Do These Things Before Hiring a Contractor

Do you have big plans for your next home renovation project? Have you come to find that the work is beyond your scope? Are you ready to hire a contractor?

Hiring a contractor is never quite as simple as it sounds. On the surface, you assume that all you have to do is find a qualified company, discuss the project, and agree on payment terms.

Unfortunately, it’s not always this simple. There are both good and bad contractors, and it’s up to you to find someone who will deliver exactly what you expect.

With all this in mind, here are a few things you can do to protect yourself when hiring a contractor:

•    Ask for references. While one reference is a good start, you want to request a minimum of three. And don’t just ask for references, you should actually call these people on the phone to discuss the person’s work. This is your time to collect more information, so don’t hesitate to ask questions and take notes.
•    Review the contract in great detail. This is not the most exciting part of hiring a contractor, but it’s something you need to do nonetheless. What happens if the person stops showing up at the job site? What happens if you want to terminate the contract? What about damage to your property? All of these questions, among many others, should be outlined in the contract.
•    Discuss the details of the project. It’s one thing to tell your contractor you want a new kitchen, but another thing entirely to discuss your vision. What type of flooring do you want? How about the cabinets and countertops? Are you hoping to tear down some walls? You should lay everything out so your contractor understands your expectations.

These aren’t the only things you can do to protect yourself when hiring a contractor, but all three points will definitely help to put you in a better position.

When was the last time you hired a contractor? Were you happy with the result, or were you disappointed in the end?