Searching for the right contractor can be a daunting task. That’s why we have prepared 5 tips to help point you in the right direction.
First impression
Does this contractor take my calls? Are they organized? Are they on time? Do they seem interested in my project? Do they seem to take pride in their work? You can tell a lot about someone before they ever even start work. After all, they way you do anything is the way you do everything.
Salesman VS Expert
Is this person just telling me what I want to hear or are they providing me useful insight and attention to my project because they have the experience and confidence to help achieve my goals and best possible outcome for a successful project and realistic price?
Professionalism
Most contractors will be able to nail wood together, hang drywall, put paint on a wall, etc. So what separates the good from the bad? Well, quality and attention to details. The details are things like maintaining a safe and clean job site, protecting things that may be valuable to you, maintaining a schedule with a sense of urgency, and updates on progress or what to expect next. This is where references really come in handy.
Personality
You may be working with this person for a long time. Is this contractor someone you can see yourself getting along with? The best projects result from good customer/client relationships. You have to understand each other and maintain mutual respect throughout the duration of the project in order to maximize productivity. This can deliver great value, peace of mind, and even save you money in the long run.
Price
Why am I getting such a large variance in price? One seems way too high, and another seems suspiciously low. This raises a few red flags. Typically high or low estimates either mean the contractor is too busy for you, or has no work at all and is desperate. Both of which could mean trouble later. You may want to consider one or two more estimates to compare. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples, not everyone’s estimates are written the same way so it may be wise to discuss details of the estimate with your contractor before you finalize your decision. Lastly, be careful of the infamous plain, or bare estimate. The less detailed an estimate is, the more vulnerable it is to change orders later.