6 Essential Steps to Hire the Best Home Improvement Contractor
When it comes to renovation projects, finding the right home improvement contractor can make all the difference. A great contractor can help turn your ideas into reality, while a bad one can leave you with a mess to clean up.
When my mom and I bought our first investment property, we interviewed countless general contractors to oversee our construction project. We were in the beginning stages of our renovation and design business, so our budget was tight.
It was tempting to choose the general contractor who gave us the lowest quote, but we quickly realized there were way more factors we needed to consider.
We knew we weren’t alone in this struggle, so we created a step-by-step process for homeowners to reference when searching for a home improvement contractor.
Here are 6 foolproof steps find a home improvement contractor you can rely on.
Research, Research, Research
The first step in finding a home improvement contractor is – you guessed it – researching. Start by asking friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors for recommendations. Word-of-mouth referrals can be a great way to find a contractor that has a proven track record of success.
Another option is to use online resources, such as Angi, HomeAdvisor, or Yelp, to find contractors in your area. These websites allow you to read reviews from other customers, giving you a good idea of the quality of work a contractor provides and whether or not they’re a good fit for your project.
Check their Credentials
Before hiring a contractor, it’s important to verify their credentials to protect yourself and your property from any future liability.
Licenses
First, check that the contractor is licensed in your state. You can usually find this information on the contractor’s website or by contacting your state’s licensing board. You should always confirm that the license is in good standing and that the contractor’s name and contact information matches the license.
The second step is to check if the contractor has liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance.
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance protects you in case the contractor damages your property or causes harm to someone during the project. It covers the cost of repairs or medical expenses that may result from the contractor’s work.
Worker’s Compensation Insurance
Worker’s compensation insurance is required by law in most states and covers any injuries to workers on your property. If the contractor doesn’t have worker’s compensation insurance and a worker gets injured, you may be liable for their medical expenses and lost wages.
When reviewing the contractor’s insurance certificate or policy, confirm that the coverage is up-to-date and that the contractor’s name and contact information matches the information on the certificate. You can contact the insurance company directly to verify the contractor’s coverage and ensure they have the appropriate insurance in place.
Ask for References from Past Clients
A reputable contractor will be happy to provide you with references from past customers. These references can give you a good idea of the quality of work, communication skills, and professionalism of the contractor. Make sure to follow up with the references and ask them specific questions about their experience working with the contractor.
Sample questions every homeowner should ask
Here are 10 examples of due diligence questions you should ask before hiring a contractor:
- Were you satisfied with the quality of work provided by the contractor?
- Did the contractor complete the work within the agreed-upon timeline?
- Did the contractor communicate effectively throughout the project?
- Were there any unexpected costs or issues that arose during the project?
- Did the contractor adhere to the project budget?
- Would you hire this contractor again in the future?
- Did the contractor show up on time and act professionally?
- Was the job site kept clean and safe during the project?
- Did the contractor address any concerns or issues you had during the project?
- Did the contractor provide any warranties or guarantees for their work?
Request Multiple Estimates
Before starting your project, make sure to get a detailed estimate from the contractor. This estimate should outline all of the work that will be done, the materials that will be used, and the total cost of the project.
Be wary of any contractor who asks for a large upfront payment, offers an unusually low or high bid, or doesn’t have a physical address or phone number. These can be signs of a scam or unreliable contractor. We always recommend getting multiple bids from different contractors to compare prices and services. This can help you avoid overpaying and ensure you get a fair deal.
Before hiring the contractor, make sure you get a written contract that outlines the scope of the project, the timeline, the payment schedule, and any warranties or guarantees. Putting everything in writing will help avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications down the line. Make sure that you review the contract carefully and confirm that you understand every detail before signing.
Test the Communication
Establish clear lines of communication with the contractor from the beginning of the project. Ask the contractor how they prefer to stay in touch and set expectations that both parties are comfortable with.
Remember, communication is a two-way street. As important as it is to work with a contractor who is professional, responsive, and transparent, both parties need to meet these expectations in order to build trust. Make sure you are actively listening to the contractor and keeping an open mind to their ideas and suggestions – you can always decline or ask for more information.
We highly recommend scheduling regular check-ins with the contractor to discuss the project’s progress, changes to the timeline or budget, and any issues that arise. This will keep you informed and help minimize project delays.
RELATED POST: 7 Reasons Every Homeowner Needs a Construction Contingency
Ask for a Warranty or Guarantee
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for a warranty or guarantee on the work that is done.
Contractor guarantees and warranties are assurances a contractor provides to a client that the work they perform will be of a certain quality. If the work doesn’t meet that quality, the contractor will remedy the situation. Guarantees and warranties are two separate things, although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Guarantees
A contractor guarantee is a promise made by the contractor that the work will meet a certain level of quality or standard. This may include guarantees that the work will be completed on time, that the materials used will be of a certain quality, or that the work will meet certain safety standards. A contractor guarantee is typically only valid for a specific period, such as a year after the project is completed.
Warranties
A contractor warranty, on the other hand, is a promise made by the contractor that they will fix any problems or defects that arise as a result of their work. This may include issues such as leaks, cracks, or other problems that are the result of poor workmanship or faulty materials. A contractor warranty is typically valid for a longer period than a guarantee, such as 5-10 years.
Guarantees and warranties can vary widely between contractors, so it’s important to review any guarantees or warranties provided by a contractor before hiring them. It’s also a good idea to ask for references and read reviews from past clients to get a sense of the contractor’s track record honoring their guarantees and warranties.
Whether you’re upgrading your kitchen or remodeling your bathroom, a trusted contractor can bring your vision to life. With these 6 expert tips in hand, you’re ready to start collecting names and reviewing quotes with confidence.
Make sure you give yourself enough time to work slowly through this process. As you build relationships with contractors, these steps will become easier. But in the beginning, take your time and trust your gut. It’ll be well worth it in the long run.
This post is all about the essential tips all homeowners should know before they hire a home improvement contractor.
