Choosing a contractor for your home improvement project can be a little overwhelming if you are not familiar with construction basics or home repairs services in your neighborhood. The first thing you should do before you start calling local contractors is clearly define your needs. The more details you can list on the phone, the easier it will be to get an accurate bid for your job.
You should also decide on your budget in advance. Your working budget should not be the most you're able to spend, because repairs and other work often come up unexpectedly during home improvement or home repair projects. If they do, you'll have some additional, unexpected costs, so keep your budget fluid and build in a cushion.
After you have identified your needs, budget and time constraints, ask trusted friends and acquaintances for contractor referrals. Contact area home repair contractors that have a good reputation. If you're not able to obtain recommendations from anyone you know and trust, go online and search for reviews and other information about local companies.
Prepare a list of questions before contacting any companies. The list will help you remember to ask all your important questions, especially if you're planning on contacting several home improvement contractors. During your conversation, describe your project but also ask about the contractor's experience and qualifications. In particular, it's very important to hire a licensed contractor. It might sound tempting to hire the company that gives you the lowest estimate, but an unlicensed contractor can be more expensive in the long run, especially if mistakes must be corrected.
In addition to having the proper licensing, the contractor you hire should have liability and workers compensation insurance to protect you and the workers from unexpected problems and injuries. If, for example, your home is damaged during the home repair project, the contractor's liability insurance should pay for correcting the damage.
The last thing you should do when hiring a contractor is sign an agreement and come up with a schedule. Be clear about when you expect your contractors to be at your home and make sure you get it in writing. Look over your contract carefully before signing it to avoid any conflicts or disagreements after your home improvement projects gets started.
You should also decide on your budget in advance. Your working budget should not be the most you're able to spend, because repairs and other work often come up unexpectedly during home improvement or home repair projects. If they do, you'll have some additional, unexpected costs, so keep your budget fluid and build in a cushion.
After you have identified your needs, budget and time constraints, ask trusted friends and acquaintances for contractor referrals. Contact area home repair contractors that have a good reputation. If you're not able to obtain recommendations from anyone you know and trust, go online and search for reviews and other information about local companies.
Prepare a list of questions before contacting any companies. The list will help you remember to ask all your important questions, especially if you're planning on contacting several home improvement contractors. During your conversation, describe your project but also ask about the contractor's experience and qualifications. In particular, it's very important to hire a licensed contractor. It might sound tempting to hire the company that gives you the lowest estimate, but an unlicensed contractor can be more expensive in the long run, especially if mistakes must be corrected.
In addition to having the proper licensing, the contractor you hire should have liability and workers compensation insurance to protect you and the workers from unexpected problems and injuries. If, for example, your home is damaged during the home repair project, the contractor's liability insurance should pay for correcting the damage.
The last thing you should do when hiring a contractor is sign an agreement and come up with a schedule. Be clear about when you expect your contractors to be at your home and make sure you get it in writing. Look over your contract carefully before signing it to avoid any conflicts or disagreements after your home improvement projects gets started.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about home improvement, then visit Homestead Roofing's site on how to choose the best type of siding for your needs.
0 comments:
Post a Comment