Contractors are an integral part of the home services infrastructure because they can technically do almost anything you need to be done in your home. Therefore, they will be the people you want to contact for the problems that may occur inside your home. Experts believe that you should only have one trusted contact when it comes to this home service. But the question lies, how can you find the right contractor for you?
There are about three million construction firms in the US, each having its own unique standard and pricing. Thus, if you’re looking into your state or city alone, you might have to phone at least a thousand firms. So, where do you start if you want to look for the right contractor for your home?
Referrals
The best place to start is from referrals. Referrals are a robust way to get in-depth reviews from people that have hired various contractors. This usually comes in word-of-mouth, but feel free to check online reviews if the firm has a website.
But what should you look for when it comes to referrals? When you check for referrals, make sure to ask about their client’s experience, especially when handling both the house and lot. You should keep their experience in mind since there is no such thing as isolated incidents in this industry. Some contractors can do certain incidents to get more money from the project, which should be a big deal for someone like you.
The best people to ask for referrals are your neighbors. If there is one firm that they’ve been hiring around your neighborhood, then it’s in your best interest to give them a call and see if they are any good for you.
Contractor Licenses
One way to know if the contractor is legitimate is through their licenses. There are a ton of these licenses, especially if you have unique ones in your state. However, the ones you should take note of are the general contractor licenses. Every state requires firms to have this before they can operate as contractors.
Make sure to ask your contractor for the necessary licenses when you’ve come to interview them. It’s one way to prove that they are a legitimate firm and know a lot about the field. Licensed contractors are also liable to have insurance which is the next important thing you need to check for your contractor.
Check Insurance
Sometimes accidents happen, and it’s pretty common for a contractor to mess up a particular project. This is why you should check if your contractor is insured. An insured contractor can shoulder the cost of any accidents that may happen, even damages to your home during your project. On the other hand, if your contractor isn’t insured, you’re liable to pay for the damages they might have caused or sue them for it.
You can’t really avoid accidents that may happen during a home project. The best way to protect you and your contractor from it is by getting insured.
The Right Quotation
When looking for the right contractor, it’s essential that you first ask different contractors about their quotations for your home project. Common home projects such as painting usually have a fixed price in the field, while extension jobs such as garage building require personal quotations. Ask around and see which ones fit your budget. Also, know that cheap might not mean quality work, so keep that in mind.
Test Communication
Communication is an essential process during a home project, and a contractor who can’t communicate back can be a serious problem. Make sure your contractor has more than one way you can contact them. Furthermore, make sure that they respond during office hours. Try this out during the first parts of the interview. A contractor who doesn’t pick up in the first five minutes will most likely have communication problems in the future.
Red Flags
Here are a couple of red flags you should keep in mind when looking for a contractor:
- They do not have a general contractor license.
- They have a history of license violations.
- They do not have insurance.
- There are only a few to no reviews on their website.
- They use high-pressure tactics, such as forcing you to pay upfront for a project.
- They are late for meetings.
- They have no portfolio of previous projects.
If a contractor has one or multiple of these things, you should certainly look for another one
Your contractor is going to be someone who will help your dreams come true. It can be tough to look for the right one, but you should narrow it down to a handful of firms with this list. Then, contact these firms and see which is the right fit for your budget and project.
