Whether you’re planning a new home renovation or you’re building an addition to your existing home, finding the right contractor can totally change the outcome of your project. If you manage to choose the right contractor, they won’t just deliver quality work, but they’ll also deliver work within your time schedule and within your budget.
Unfortunately, if you choose the wrong one, you can find yourself with expensive delays, unfavorable results, and a whole lot of stress. To help you find the right contractor for your next projects, here are three essential tips that you should know.
Do Your Research
A little bit of research goes a long way when it comes to hiring a contractor. Take time to do thorough research by looking for different contractors and their reviews. Read their certifications, and make sure they have a good reputation. Sites like Google and even Yelp can help you weed out the good ones from the ones with bad reputations. While you’re at it, you should check the contractors’ rating within the Better Business Bureau.
Verify Licenses
Although you may not want to believe that people are trying to take advantage of you, sometimes it can and does happen. This is why you want to make sure that you verify any licenses to protect yourself and your property.
A licensed contractor should have met the state and local requirements for competency and credibility. Therefore, asking to see a copy of their license is not unheard of. Otherwise, you can verify it through your state licensing board.
Verifying that they have insurance is also an important step because it will cover any potential damages and injuries that could happen during the construction project. They should have not only liability insurance but also worker compensation insurance for their employees.
If your contractor lacks insurance or licenses, then this is a huge red flag that means you should run for the hills.
Get Different Quotes
Make sure that you don’t settle on the first price you come across. Get a variety of different quotes from different contractors, and compare them. Try to get at least three different quotes to get a sense of what a fair price is for the kind of work you’re looking to do.
Don’t automatically go with the lowest bid, either. Sometimes a low estimate can be a red flag for someone who doesn’t do great work or may have hidden costs you’re not aware of.
Instead of price, focus on value and reputation. Consider each contract actor’s unique experience, and look at the body of their work as a whole. More often than not, a mid-range quote from a highly reputable contractor is the way to go for your project.
