Undertaking a home renovation project is both exciting and stressful. Determining which contractor is the right fit for you and your renovation can add to the stress, especially if you find down the road that your contractor is untrustworthy or unreliable. While there are countless horror stories about contractors who have left mid-project, embezzled money, or did not complete a renovation properly, there are good, reputable contractors that will complete a job correctly.
Use these tips to help you seek out the right contractor for your renovation:
1. Recommendations
Since contractors are a dime a dozen, narrowing down the search can be difficult. One of the best ways to narrow down the list is to get recommendations from family and friends. Use your Vonage home phone service to contact those who have come highly recommended. Also, contact the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, as they should have a list of contractors in your area. Lastly, speak with a city building inspector, or someone who deals regularly with contractors and knows which contractors routinely meet code requirements.
2. References
When speaking with a contractor, ask them to send you references. Whether it is from former clients, current clients, a business partner, or a city official, references allow you to get an idea of the contractor’s character and disposition through the eyes of other people. Additionally, check out websites like Angie’s List where you can find reviews on contractors. Usually the reviews offer you a wide sample pool of opinions.
3. Meet Face to Face
Once you have received references and have found three or four contractors you are interested in, meet with them face to face. At this point they can offer an estimate on the space you are renovating, and they can answer any additional questions you may have. During this meeting, do your best to determine if you communicate well together and seem to be on the same page in terms of design, time, and money. But, do not let personality fool you. Check in with your local Better Business Bureau to see if the contractor has had a history of disputes with former clients or subcontractors.
4. Visit a Current Job Site
Ask your list of potential contractors if you can see one of their current job sites. Not only does this give you a chance to see their work, it also allows you to see how they interact with their subcontractors. Apart from the structure of the site, check to see if the site looks safe and clean, if the workers are courteous and respectful, and if the workers respect the contractor. All of these little details can help you determine whether or not this contractor will be a good match for your project.
Although finding a contractor might seem like a lengthy process, it will be beneficial to the overall result of your renovation. Having a contractor you get along with and trust to complete your property correctly will keep the renovation running smoothly and on track.