Renovating your home is not only about the work that goes into it but also finding a competent, trustworthy and professional contractor to do the job. There have been many horror stories where contractors started renovation jobs and left without finishing or of projects costing far beyond the estimated budget.
A contractor who is efficient and performs high-quality work is needed but even with a good one the home renovation can bring forth lots of issues and surprises such as leaking pipes or rotten floors. And so, below we will share some great tips on how to find the right contractor.
Have a clear vision and idea of what you want your project to be. Draw up a plan of ideas before contacting a contractor; this way, you will receive more accurate estimates for your project.
Contact family and friends for references to competent contractors. People you know may have done a similar project to yours and would have credible recommendations. Reach out to them so that they can connect you with them.
Select at least five contractors to interview once found. Have a detailed conversation with each contractor and ask a lot of questions about your project. Make sure that each contractor sends a proposal with identical tasks, for you to have a thorough comparison. This is one of the essential parts of the whole process.
Ask the basic questions, such as, what the subcontractor’s roles will be. If you are working on a big project, the main contractor will likely appoint subcontractors for specialized work. Find out what their schedules will be and task allocations.
Choose the contractor who has the appropriate licences and litigation history. Be sure to ask the contractor and subcontractors for copies of their licences to ensure that you will receive quality wings.
Sign a detailed contract. Put together a contract that spells out all the details, from payment schedules, deadlines, materials to be used and the quantities. Protect yourself at all costs.
Get the necessary permits. Most countries require certain permits and so to avoid breaching certain laws and receiving fines, sign up for them. Do not hire contractors who insist on working without permits as you may run into serious issues during and after your project.
Always pay a deposit only before work commences. Do not ever pay a contractor in full before starting a project. There have been stories of contractors who have scammed their clients. Having a payment schedule for each phase of your renovation will protect you and ensure that all work is completed thoroughly.
Once you have gone through all the pointers above, and your project starts, be sure to streamline all communication channels with your contractor. Schedule daily calls with your builder to make sure that everything is going according to plan. Having organized and clear communication will enable you to speak up if any issues arise immediately. You hire a contractor who you trust so that you do not have to micromanage and oversee the project at all times. A reliable contractor will deliver frequent updates and supervise the project on your behalf. You can always rely on Hipages if you really struggle to find a good tradesperson.
Do not make final payments until you are completely satisfied and your contractors have finished the project assigned to them. This point needs to be stated in the contract so that everyone involved is aware. Everything that involves the project should be transparent. Sneaky and corrupt contractors would leave a project without finishing the finer details. Do not let this happen to you; be very vigilant and smart.