Adding-on, renovating, remodeling or updating your home can make your space more enjoyable, safer and more useful. Whether your family has outgrown your home, decided it’s time to invest or embarked on a fixer-upper project, if you’re anything like most families, you’re gonna need to bring in some outside expertise to help you create the home renovation of your dreams. To help aid in your home project, here are some tips for how to find a trustworthy home contractor. Happy building!
How to Find a Trustworthy Home Contractor
Do Your Research
To get started on finding a contractor, ask around for referrals from friends and family and do some Googling to see who’s available in your area. For each contractor, make sure to read reviews, check out what licenses and certifications they carry and arrange phone calls with your favorites to discuss the needs of your project.
Depending on the type of project you’re hiring for, you’ll want to assess the licenses and certifications prospective contractors carry accordingly. Check for reviews about the type of project you’re looking for on sites like the Better Business Bureau and Angie's List. A first-hand review from a trusted friend is great, but if the project was very different, you’ll want to do some research on their expertise in the types of work you want done.
Meet Face to Face
While a phone consultation is helpful, meeting face-to-face will help you determine if a contractor will be a fit. Once you’ve narrowed down your favorite contractors, arrange meetings with just a couple - too many and you may have trouble keeping everything straight!
Clear communication throughout the project is of the utmost importance for keeping work running smoothly, and a face-to-face meeting will give you a better idea of how you and a contractor will work together. This is a great opportunity to ask the contractor about past projects, relevant experience in projects of similar scope and ask them for references.
Don’t let the references go to waste! Make sure to call and discuss how budgets and timelines were followed and how previous clients felt about the finished product.
Sign on the Line
When bringing on a contractor for your home renovation or addition, the contract itself is paramount to the project’s success. Review all contracts for professionalism and completeness, as well as clearly outlined pricing schedules and timelines.
You’ll want to ensure that there are clearly outlined clauses that address dispute resolution, how additional costs or changes to the plan should be handled and any penalties for missed deadlines. Once you are happy with the terms of the contract, sign away and be sure to save a copy in a safe place so that you have it for reference.
For more information on what should be included in your remodeling contract, check out this helpful list from Angie’s List.
Don’t Forget Insurance
In addition to checking on licenses and certifications, don’t forget to check that your contractor carries the appropriate insurance for the job. They should carry liability insurance that helps protect you if someone is injured during construction or if your home is damaged during construction. Ask to see proof of insurance before beginning and ensure that your expectations for insurance coverage are spelled out in your contract.
A home renovation, remodel or addition can be just the step to making your house feel like a your home. In undertaking such a project, choosing the right contractor partner to help make your dreams into a reality is incredibly important. A job well done may not only increase the value of your home, but also ask your insurance agent if your upgrades could lower your insurance premium!