Know someone whose home remodel went south?
The contractor that disappeared halfway through their job, blew through their budget, or left them with five tons of work-in-progress dust? Yes, they do exist. Fortunately, you can avoid this. A licensed and experienced contractor is the difference between kitchen paradise and curb appeal desperation.
In fact, in a modern world, not even service dispatching software can run interference between a ‘you get what you get’ contractor and the ‘let’s get it done right’ professional. You are thinking of turning over your keys, sometimes your savings. So take a look at these five practical pro-tips before hiring anyone.
1. Start with Solid Referrals (Not Just Online Stars)
Friends, family, neighbors — your most valuable resources are all around you. People are happy to leave reviews on their experiences with contractors, but the most helpful information will come from the people you rely on most. Ask your friends, family, and neighbors who they have had work done by lately? And was it a good experience, or fall flat?
You can learn so much from others’ experiences on how your contractor communicates, deals with problems, and keeps their word. Once you have a few names, you might need to do some online research to find the right contractor, but start with your trusted resources.
2. Check for Licenses, Insurance, and Professionalism
Would you trust an unlicensed pilot to fly your helicopter? Of course not. Your sweet abode deserves a similar level of scrutiny. Don’t consider a contractor that doesn’t have a legitimate or current license with the city or state. This is a clear sign that they play by the rules on local construction laws and codes.
From there, check to see if they carry liability insurance and a workers’ comp policy. This protects you and them in worst-case scenarios. After that, keep tabs on how they engage with your correspondence. How quickly do they get back to you? Are they polite, concise, and have some manners? Do they arrive when scheduled?
Professionals using job scheduling app software tend to be more efficient, knowledgeable, and on time than those who are not. With a software platform for sending SMS reminders, they can oversee nuggets like dispatching jobs to employees and providing customers with inevitable updates. It’s probably the thing you least focus on, and makes the biggest difference.
3. Get Multiple Bids—but Don’t Automatically Pick the Lowest
It’s so very tempting to simply go with the lowest quote you get. But that may come back to bite you before it’s all said and done. The lowest price could mean they’re cutting corners, are using lesser quality materials, or pushing things through. You want value, not a headache later on.
Get three different written estimates. Try to get even more if you can. Look at more than just the price. Review the amount of work to be done, the timeline for the project, and how well the bid is done.
Does it list all costs as part of the project? Does it include clean-up at the end of the day? Who’s getting the permits, you or the contractor? This will help you get an idea of what a fair price is and what is too good to be true.
4. Ask the Right Questions (and Listen Closely to the Answers)
A good contractor should be a partner, not a mystery.
Ask:
- How many years have you been in business?
- Is it possible to see previous projects?
- What is the plan for the day-to-day?
- How do you deal with unexpected issues?
They will have more experience and preparation. Additionally, we rely on our intuition. Does the contractor have the time to speak to us, or are they always in a rush to go to another project? Are they transparent and answer our questions with all the details?
5. Look for Signs of a Great Organization
It’s no secret that careful planning goes into anything great. Nobody ever just stumbles into a perfect outcome. And a great contractor doesn’t just show up and wing it. The good ones run a tight ship, and they do that with processes.
Whether it comes to contractor scheduling software, service dispatching software, subcontractor scheduling software, or anything else, there is always a method to manage the madness.
Renovate Without Regret
The right contractor is about more than the project. It’s about your peace of mind. Be tough. Don’t let them off the hook. Look for experience, honesty, and professionalism. Demand straight answers and good references.
Also, don’t overlook the little things, like whether they use modern tools to stay organized. After all, your home deserves the best. And when you make the right choice, they won’t just do the job, they’ll do it right.
