The Do's and Don'ts of Hiring a Contractor

Are you considering having the living room painted or repair work done in your bathroom to spruce up your home, but are concerned about the process of hiring a contractor?  Here are some tips to help make home renovations, big or small, go smoother.

Research

The first step in any home improvement project is to have a general idea of the correct way the project is to be completed. For instance, if it is a painting project it is helpful to know the difference between one-coat self-priming paint vs tinted primer followed by two coats of latex paint since there is a difference in the time they take to complete as well as the cost. Having a bit of knowledge about a project helps you be as specific as possible when presenting the idea to potential contractors and will assist in making the process smoother.

Choosing a Contractor

• Recommendations and References. Now that you know what you want, it’s time to hire a contractor. Begin with recommendations from friends and neighbors. Ask them questions about the work they had done in their homes. Were they satisfied? Did they feel the contractor was priced fairly? Were there any delays or complications and why? You can also ask for recommendations on social media platforms like Facebook or Nextdoor. No matter how highly recommended a contractor is, don’t forget to ask for other references. Ask past clients questions about the work that was done and about the contractor themselves. Here are some more questions to ask:

• How did you find them?
• Did the contractor explain what they were going to do and then do it as described?
• Did the contractor show up to work daily or have an employee, so the project moved along, or did work stop for days at a time?  
• Did they meet the proposed deadline?
• Did they clean up at the end of each day?
• Were they friendly and easy to work with?
• Were there any surprises, unpleasant or otherwise? How did the contractor handle them?

Getting Quotes. Be sure to get two or three bids for smaller jobs and four to five for larger projects.

A word of caution: The lowest bid might not be the cheapest in the end as there may be hidden costs. Most contractors are willing to negotiate the price but be cautious not to undervalue the contractor. Remember they too have high overheads.

When asking for quotes, beware of misinterpretation of required follow-up or maintenance. Also, unless you know the person doing the work well, be cautious of discounts offered to be an advertising model or to use leftover materials from a previous job.

• Make sure the contractor is insured and bonded. Ask them to provide the insurance company name, policy number and the policy limits. Call the company and confirm the policy is still in effect.
• Ask your contractor for their license number. You can call the state to verify the license by company name, owner name and license number. Most states require home improvement contractors to be licensed and nearly every state requires electricians and plumbers to be licensed.

Contracts

You’ve chosen the contractor and have worked out a price. The next step is to get a contract. The contract should be detailed no matter the size of the job. It should not simply state Front Door Replacement and the price. Instead make sure the contract specifies the brand, grade, color, quality, model number, and the size of the new door along with other details. For example, will the old frame or a new one be used, or will the old door be disposed of? The cost of all materials should be listed as well as labor costs. The payment terms should have specific dates for items such as deposit, half complete, two-thirds complete and upon completion. Along the way, the contractor should keep you informed on how the work is going and whether there will be any extra costs. Remember you can hold payment if the contractor isn’t completing the job in the timeframes stated.

Other items that should be included are:

• Proof of insurance and licenses, even if you saw the cards during the bid process.
• Who is responsible for clean up as well as the cost of a dumpster or any other disposal if needed.
• Who is obtaining and paying for permits.
• Start and End dates.
• Statement of guarantees or warranty.
• Signatures of all parties.
• Who is responsible for costs resulting from unforeseen complications.

Lastly, it’s important that you not only read a contract’s fine print, but that you fully understand the document. If you have any questions, ask for a further explanation.

While it may seem daunting to hire a contractor, following these steps can assist in finding the right one for your project and one who has a track record of professionalism and excellent work. Don’t feel pressured to choose quickly. Take the time needed to understand the contract and the process itself.

This article is for informational purposes only. The inclusion of references to third parties does not constitute an endorsement.