Blog: Working with Your Contractor: 6 Things To Consider When Hiring a Professional

So, you’re ready to make some improvements to your home, but the scope of your project is a little bigger than what you’re willing to take on yourself. You’ve considered hiring a professional contractor to get the job done, but with all the available options, where do you start?

Finding and working with the right contractor can seem like a project in itself, especially if you’re not sure what to look for. While there are many top-notch candidates out there capable of doing a great job, it can sometimes be difficult to spot an unqualified contractor until it’s too late. To ensure your project goes smoothly and avoid losing money on unnecessary costs, keep these tips in mind when hiring and working with your contractor.

1. Do Your Research

The more you know about your project before going into it, the better equipped you’ll be to choose the right contractor for the job. Research designs, quality materials and estimated time frames for completing projects of similar scopes. Putting a rough plan into place will help you stay focused on what you want to accomplish and provides a better visual for prospective contractors and their teams. There are a number of tools and websites that help with planning out a project, budgeting for materials, and scoping out project work – depending on the size of the job, you might consider purchasing planning software for your project. Research what’s out there, or start drafting up your own plan so you’ll have guidelines for staying on task.

2. Ask For Referrals

Whether you’re redoing your siding or upgrading your gutters, chances are you know someone who’s already had the work done. Ask friends, coworkers and neighbors if they’ve worked with contractors they’d recommend. Find out what projects they’ve finished, ask about the project’s duration, and if they’re willing to share, get a rough estimate of costs involved. If your friends have stories about contractors they would not recommend, make note of these as well! There’s no need to waste your time or money.

3. Interview Your Top Candidates

Once you have a list of potential candidates, narrow it down to your top three contenders. Schedule time to talk with each contractor and learn more about their services, processes and qualifications. This is your chance to find out what makes each contractor unique and see who stands out among the competition. Check out their website for testimonials, ask for references (and call them), and review work portfolios. Find out if each contractor offers warranties or satisfaction guarantees on completed work, and request quotes for all expected services.

This is a great time to share your vision and any research you’ve compiled while planning the scope of your project. Remember: the more details you have ready, the better each contractor will be able to answer your questions and provide pricing and estimated timelines for your project.

4. Find the Right Balance of Quality and Affordability

Once you’ve interviewed your top candidates, you should be able to compare the pros and cons to choose the contractor that’s right for you. Keeping your budget in mind, consider which contractor best understands your vision, has the necessary team and experience to complete the project in a timely manner, and will be able to provide excellent customer service should any issues arise.

A word of caution, don’t just choose the contractor with the lowest bid. Make sure you take all factors into consideration before making a final choice. The contractor and his team will be at your house for several hours every day, possibly for weeks. You want to be sure you feel comfortable, get along well, trust their skill set and will get the job done well and on time.

When you’ve made your final decision, it’s time to sign the contract. Review thoroughly, and ensure that the contract includes all non-negotiable details of your project, the quoted price you’ve agreed on, a timeline, and any other incidentals that you’ve discussed. Be as clear as possible to avoid miscommunication down the road, and make sure you and your contractor both sign the agreement and make copies to have on hand.

5. Be Present

When the papers have been signed and arrangements have been made, it’s time to stand back and let your contractor get to work. Just because you don’t have a hands-on role, however, doesn’t mean you’re no longer part of the project. Be an attentive client: make sure you’re around through the process to answer any questions the contractor may have and keep an eye on the progress to make sure the team sticks to the details outlined in your contract.

Should unforeseen circumstances arise (bad weather, material unavailability, or other hindrances that could cause a delay in the project), discuss them with your contractor immediately to determine how the project budget and timeline may be affected. Sometimes an alternate solution works best depending on the situation—just make sure you and your contractor are on the same page and that any changes or updates are recorded in your contract and signed by both parties.

While you’re at it, keep track of any orders, delivery receipts or other paperwork during the project. Ask your contractor for copies of anything that records a cost, purchase, or delivery, and require that these be matched up to your project scope before moving on.

6. Be Thorough

When the project is completed, be sure to thoroughly inspect your contractor’s work and ask any questions you may have about the maintenance and upkeep of your new renovation. Sit down with your contractor for a final meeting to review all points of your contract (this will help you to remember any details you might have forgotten), and make sure everything is in place before you approve the final results and sign the last check. Don’t be afraid to be thorough—you deserve to get the results you pay for!

Good contractors will want you to be happy with the finished project, particularly if they depend on return business or referrals from you that could help them reach new clients. If they deliver, don’t forget to spread the good word! A positive business relationship not only allows you to make recommendations to other people looking for quality contractors—it could also help you score some discounts or priority services if you plan another project down the road.