It’s important to hire a qualified contractor for any kind of home project – plumbing, HVAC, roofing, insulating, remodeling, etc. A trustworthy and experienced professional can make all the difference in how well your job turns out.
13 Questions to Ensure You Hire the Right Contractor
Here’s a list of questions to ask your home service provider.
1. How long have you been in business?
Experienced contractors will have systems in place to ensure their work is of the highest quality, is on time, and is within your budget.
If your uncle Fred recommends a handyman he has worked with, consider starting him off with a smaller project to see how he performs.
2. Are you licensed?
Just having a business license is not enough. Make sure that anyone you hire has obtained certifications that are specific to their area of expertise.
Click on this link to see your state’s requirements for contractors.
3. May I see your certificate of insurance?
Contractors need to have both liability insurance and workers’ compensation that are specific to the type of job required.
4. Will you obtain necessary permits and set up required inspections?
Most remodeling projects that change a home’s structure require permits and/or inspections. A contractor should know what permits are necessary and obtain them.
5. What is your timeline for completion?
It’s important to understand when a contractor will start and finish a project. You also need to be aware of how any changes to the timeline will be addressed.
6. What is the payment schedule?
A reputable contractor won’t ask for full payment upfront. Discuss payment terms – you need to know exactly how much is due and when.
7. Are there likely to be additional charges?
Home improvement projects can sometimes be unpredictable, and circumstances could arise to change the estimated price. You want to be assured that a contractor won’t go over the agreed-upon budget without your approval.
8. Will a dedicated team be working on my job?
Contracting companies usually work on more than one job at once. Verify that you can count on consistency by asking:
Will the same people be working on the job each day?
Who is the project manager, and what specifically will he be overseeing?
Do you use subcontractors? If so, have you properly qualified them, and are they covered by your worker’s compensation and liability insurances?
9. What can I expect when the work is in progress?
Questions to ask include:
What are the daily start and end times?
Do any items need to be removed from the work areas?
What noise levels can I expect?
Will I need to be home at any time during the day?
10. How will you clean up?
A quality contractor will ensure that the job site is cleaned up at the end of each day. If large equipment items are to remain, discuss where they will be kept and how they will be transported. You don’t want heavy items dragged across your hardwood floors on their way to the garage.
11. How will you protect my property?
Here are some questions to ask in regards to protecting your furnishings and home.
Will you cover large furniture items and surfaces in the work area?
Will you recommend items that should be moved out of the way?
Will you close or lock doors when entering and leaving my property?
12. Does your service come with a warranty?
Find out what the warranty covers and how long it stays in effect. Ask about manufacturers’ warranties on materials used.
13. How will any disputes be resolved?
Unfortunately, disagreements do sometimes occur. Ask how disputes will be handled and what happens if you aren’t fully satisfied with the work.
Conclusion​
This may seem like a lot to ask, but it’s crucial to have excellent communication between you and your contractor. Also, be aware that a good contractor will question you. An open dialogue will help ensure that both parties have clear and reasonable expectations of how the project will go.
