Contractors in any field are easy to find via Google or word of mouth but how do you get a reliable one out of all those around? You research and check your sources before the final hire is the simplest answer.
Review reviews! The great thing about the internet is that we can go to a contractor’s website, social media pages and Google page for reviews or comments about their services. A good suggestion by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is to search the name of a company with the words “scam” or “complaint” in the search to see what pops up. Asking neighbors, family, or friends about any projects they have done and if they are able to recommend who they’ve enjoyed using.
Understand the what your project is as an entirety. Knowing what it is that you want completed, how you want it completed, the idea cost of materials and what you’re hoping vs expecting to pay is helpful in trusting the estimates you get. Getting more than one estimate also gives you a range of how far your pocket book can expand and also helps in seeing which company will provide the best customer service on top of the services you’re expecting. The least expensive option isn’t always the best option but neither is the most expensive. Really get a feel of who you want to work with.
While researching your prospective contractors, look for red flags such as those without a license (if required), bonded or with no insurance, and finally those who don’t have or won’t give a reference. Will the company have a portfolio or allow you to see any of their work? Ask the company about their past experiences in projects like yours and how they felt about the ending result. All of these questions keep the contractor honest and show the pride they take in their own work.
When deciding on your contractor, check to see if they require deposits and never pay the contractor in full before the job is completed. Make sure to read over any estimate paperwork, the contract, ask about the logistics of the project, will there need to be any permits pulled and who is responsible for pulling the permits? Make sure you have great communication with the contractor that is hired. Being able to talk often is important to keep the project on time or to know if there are any mishaps that need to be taken care of.
Doing the research you need to do is important in finding the contractor you can trust with your project no matter how big or small the repairs or renovations are. Being diligent before the project starts will only save you time and money with a great experience at the end of your project.
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