Hiring a Contractor

Your home is one of the most important investments you will ever make. As such, you want to make sure it is in good condition and appeals to your tastes. Home improvement projects are great ways to make your home unique to you. While some projects are small enough to handle on your own, others may require some help from an expert. When those types of projects arise, consider hiring a contractor. Hiring a competent, reliable and qualified contractor can help you succeed in your home improvement projects. Here are some helpful tips to use when you are considering a contractor for your project:

Conducting the Interview 
Once you’ve researched local contractors and identified a few possibilities, it’s useful to interview said contractors to ensure they’re a good fit for your project. Some questions to ask during these interviews include:

• How long will the project take to complete?
• Will the company work on the project full time?
• Does the company guarantee a finish date?
• Will the company hire subcontractors to assist with the job?
• What kinds of permits are required for the project?
• Is the company state-licensed, registered and bonded?

After the Interview
Following your contractor interviews, you will want to narrow down your options to a few top choices. Then, ask them to provide proof of coverage for workers’ compensation and general liability. Once you’ve obtained this proof from each contractor, request a written bid from each. This bid should include the total price of the contractors’ services, including materials, labor rates and a time frame in which the job will be completed.

By this point, you may have several bids to choose from. Another way to narrow down your options is to check the references provided by each contractor. You can ask the references many questions, such as their level of satisfaction with the finished product, how easy the contractor was to work with and how fair they felt the price of the contractor’s service was.

From there, you should be in a good position to choose a contractor that offers the best price for your budget and has a respected reputation.

Potential Issues With Subcontractors 
Be sure that the contracting company pays subcontractors on time if your contractor must hire them for your project. Otherwise, the subcontractors may be able to put a lien on your home. To protect yourself from this situation, ask the contractor, subcontractors and suppliers for a lien release or waiver.

Make Your Project the Best It Can Be
Hiring a contractor can help ensure that your home improvement project is done well, both technically and aesthetically. Whether your project is large or small, a contractor can help you fulfill your vision.