Are you thinking about diving into a home renovation project, but you know you won’t be able to tackle this project alone? Even experienced DIYers sometimes find that they need to hire a professional to oversee larger projects. If you are thinking about hiring a general contractor to handle a project at your home, here are some things you should keep in mind.
Create a Project Plan
Before you begin calling and emailing potential contractors, it is best to have a clear vision for what you need done, so that you can provide them with all of the necessary information needed to make a reliable quote. This may seem obvious, but many people jump into projects knowing only that they want “a new bathroom” or “a kitchen overhaul.” Those phrases could have vastly different meanings, and budgets, depending on what exactly you have in mind. Start by write out exactly what you are need done, including what items you will be purchasing as part of the renovation. If you will be keeping your appliances, but installing new cabinets, all of that should be included in your kitchen renovation project plan. Your contractor will appreciate having a list of items and services to work with when they schedule your work.
Ask Around
The best way to find out about good reliable contractors who work in your area is to talk to your friends and neighbors. If you have recently relocated and have not yet developed a rapport with anyone in your area, ask the real estate who handled your home purchase. Finding a contractor who has recently done exemplary work for someone you know is much more effective than cold calling businesses you find through a Google search, as you can be more confident in that you will meet with better end results this way. Don’t stop with the first contractor you talk to, even if you think they have given you a good price and can start on your project immediately. It is a good idea to gather a list of at least three or four potential candidates that you can interview about the job.
While we recommend you look for personal recommendations rather than a general internet search, that doesn’t mean you won’t be making use of the internet at all when you are researching contractors. Even if someone is coming to you highly recommended, it is a good idea to check out online reviews to make sure that the positive customer experience is consistent across many clients. If the person you are considering contracts with known vendors, research those as well, including painters, roofers, electricians, etc.
Set Up a Walk Through
For most large scale home improvement projects, a contractor will need to physically see the space they will be working in prior to giving you a firm estimate regarding your project. If someone doesn’t seem interested in doing this and feels confident quoting their estimate over the phone, beware. You can almost be certain that you will end up spending much more than you were originally quoted if the amount is given prior to any first hand observation of the space in question. An in-person meeting will also help you get comfortable with the person that you will be working with, and seeing inside your home for several weeks.
Question You Should Ask
Before that first in-person meeting, be ready with all of the questions you need answered:
What is your experience with this type of project? Some home renovations may be relatively straightforward, while others require specialized knowledge. One example would if your home is located in a registered historic district. In that case you would only want to work with a contractor who has experience renovation historical properties, and dealing with the additional permits and regulations involved. Or perhaps you are looking to redo the walls of a room with a custom paint application. If that is the case, ask potential contractors if they have experience with custom paint finishes rather than merely the standard spray or rolling. When you ask them about their experience with all of the nuances of your project, this will also help them get a better understanding of exactly what all you will be needing from them.
How do you plan to handle unexpected challenges? Experience really matters when selecting a contractor or firm to complete your remodel project, but not just experience with the particular plans you have. They also need to have experience with handling issues that arise that could not have been anticipated. No matter how carefully you have planned out your project, especially larger home renovations, will oftentimes end up presenting multiple unexpected challenges. A contractor never knows what they will find after opening up the walls or doing other demolition. The more experience your contractor has in handling these challenges the better they will be at not allowing them to derail your entire project. Ask for photographs of completed projects, and explanations of how the unexpected was handled.
Are you insured and licensed? Hiring someone who is uninsured or unlicensed might sound like a good way to save money, but cutting corners in this way could come back and bite you later. A reputable contractor will be fully insured in case of any accidents that may occur during the job. This insurance is designed both to protect the homeowner from any potential damage, and to protect the contractor and their workers in the event of an accident. Without insurance, you could be held liable for any injuries or damages that occur. So that cheaper, uninsured contractor could actually end up costing you a great deal of money. Additionally, many homeowners insurance policies will not cover damage done by an uninsured contractor, so you will not even have your own insurance coverage to fall back on. Once you have a copy of the contractor’s insurance information, it is a good idea for you to call the carrier yourself to confirm that they have the appropriate coverage for things like worker’s compensation, property damage, and personal liability in case of accidents.
Do you have references I can speak with? Even if you already had a referral from a friend or neighbor when you called the contractor, go ahead and ask them for references as well. A reference from someone you do not already know can provide valuable insights into a contractor’s quality of work, reliability and cost-effectiveness. Plus, if a contractor is unwilling to give you the contact information of any former clients, this would be a red flag and indication that this might not be the most trustworthy and reliable contractor to work with. When contacting references, be sure to ask specific questions about the project they had completed to see if it was similar to yours. Also find out if the contractor finished on time and on budget, if they were easy to work with and would they be interested in using this contractor again.
What is your cost estimate? You should be able to leave your initial meeting with a contractor with a detailed, written estimate for the work you need completed. This should include an itemized list of materials, labor, permits and other costs. Of course you will need to understand that these amounts are in fact estimates, but the ability to line item what you want is a sign of an experienced contractor. An itemized estimate can also help you avoid surprises later in the project. If you have such estimates from multiple potential contractors, you can more easily make comparisons and decide who will be better for your project. Remember, a cheaper end cost is not always indicative of the best candidate.
What is your payment schedule? A reputable contractor will not ask for full payment up front. Doing so is another red flag and a signal to avoid this particular contractor. The payment schedule that you agree to should be confirmed in writing before you accept a bid for the project. It is also important for you to let the contractor know that you will not submit final payment until after the full project is complete, reviewed and inspected. Professional contractors who wish to maintain their reputations will agree to this arrangement. You should also confirm with the contractor that you will be submitting payments via check or credit card, and never in cash. Explain to the contractor that you will also require a final receipt for the work marked “Paid-in-full” upon satisfied completion.
What does a typical workday look like? This is especially important if you will be living in your home during the renovation process. You will want to find out who all will be coming in and out of your home and one what schedule. Depending on how extensive the work is you are having done, you may need to prepare for workers showing up in the morning and staying all day. This can be particularly challenging if you work from home, and a change to your own daily schedule may be required, especially if loud noises and frequent distractions will interrupt your work. Ask the contractor what are the normal daily start and finish times of the crew, and whether or not the contractor or another manager will be on-site at all times.
How long will it take? Just as important as the budget for the project, another key point is to communicate expectations for when you need the project completed. If you are on a strict timeline, such as anticipating a home sale or having aging parents move in, your needs should be communicated up front. Ask your contractor when they are available to start the job and how long they think it will take to complete. Of course you should remember that many factors can affect this schedules, such as the time of year and the availability of materials. But an experienced contractor will be able to predict these inconveniences and give you a reliable time frame.