We know how difficult and frustrating it can be to find a qualified or experienced contractor! I’m sure most of you have heard many horror stories from friends and family and most of them have probably been true! But it does not have to be like that. While it’s not easy to find the right, competent, ethical contractor to work on your home or business, you CAN, so read on for some handy tips!
Real world information is very hard to find when you start your search. Newspaper and magazine articles mean well, but none of them can provide you with real testimonials and experiences from past clients who worked with a particular contractor.
We have prepared a quick checklist for you below:
GET REFERRALS!
The best way to start is through friends and family. However, these references must also be qualified and verified. For example, your friend may have used a large contractor for his garage addition, but you may have no idea if the company also has experience with kitchen cabinets and tile replacement. You should find out if the referred company also has experience in the specific job you are interested in doing.
Hardware stores and material manufacturers are also a good resource. But once again, be sure to check references and portfolios.
Engineers, architects, and other contractors in similar industries are also an excellent resource. Again, check all references and experience, regardless of how good the reference sounds.
Spend some time and research each candidate. Check with search engines for anything you can find. And most important of all, trust your instincts.
PREPARE BUDGETS AND SPECIFICATIONS
If you’re serious about finding a good contractor, it’s important to be realistic about your budget and the work you can afford to complete.
Any professional contractor and tradesperson will appreciate the fact that you have prepared your specifications in advance and will be more receptive as a result. He/she will also be able to quickly determine if he/she can afford what he/she wants, help determine how much of what he/she wants is possible with his/her budget, and ensure that everyone he/she is interviewing is looking at the same job. . Many times, contractors seem unreliable or insensitive because clients don’t seem serious about the work they need or have no idea how much things will actually cost. Do your homework early and you’ll get a much better answer.
CHECK REFERENCES!
We CANNOT stress enough how important this step is! Before giving your last word and signing on the dotted line, be sure to follow these steps:
1. Make sure your contractor is INSURED for both worker’s compensation and general liability. Do not take the contractor’s word for it or accept a copy of a contractor’s insurance letter. The only sure way is to get the name of the contractor’s insurance company, look up the number in the phone book, and then call and ask for a certificate of insurance. The carrier will be happy to mail you one.
2. Check the contractor’s professional associations. For example, contractors who are members of NARI (the National Association of the Remodeling Industry) are often the type to take pride in their professional credentials.
3. Find out how long the contractor has been in business. Many small businesses close in less than a year. Make sure your contractor doesn’t run out of capital on his job.
4. Call the company bank and find out if your account has been handled responsibly.
5. Find out how long the contractor has been working with your equipment. A crew of many years is a sign that his contractor treats his workers well and that there should be no revolving door on his project. He wants to avoid the “learning curve” that new hires bring to an ongoing project as much as possible.
6. Find out what will be handled by the contractor’s staff and what will be outsourced. Get the names of the subcontractors and call them. Ask if the contractor pays on time. How trustworthy is he? Also ask for the names of the vendors and consult the contractor with them.
7. Find out how many other projects the contractor will be working on simultaneously if you decide to hire him. Will the contractor be able to dedicate the time he needs to his project?
8. Ask the contractor for references from projects similar to yours and give them a call. Was the site kept clean? Did the contractor pay his bills? Would he work with this contractor again? Ask if you can visit to see the results of the project.
And finally, like everything, follow your gut. For more information on how to find good contractors, come back to the second part of this article where we’ll discuss how to negotiate a good contract before you start the job.
Good luck and happy building and remodeling.