Hire a reliable contractor for your home renovation

Renovating a home can be stressful. Reduce the stress that comes with home renovations by following these tips to find a reliable, trustworthy contractor.

Home renovations can range from standard home upgrades and maintenance to massive additions and a full overhaul of the layout. But no matter how big or small the project, they’re always stressful. One of the biggest stressors in a home remodel project is working with a trustworthy contractor who won’t overcharge you, will be transparent about the progress of the work, and will stick to a realistic timeline. Don’t get stuck with a half-finished kitchen remodel and a contractor who has gone M.I.A. by following these steps to finding a contractor you can trust.

1. Know Who You Need to Hire

Not all remodeling projects require the same professionals. Depending on the scope of the project, some require a more comprehensive team than others. Your first step in hiring a contractor will be to know exactly who you need to hire. Contractors may include:

• General contractors: oversee all aspects of a project including hiring subcontractors for specialized parts of each project, pulling permits, and making sure everything is properly inspected and up to code.
• Specialty contractors: are the contractors who will come out to install specialized products or features. If you buy a new smart refrigerator and you need a professional to install it, you’ll need a specialty contractor. If you need a person who specializes in custom cabinetry to install your new kitchen cabinets, they will be a specialty contractor.
• Architects: draw up the blueprints and aid the general contractor in the technical building aspects of the renovation. When additions, structural changes, and major changes in home layout are involved, you’ll need an architect. 
• Designers: handle the overall aesthetics of a large home remodel. Major renovations, new builds, and additions usually need to be completely redesigned and will need someone with an experienced designer’s eye to execute properly. Designers will transform your new remodel into the beautiful space of your dreams.

2. Ask Around for Referrals

The internet is a great tool in finding almost anything, but when it comes to hiring a reliable contractor, nothing beats a good, old-fashioned, word-of-mouth recommendation.
Start by asking friends, family, and your real estate agent if they have had any renovation or remodeling work done in their home recently and what their experience was like. Most people who are close to you won’t mind disclosing costs, but even if they aren’t comfortable with it, they’ll still probably tell you whether or not they were charged a reasonable price. Don’t forget to ask co-workers, neighbors, and have everyone ask around for you, too.

3. Use Reputable Referral Websites

Don’t trust everything you read on the internet. Googling the name of a business isn’t always the most reliable way to check up on their reputation. Rely on more niche, hyperlocal websites for reviews of contractors from your very own neighbors. Sites like Nextdoor have become a popular way for people to find referrals and reviews for local services and trustworthy contractors and professionals.

4. Get More Than One Estimate

A good rule of thumb is to get at least three estimates for a project, especially when you’re dealing with a bigger job. This will help you gauge the personality, work ethic, and price standards of each company and prevent you from getting ripped off.
If you receive two comparable quotes and the third comes back significantly higher, you know you can cut the outlier off your list. Don’t automatically default to the lowest bidder, though—as with all services, you get what you pay for. But don’t be timid about asking for details about how the costs are broken down.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Here are a few important questions to ask every contractor you’re considering:

• Can you provide your license and insurance certificate?
• How long will the project reasonably take?
• How much experience do you have with similar projects?
• What permits are going to be necessary to complete the remodel? Will you be in charge of pulling them?
• Do you handle cleanup and waste disposal?
• How many projects will you be working on at the same time?
• How do you usually handle unforeseen issues that impact the budget?

The more you know about the process of your remodel or renovation, the more confident you can feel in who you hire.

6. Verify Their Insurance

All reputable contractors will be insured. Ask to see copies of insurance certifications to make sure they are current and include:

• Personal liability
• Worker’s compensation
• Property damage coverage

7. Ask for References

Any good contractor will be able to give you the names, addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses of two or three clients they have done similar projects for. Check with these clients and make sure to ask how long it took, whether it was completed in time, if they were satisfied with the work done, if the contractor was reliable, and if there have been any problems with the work since it was completed.

8. Make Sure They Offer a Written Contract

Don’t ever agree to a business transaction and, above all, never hand over money without a legally binding contract that you have read in full. Remember that contract requirements can vary from state to state and some may not even mandate that you have one in the first place. A good contractor will provide one whether they have to or not. 
Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure the contract includes:

• Who is doing the work—the contractor’s name
• Your name and the address of where work is being completed
• Estimated start and completion date
• A price quote for work completed in a specific time frame
• The payment schedule
• The contractor’s agreement to get any necessary permits
• An agreement on how to handle any unforeseen changes, upgrades, or issues
• A detailed, itemized list of materials
• Any promises or agreements that were made between the two of you
• What the contractor will or won’t do, including cleanup and trash removal
• Any limitations imposed by the contractor

9. Keep All of Your Records

Get a folder and label it for this specific project. Use it to keep track of any transactions, contract copies, contract changes, receipts, expenses, and correspondence pertaining to the project. To be even more thorough, keep a log of all of the phone calls, conversations, and meetings you have with the contractor pertaining to the project.
If you do have problems with the contractor or their work, this detailed file will become especially important in order to be properly compensated.

10. Keep an Eye Out for Warning Signs

Now that you have a good idea of what you should be looking for in a good contractor, you should also know what to look for in a bad contractor. Never hire someone who:

• Knocks on your door unsolicited and asks if you’re looking for a contractor—no matter how much of a discount they offer
• Offers to use leftover materials from previous jobs
• Offers a discount for you paying in all cash
• Pressures you for an on-the-spot answer or acts too condescending or pushy
• Asks you to pay for services upfront before work is completed
• Requires you to get the necessary building permits
• Doesn’t have a listed business number in a local directory
• Doesn’t have an online footprint 

Don’t be shy about turning someone down if they give you a bad feeling. Good contractors usually have a lot of projects and wouldn’t get upset if you change your mind. If they react very negatively, you can be assured that you dodged a bullet.