4 Tips for Hiring A Good General Contractor for Home Improvement
Choosing the wrong contractor can turn an exciting home improvement project into a nightmare. Because of this, it’s important to do your homework and carefully navigate your way through the bidding and selection process. Here are some tips below to help you choose a good general contractor for your project.
1. Do Some Research
Some contractors may try to take advantage of homeowners’ ignorance. There’s no better way to prevent this from happening than doing some research so that you are better educated on the home remodeling process. You don’t need to know the finer details of the process, but having a general idea of estimate costs and what you can expect during the renovation is always a wise decision.
2. Know What to Look For
Before you can choose a company, you must first know the characteristics you need in a good home improvement contractor. Do you need a strong communicator? Or, is it okay if the project manager does not give regular reports, so long as he gets the job done? Know what you need and therefore what to look for in a contractor before selecting one.
3. Ask for Qualifications
No matter how great a communicator a company is and how amazing their portfolio of completed projects, if they are not properly licensed, bonded and insured your project may be at risk. Be sure to ask for proof of this before signing a contract. Many companies allow these qualifications to lapse because they are expensive to maintain.
4. Always Get a Contract in Writing
Never rely on mere word of mouth. Get everything in writing: from the design proposal, to cost estimate, and expected delivery time. This further protects your project by ensuring that should things go awry, you can prove what the initial deliverables were.
Choosing the right company for a home improvement project can seem a little intimidating. However, if you follow the tips outlined above, you are on the right path to making the right decision. The most important thing is that you hire professionals for the job, so if something goes wrong, you will be compensated.