A shoddy home renovation has the potential to spiral into a costly problem that eats away at your time and even your sanity. You can avoid plenty of frustration and drama by allying with a high-quality home renovation contractor. Yet pinpointing the perfect contractor is a bit of a challenge. Keep reading to find out the best ways to figure out which home renovation contractor is ideal for your particular project.
Begin With Referrals
Though you will be tempted to consult with online review directories, word of mouth referrals are much more trustworthy. You never know who is sitting behind a computer screen, typing up phony reviews for service providers. The feedback provided by your friends and family who have done business with a wide range of home renovation contractors will prove critical in your search. Ask anyone and everyone in your social circle about their experiences with local contractors before making a commitment.
Check out the Credentials
Once you have obtained recommendations and whittled down the field to a handful of elite contractors, take the extra step in due diligence by examining their credentials. Though it might sound unlikely, some contractors really do falsify their credentials. Check out the contractor’s website. Verify that they have a local address. Call them up and listen closely to how their representative answers the phone. If he fails to state the contractor’s name during his greeting, there is a chance that the organization is a scam. Furthermore, verify that the contractor holds all of the required licenses from local and state municipalities. The contractor should also have the appropriate designations from relevant professional associations such as the National Association of Homebuilders, the National Kitchen & Bath Association etc.
Conduct an Interview
Meet with each prospective contractor in an attempt to gauge their professionalism, attention to detail and experience. Ask questions about past projects, specialties and anything else that is on your mind. If the contractor provides brief answers and seems in a hurry to end the meeting, he does not deserve your business. Also, don’t forget to tell the contractor that you would like to inspect his work as the project progresses. If he responds in a defensive manner or refuses to let you be on-site, don’t hire him.
Only Consider Contractors who are Willing to Provide a Quote in Writing
Do not hesitate to ask for a detailed proposal for your particular home renovation project from each and every contractor under consideration. Do not accept a verbal quote for a project of this magnitude. A quote provided in writing will prove critical to your financial well-being. Too many contractors have reneged on verbal commitments in the past, only to add on extra fees as the project progresses. A written agreement will protect against such a situation from developing. Once the scope of work is provided, make an inquiry as to whether the contractor will accept a payment schedule if you do not have the financial means to pay the entire bill at once.