Home renovations are a lengthy and costly process. It isn’t only that the materials are expensive, but that labor is costly as well. That means you can’t afford to make a mistake when you decide hiring a housing contractor is the best choice for your new home project.
Before you start looking for a housing contractor, it pays to know what to look for during your search. Follow the seven tips below to find housing contractors that can handle the job.
1. Look for Insurance
The last thing you want to happen is for an accident to occur in your home and a contractor not to have insurance. If this happens, you might be on the hook for any damages that result from the accident.
You need any contractor you work with to have both general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. It will protect against any damage that occurs in your home and cover any injuries suffered by people working on-site.
In some cases, it’s illegal for a contractor to work without the right insurance. Make sure to ask for documentation that verifies a company’s insurance coverage.
2. Examine the Warranty
Even with excellent service and great products, there’s always the chance that something will go wrong. The question is, will it happen right after a contractor completes the job or years down the line?
Without a great warranty, you’ll pay for the same work twice when something goes wrong. If you want to avoid that hassle, make sure any contractor you work with offers a warranty on their work.
There are two types of warranties you can look for. The first is with a work warranty, which protects you from bad work. The other warranty to look for kicks in whenever a product a contractor uses fails.
3. Ask for a Written Contract
When it comes to working with contractors, you’ll want to know upfront how much the job will cost and exactly what you’re getting. One of the best ways to get this information is to ask for a written contract before making a decision.
You want to verify that a contractor knows exactly what they’ll be doing during the job. At times, instructions are lost in translation. Workers might not get the full details and not complete the job you hired them to do.
A written contract solves this problem. You lay everything out on paper for everyone to see. If there’s ever a conflict, just check your contract to verify what a worker needs to do.
4. Check the Start Date
If you’re trying to get your home put back together, a contractor who starts the job on time can make the difference. You want to look for contractors who understand their customers’ needs and begin jobs as scheduled.
Many contractors try to work you in their schedule. This means you can wait long periods before someone shows up at your home to start the work. You want to avoid this at all costs.
Find someone who will work with you on your timeline. Ask about a contractor’s schedule to make sure they can work when you need the job done. Doing this means you get your work done promptly.
5. Get Multiple Quotes
The housing contractor cost is one of the most critical factors in your decision-making process. However, many people make the mistake of only getting a quote from the first contractor they talk to. Doing this is a mistake.
Get quotes from at least three different contractors before you make a decision. Each of them will have its own pricing formula, so you see what the average cost is for your specific request. Anyone you talk to should be able to give you quick quotes with residential construction estimating software.
It’s also important not to go for a contractor because they have the lowest cost. You have to ask yourself why someone is priced so low. Try to find a combination of quality and price.
6. Ask for References
Before you commit to working with a contractor, you need to know for sure that they do great work. It isn’t always possible to figure this out simply by talking to someone. You’ll need to speak with their past customers to get the complete picture.
Ask your potential contractors for past references before you commit. These customers can tell you the good and the bad about working with a company.
Even if a company can do the job, it might not be an excellent fit for you personally. These conversations will help you figure this out.
7. Pick a Specialist
There are many types of contractors out there. Some of them offer a wide variety of services, while others specialize in one area. The benefit of using a specialist is they have more experience in that specific area.
For example, a general contractor can do anything from fixing the roof to installing flooring. When you hire a specialist, you get someone who does nothing but the job you hired them for. This means their work will be more focused and efficient.
Ask a contractor what their specialty during your interview with them. They should be able to give you examples of their past work that shows they can handle the job. Use these examples to inform your contractor choice.
Do Your Due Diligence When Hiring a Housing Contractor
You’re going to spend good money to get your house in better shape. The last thing you want is to hire a housing contractor that can’t handle the job you’re hiring them for. Use the tips above to find the right contractor for the job.
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