How To Hire a Contractor

Monday, May 10th, 2010 at 4:03 pm

Most home improvement projects require a reliable, experienced contractor to do a job right. But, sometimes, we might get careless and hire a contractor for the wrong reasons. Or, we might simply be complacent with background checks. This could result in a job gone wrong, which might cause you to lose money in the long run. Before we begin to shell out beaucoup bucks on our home improvement savior, consider these steps to hire the right contractor.

Interview more than one contractor; ideally, consider three or four to interview. If they know they’re competing with other potential hirees, they might anticipate a bidding war and lower their rates to stay competitive.
Ask for references. A reputable contractor has nothing to hide and would, more than willingly, provide you with former clients who are knowledgeable about the person.
If available, check for reviews. Popular contractor review sites such as Angie’s list (www.angieslist.com) provide reviews and data about your contractor. You can browse for individuals or companies and determine if they have any negative marks or potential issues that might affect your job. You can also reference national associations such as the phccweb.org for plumbers.
For high cost projects, make sure that the contractor is licensed. A licensed contractor can prove to be more than thorough in their work. Morever, determine if the individual or company has a warranty if something goes wrong.
Beware of the lowest contractor bid. If you interview more than one contractor, you’ll certainly obtain varying bids for your project. If you find a person with an unusually low bid, chances are that the contractor may be desparate. The person can be desperate because he or she is new or doesn’t have a great reputation.
Put the contract into writing. Determine the payment schedule, start and completion date, and information about subcontractors. By writing up a contractor, you make it clear about your intentions.

I’m sure I can list a lot more advice and information on how to hire contractors, but these points could be a great starting point.