Hiring the Right Contractor

Hiring the Right Contractor

When it comes to hiring the right contractor, it does take a little research on your part. But the time will be well worth it when you find a contractor that offers the best services for the right price. All you need to do is follow a simple checklist that will put you on the right path to finding the right contractor for your needs.

Properly Licensed and Insured

The first step is getting a list of local contractors who are properly licensed by the state. Any contractor who does not have a license is one you need to avoid as it may cost you dearly in the long run. In addition, you should only choose contractors who are insured. If they should cause an accident on your property, their insurance will cover the damages and medical expenses. However, if they are not insured you may be left holding the bill.

Local Zoning Laws & Permits

Hiring the right contractor means that they understand the local zoning laws and know what permits to get to work on your home. A lack of knowledge in this area means that the contractor is either inexperienced or unfit to do the work. In fact, it is a good idea to learn the local zoning ordinances to see if your project needs special permits or permission.

Referrals, References, and Accomplishments

Although many people start with a quote, you should look at the previous work of the contractor. This means getting referrals from previous customers so that you can see the work they have accomplished and learn more about how they accomplished the project. Most contractors have references and referrals so that you can ask questions about how the work was done, how long did it take, and if there were any issues along the way. Keep in mind that all referrals will be positive ones, so you may want to look up independent customer reviews as well.

Quotes

Once you have narrowed your list to two or three contractors, get quotes from the about the project you have in mind. Do not automatically choose the lower quote because there might be something in the other offers that makes it a better deal. After all, you are looking for the best quality at the most affordable price, so be sure to look over each quote carefully to see what is being offered. This will help you make the best-informed decision about which contractor to choose.

Talk about Communicating with Each Other

Hiring the right contractor means communicating with them effectively so that you know what it going on without seeming to micro-manage their working environment. Remember, you have hired the contractor based on their overall quality, so you should trust them to a certain extent when it comes to letting them do their job. An update every few days by phone or email is a good way to stay informed. Plus, you should be updated on the completion of major areas of the project as well.

Long Term Relationship

You should think about the long term when hiring a contractor, particularly when you have several projects you want accomplished over the next few years. The contractor you hire today may be with you for a while, so think about their quality of work and your relationship with them so that you can hire them for the next project.