Tips for Hiring the Right Contractor
Follow this five-step guide to hire a contractor for your home improvement projects:
Step 1: Get Recommendations
- Ask friends, neighbors, and coworkers who have recently completed a home efficiency project for recommendations.
- Check online resources that post ratings and reviews of contractors.
- Compile a list of at least three potential contractors.
- Ask Debra Shecter, your real estate agent!
Step 2: Research Credentials
- Verify qualifications, such as licensing and insurance. Some municipalities require contractors to be licensed and may provide a list of licensed contractors on their websites.
Step 3: Interview Candidates
- Conduct interviews (phone or in-person) with at least three contractors.
- Ask detailed questions:
- How long have you been in business?
- What services do you specialize in?
- Are you a BPI Gold Star contractor? What professional certifications do your employees have?
- How many projects similar to mine have you completed in the last year?
- Can you provide a list of references?
- How many other projects will you be handling simultaneously with mine?
- What types of insurance do you carry? Contractors should have personal liability, workers’ compensation, and property damage coverage.
- Can you provide a certificate of insurance?
- Will you use any subcontractors on this project?
- What is your customer complaint resolution policy?
Step 4: Ask for Estimates
- Get written, itemized estimates from the final candidates. These estimates should be detailed enough to compare bids easily.
- Don’t automatically choose the lowest bidder. Consider experience and quality of work, which might justify a higher bid.
- Ask for explanations for significant price differences.
Step 5: Check References
- Checking references for your final candidates will give you confidence in your decision.
- Ask references:
- Were you satisfied with the contractor’s work?
- Was the work completed on time and within budget?
- Would you hire them again?
- What work did they do for you?
- What could they have done better?
- Did you find communication with them was easy?
Following these steps, you can hire a contractor that meets your needs and ensures your home improvement projects are completed to the highest standards.
Please get in touch with me if you want a free home estimate.