Additions and renovations to your home are necessary not only to maintain your property, but also to keep your home up-to-date and feeling like a comfortable place to spend your time – something especially important in quarantine. However, hiring the right people or company to do the work is just as important as the what work you’re doing to improve your home. Establishing your relationship with potential contractors is a large factor in ensuring the quality and completion in potential projects. Here are some questions you should consider asking your potential contractor before the project gets started!
1. How long have you been in the business?
Do your research when hiring to make sure that whoever you work with can provide you with the best quality to fit your budget, but also has the experience necessary to get the job done right. Either go with a company who has been in the business for decades and are specialists in what they do (like us!), or support new and small businesses who have an expert on staff overseeing projects to make sure things get done right the first time.
2. Can I see your contractor's license and reviews?
NEVER work with an unlicensed contractor. If the general contractor you’re considering doesn’t have a license, you want to reconsider. The exception to this is specialists who don’t need general contracting licenses but should still have certificates in their specific field. This is a great way to double-check your contractor is legit. Another great way is to ask for reviews or references. If you’re working with someone you found off the internet, you want to know what people are saying about them. Looking on specialized home service sites like Angie’s List or HomeAdvisor is a great place to start.
3. What does the timeline for this project look like?
Not only is important to know how much time your contractor expects a project to take, you also want to make sure they account for any potential delays, especially if you need special parts for a project. Making sure everyone is aware of how long the project will take and any potential risk for delays helps ensure your schedule needs are met.
4. How will materials involved in the process be stored if kept at the property? AND How will you clean up at the end of the day?
Knowing how items are stored or disposed of at the property when the contractors leave can make sure your home isn’t cluttered from construction when the contractors leave. Especially if heavy items are left or moved across your property, you can make sure potential damage doesn’t occur.
5. What measures will be taken to protect my property?
While it may seem blunt, knowing whether areas will be tarped or if contractors will wear shoe coverings in the home can also ensure that damage to the property is reduced overall. Contractors should have measures in place for property protection during construction, but knowing what those are can put your concerns at ease. You also want to ask about the potential for damage to the property and what insurance the individual or company has to cover those types of damages – the last thing you want is accidental damage and no way to pay to fix it.
6. What is the best way to stay in touch with you?
Keeping a clear line of communication during projects is good to make sure everyone is on the same page. Whether communicating when they will be working or making sure new questions can be answered when they pop up can make the process much smoother and easy to navigate when renovating.
Clear communication is necessary before and during the contracting process, don’t be afraid to ask about concerns that you may have at any point! Your contractors should be aware of how best to serve you when taking on projects to ensure everyone is on the same page. When hiring someone to come into your space, make the best decisions you can for yourself, regardless of what that means. Just as every project is unique, the care you require for your property’s space is just as individual. Making sure that you and your contractor are on the same page ensures everyone is comfortable with decisions during the process.
