Tips on Hiring a Contractor for Your Home

Check out these great tips on hiring a contractor!

One of the most critical parts of planning a home improvement project is finding a contractor you can trust. Unfortunately, that is not often an easy task. Whether you are putting an addition on your house or just sprucing up the deck, here are a few tips you can use to find a quality contractor.

Ask Your Neighbors for Recommendations

If you remember your neighbor had a deck put on the house last week, just stop by and ask which contractor he or she used. This type of personal recommendation can be extremely valuable when it comes to home improvement projects. Review sites and third-party information is fine, but there is no substitute for direct firsthand experience.

If none of your neighbors have had any work done, you can ask around at work or talk to your relatives. Seeking recommendations from a wide variety of individuals is one of the best ways to find a contractor you can trust.

Verify Required Licensing and Registration

Once you have a list of potential contractors, you will want to review their licensing and registration carefully and make sure that everything is in order. State licensing and registration requirements vary, so always check with your state and local government before proceeding.

It is also a good idea to ask the local township representatives their opinions of the contractors you are considering. Local building inspectors and other officials work with many different contractors, and they are often a great source of information.

Ask For References – And Check Them

It is important to ask any contractor you are considering for a list of references, and it is even more important to follow up with those former customers. Ask what they liked most about working with the contractor – and what they liked the least. The answers to these questions can be very important when selecting a contractor.

Talk Payments and Contracts

Whether you are revamping your old patio or enclosing your carport into a garage, no work should begin until you have a contract in front of you. Be sure to read the contract in its entirety and make sure you understand the fine print. If anything seems unclear, ask about it and insist on clear and concise answers.

The contract should also clearly spell out when money will be changing hands and how much each payment will be. Under no circumstances should you pay for the entire cost of the project up front. It is customary to pay a portion at the halfway point and the rest when the job has been completed to your satisfaction.

Finding a contractor you can trust is no easy task. There are plenty of great contractors out there, but there are also some who will take your money and leave the project half done. The tips listed above can help you separate the quality contractors from the rest and make sure your home improvement project goes off without a hitch.