So, you’ve decided you’re sure about the project you’ve been “going to do” for a while now. That’s exciting, this is exciting, change is exciting!!! What’s next? How do you make sure the company you choose for the project isn’t just skilled but is also a good fit for you and your home? Do you simply go on Google and choose the highest-ranking contractor in your area? Of Course not, the dangers in that are countless. To help guide homeowners during this exciting time we’ve put together this blog outlining simple steps that you can take to make finding the right contractor for you feel like a breeze.
What first? That’s the easy part. You simply need to ask yourself “what is it that I need to have done and what do I want out of a company?”. Easy enough! You’ve got your answer, now it’s off to Google. Right? Not exactly. Google is definitely your friend here, all social media outlets are your friend here. Before you start to utilize your resources, you need to put together an idea of what you’re looking for in a contractor. There are hundreds of contractors in any given area who may very well be qualified for your projects needs. However, what about your experience and expectations? So, let’s make a list! Ask yourself things like, “what level of quality am I looking for?”, “what level of professionalism do I want in my home?”, “How ‘Vetted’ do I want the employees to be?”, “am I looking for low cost, or high cost with long warranty promises?”. Regardless of what you’re looking for, it’s a good idea to set a list of requirements before starting your search.
Now you know what you want out of a contractor and you’re ready to utilize your resources so go ahead, take to google and Facebook, ask around and get your top five contractors in mind. Got them in mind? Great! Now let’s Put those detective skills to work and find anything you can on those companies. How do they treat and vet their employees? What are their reviews like? Are there negative reviews an automatic red flag for you? How do they respond to negative feedback? Pictures, comments, values, all these things contribute to the experience you can expect to have.
okay so you’ve made it through the research process and you’re onto the “getting quotes process”. This process will tell you a lot about a company. luckily, you’ve already done a good amount of research to weed out the “don’t contact” companies so hopefully this step will run a bit smoother. Skipping the research part could potentially make this part a nightmare, but you’re a smart cookie so you won’t be doing that. It’s usually a good idea to get a few quotes together to compare them. Ask the contractors for a breakdown, don’t be afraid to ask them to make things clear for you. This will help you understand how they will carry out your entire project. Will they be dismissive of your questions or open and honest, welcoming you to be a part of the process?
After you’ve gotten your quotes, compared the prices and spoken with the contractors you should have a pretty good idea of who you’d like to go with. This is where your excitement could put on blinders, so be sure you trust whom you’ve chosen. Read your contract fully, be sure you understand everything and ask questions about the things that aren’t so clear. there’s no shame in changing your mind if you noticed the vibes changed upon the idea of signing a contract. Don’t sign unless, you’re sure. A good contractor won’t be upset with your questions, they’ll want you to feel comfortable with them and trust them. They understand even a small project is a big deal for you.
There’s no doubt this can all feel overwhelming. I mean come on, choosing the right contractors will literally dictate the course of the entire project. No worries though! You’ve stumbled across this blog for a reason. Now you’re set with the most basic yet effective tips on finding the right contractor for your project!
Thanks for reading! As always have a Happy Remodeling Journey!
– China Siperko