For those of us homeowners who don’t have the Bob Vila gene, hiring a professional contractor for the more major home renovations is a good idea. The trick is to find the right one!
Hiring the Right Contractor
It is important for you to find a company that can work within your budget and you also want to find one that is competent and trustworthy. It can be helpful to ask friends and family for their recommendations, and you should also check the customer reviews of any contractor that you’re considering hiring.
Here are a few more tips that can help you choose a good professional contractor:
- Before hiring a company to perform an upgrade on your home, ask them to tell you exactly how much it will cost, in writing. By relying on their quote for the total cost, you can make a more informed choice about which company to go with. In addition to providing you with a formal bid, the company should answer any question you have about any step of the process.
- To be sure that you are dealing with a reputable contractor, make sure that the individual or company is licensed to provide work in your area. Ask to see the license; reputable companies will make their documentation readily available in person or online. In most areas, it is a licensing requirement that the contractor carry liability insurance. Ask for proof of their coverage, too.
- Some contracting companies hire subcontractors to help them complete a job while others employ in-house staff with the experience needed to do a thorough job. Knowing how a company operates will help you make a better decision. Be sure to check on the track record and reliability of all subcontractors – from plumbers to electricians to general laborers. As a homeowner, it is important to be comfortable with who will have access to your home.
Other things to consider include:
Communication: One way to be sure of a job that you will enjoy is to look for a contractor who will communicate with you every step of the way. If, for instance, you have trouble getting information from a contractor during the bidding process, it’s a pretty safe bet that you’re going to have an equal or greater amount of trouble once the job starts.
Insurance and Permits: A reputable contracting company needs to have the proper insurance and obtain the necessary permits to perform services. To begin work on a major home improvement project – especially one that will change the structure of your home –a company must be insured and have the appropriate permits to ensure that work complies with local building codes.
Clear and Flexible with the Payment Terms: When designing an upgrade to your home, you want to make sure that the project will fit into your budget. The overall cost of the project should be something that you are comfortable with and the company or contractor should present you with a definitive payment schedule. Many of the best companies will be able to work with you to create a plan that will work for both you and the contractor.
Schedule of Work: A good contractor will be happy to provide you with a schedule of work so that you know exactly when the work will begin and how long it will take to complete.
If you are searching for a contractor to entrust your home renovations to, look no further than Sunshine Sunrooms. With over 25 years of experience, the Sunshine Sunrooms team works tirelessly to ensure customer satisfaction. From sunrooms to kitchen and bathroom renovations and more, Sunshine Sunrooms is there for all your renovation needs.
Call us at (972) 243-5390 or submit our online quote request form.
