire the right pro for the job

Just as you wouldn’t go to a dentist to fix a broken foot, you don’t want to hire a roofer to fix your plumbing. Hire the professional with the expertise for your specific job. Ask them how many similar projects they’ve completed in the last year. This will help you determine how familiar the contractor is with your type of project.

Credential check

Before signing on the proverbial dotted line, you want to be sure the contractor is licensed and insured (even for a small job). Ask for copies–don’t just rely on their word. Contractors should have personal liability, worker’s compensation, and property damage coverage. A competent contractor will get all the necessary permits before starting work on your project. Be suspicious if the contractor asks you to get the permits. It could mean that the contractor is not licensed or registered. If subcontractors will be used for the job make sure they are all licensed and insured as well.

Follow through on references

Asking your contractor for references is common practice. However, be sure to follow-up on each of the references provided. You should talk to homeowners and visit the sites to see the work yourself. Ask homeowners lots of questions–did the workers show up when they promised? Were they easy to communicate with? Did the contractor keep you informed about the status of the project, and were there any problems along the way? Did they clean up after finishing the job?

Bids

Get several fixed bids and go over them with a fine-tooth comb. Word of caution: be careful not to automatically go with the lowest bid. Going with the lowest bid might seem appealing at first, but an unusually low bid could be a red flag. The contractor could be quoting you a price for materials that are of poor quality or might cut corners. Before deciding on a bid know exactly what’s included in the price, including types of materials to be used.

Get everything in writing — no verbal promises

Before you sign a contract, make sure it contains:

• A detailed list of the work to be done including all materials –color, model, size and brand names.
• An estimated start and completion date.
• The total cost including the payment schedule.
• How change orders will be handled. A change order is a written authorization to the contractor to make a change or addition to the work described in the original contract. It could affect the project’s cost and schedule.
• Warranties covering materials and workmanship.
• What the contractor will and will not do. For example, is site clean-up and trash hauling included in the price? If not, ask for it to be added.