There are particular kinds of home improvement projects that can be performed on your own. For example, repainting the porch or hanging painting or photos at home are the type of work that can be done even without any prior skills. However, some home renovation projects do require a good contractor who can use their brain when repairing your home.
A good contractor is a professional who won’t use all your available budget, but will do everything at the best quality and will require optimal payment for it. This is a person who knows all local and federal regulations concerning basement renovation projects and who can create a detailed outline for the HVAC renovation. Good general contractor worth his weight in gold and pretty hard to find. Here are three tips that will help you sift out swindlers and find a pro.
Top 3 tips to find a good contractor
- Ask for references
This tip you will read in all articles available online. While the idea is great, in reality, your perspective “good contractor” is able to choose which references to give you. As a result, you will get only positive feedback and won’t learn about the real deal. To get the accurate picture of a good contractor, make sure that you also check reference about him or her online, on local web forums, and in local directories. - Call your city code inspector
All good contractors pass particular inspection with the city code inspector. Some can barely scrap knowledge together to pass, while others do it with their eyes closed. So in order to get a truly great general contractor, make sure that you contact the local inspector. This person will always be able to give you some hints and advice on which contractors to work with. - Ask around in local stores
Yes, all local supply stores have a list of professional electricians, plumbers, contractors, roofers, painters, etc. So if you have nowhere to go for advice, asking in a supply store can be a great way out! Of course, if you choose this path, keep in mind that the previous two tips should still be accounted for.
Research
This is another common tip in the Web. Everyone says that you need to research your prospective contractor, yet very few explain how.
So, first and foremost, what you need to do is verify your contractor’s status with the Better Business Bureau. References you’ve already read (see point two) are also a part of this research.
Secondly, respectful contractors also have their license renewed regularly. To check if it’s valid and exists at all, visit the website of Department of Consumer Affairs. All you need is put there the number your contractor has provided and verify its eligibility.
Finally, just put your contractor’s name on Google and check what information the search provides you with. If the first 5-10 pages give positive comments or professional information about a contractor, then this is a reliable good contractor. If you can’t find any relevant matches, then think twice!
Compare
The comparison is essential in choosing a good contractor. To each his own – this saying perfectly sums up the idea. Every single contractor has his or her own vision of your project and comes up with various solutions. The more people you talk to, the better idea you will be able to find. It’s that simple.
Be precise
A good contractor is not a great mentalist. It’s not their job to understand how you see that project or how you imagined it in the beginning. So if you want your home improvement project to look as you believe it should, make sure that you precisely explain to your contractor what you want and how you want it. Make sure that you dot the i’s and cross the t’s before the project begins. For instance, if you want the tree to be removed from the yard, then ensure that you tell about roots removal and further debris removal as well.
Beware of the following “good contractor”
- If you see the lowest bidder, watch out. It’s either a low quality “expert” or the one with the lack of experience. Both are bad.
- Don’t get caught with promises to get the moon. It never happens.
- No contract offered – no contractor hired. Get everything in writing, additional changes too. Never rely on the good word of a contractor.
- Never accept work from people you haven’t seen before. This concerns cases when a contractor sends his or her subcontractors to do the dirty job.
- Never work on the basis of “no money – no honey”. Work first, payment last.
