Here is a step by step guide to help you
hire a quality home improvement contractor.
Before talking to any contractors the first thing to do is create a budget for the project. Without a budget
you will be flying blind and may end up over spending. Having a tight budget will also help you make decisions about what
kind of fixtures, and materials to purchase. Most products have a wide price range and having a budget will help keep you
in line when making buying decisions.
After you have your budget dialed in get three written estimates from three different contractors. Be sure
the estimate is complete; getting a “written” estimate on the back of a business card is not a sign of a good
contractor. Getting three estimates will enable you to compare prices from different contractors. Reliableremodeler.com is a great service that will help you get free estimates from quality contractors for free.
Take the time to talk with each contractor and get a feel for which one you will be most comfortable working
with and having in your home. Be sure and pay attention to things like who shows up on time and who is prepared to talk about
your project. If a contractor shows up late to your appointment chances are they will show up late when working on your project.
While you are in the process of selecting a contractor it is a good idea to make sure they have the proper
license, insurance, and bonding. All three of these items are in place to protect homeowners. Working with a contractor who
isn’t licensed or doesn’t have the proper insurance might come back to haunt you. A good contractor will show
you copies of these documents when they present your written estimate.
The next step is to check the references of the contractor you are leaning towards selecting. Be sure to ask
specific questions about their experience with the contractor. “Did the contractor show up on time?” “Did
the contractor clean up after themselves?” If you want to be more aggressive you can ask the contractor for the names
and numbers of their last three jobs and call those instead of their handpicked references. This will provide a more realistic
overview of the contractors daily work habits and skills.
The last step is to select your contractor and have them provide you a timeline for the completion of the
project. Having a timeline will help ensure your project is completed in a timely manner.
