Advice for Hiring a Licensed Contractor
When it comes to home projects, there is a lot of merit to the do-it-yourself approach that many homeowners take. While it saves you money, gets your hands dirty, and leaves you with a sense of accomplishment, sometimes there are some tasks that simply require a professional. Whether you are about to hiring a plumber or a general contractor to undergo a home remodel, here are a few tips to make the process go smoothly.
- Interview a few candidates
You’ll want to speak to a few different contractors before selecting one to get an idea of your options, especially if your project is expensive. Speaking with a few candidates has a number of benefits: you’ll get a range of quotes, you’ll learn more about the work that is to be done, and you’ll get a feel for which contractors you get along with. When selecting the contractor, go with your gut feeling. You’re going to want to be comfortable and get along with the person that you choose, because you could be working with them for a while.
- Make sure the contractor is licensed
You can perform a quick google search to check your local regulations to see if contractors need to be licensed in your area to perform the work they are going to do for you. Insurance documents are also important, having a license and insurance minimizes your risk because it shows that they are experienced and credible. If the contractor doesn’t have insurance, if one of their workers gets injured on the job, you could be held liable.
- Get a contract in place
Having a contract in place will protect you in case the contractor shirks their responsibilities or goes over budget. The contract should spell out everything, no detail is too small.
- Find out who will be performing the work
Many times contractors hire other contractors to actually perform the work, this is called subcontracting. Large jobs like remodels often require general contractors to hire electricians, concrete contractors, or other professionals to get the job done, so this is completely normal. Regardless, this is often a good thing, as these specialized professionals are more knowledgeable about their respective fields. This again goes back to picking a good contractor from the beginning – one that you trust to hire the right subcontractors.
- Clearly Set Expectations
Before beginning your project, clearly lay out your limits and expectations with your contractor. You have the right to let them know when you want them to show up, when you want them to wrap up for the day, and when you want the project completed by. These requests will naturally affect the project timeline and costs, so it’s important to get this clear upfront so your contractor can work with you and set expectations for the project.
