To find a good contractor, ask for recommendations from your friends, family, or neighbors. Avoid DIY projects that require permits and be wary of home improvement scams. Set up consultations with a few contractors and ask them key questions to ensure that you’re on the same page. Not sure where to start? We’ve compiled a list of twelve essential questions to ask.
1. Do You Have a Contractor’s License and Insurance?
One of the most crucial questions to ask a contractor is about their license and insurance. Hiring an unlicensed or uninsured contractor can put you at a significant financial risk. While the license requirements may vary from one state to another, it’s always better to hire a contractor who holds additional licenses than the ones who barely meet the minimum requirements.
A contractor without insurance is a huge red flag. You’ll have to assume liability for their safety covering all the costs associated with any accidents that occur on your site. At the very least, they should have worker’s compensation to protect you from expenses due to injuries.
2. What’s Your Background and Experience?
Ask contractors about their experience level by finding out how long they’ve been in business and how many projects they’ve completed. This information will help you determine if they’re a good fit for your project.
You can ask them about past projects that may have been similar to yours to see if the contractor was able to get them done on time. Don’t be afraid to ask for specifics as you gather these key bits of background information.
3. Can You Provide a List of Past Client Referrals?
Ask for referrals and reviews from a contractor’s past clients. Look up their reputation on websites like Google Business, HomeAdvisor, and social media. This helps you make an informed decision before hiring them for a project.
When reading reviews, it’s important to consider both sides of the story. If you come across a negative review, don’t be afraid to ask your contractor for clarification. When asking for referrals, start with these three.
4. Will You Take Care of Permits?
Not every job will require permits, but they are a necessity for any job that fundamentally changes the structure of your house. Any professional contractor will know what kinds of permits are needed and how to get them, but a great one will also be willing to pull them for you.
There is some cost and time involved in obtaining the right permits. Having an experienced professional handle the process of getting permits and scheduling inspections will allow your job to run more smoothly. Common permits include; building projects, plumbing, electricity, and special projects like fireplaces and decks.
5. What Is Your Schedule?
To assess the level of organization and diligence of a contractor, it is recommended to request their schedule. A contractor who fails to provide a schedule beforehand may struggle with managing their workflow, leading to delays that could potentially cost you both time and money.
When work is being done on your home, you want to know when the crew will be arriving and leaving each day. Also, provided milestone schedules will show they are on track to finish within the agreed timeline.
6. What Is Your Estimated Timeline for Completion?
Your contractor should provide you with a project timeline estimate. Ask for a schedule with intermediate milestones to track progress.
7. How Will Payment Work?
Once you have agreed upon a contract delivery method you can ask about the payment schedule. Most contractors will ask for payment before a project begins, but you should discuss and agree upon a set schedule.
8. How Do You Prefer to be Contacted?
To ensure a successful renovation project, effective communication is paramount. If you encounter any questions regarding the contract or need answers, it’s crucial to be able to reach your contractor. This way, you can address any issues promptly and avoid any potential delays or misunderstandings.
9. Will You Clean Up? (Be Specific)
Different people have different standards when it comes to cleanliness, and this is especially true for individuals who work in environments that are often covered in dirt and sawdust. As the person in charge of the project, you have the freedom to decide whether you would like the site to be cleaned at the end of each day or only once the project has been completed. However, it is important to keep in mind that the time spent cleaning the site is something that you will be paying for, and it may cause delays in your project’s timeline. Therefore, it is crucial to weigh the benefits of having a clean workspace against the potential costs of cleaning it up daily.
There are a few measures you can implement if the work is being done inside your house. Cover vents and doorways with plastic to cut down the spread of dust from cutting and sanding, for example.
10. Is There a Warranty for the Services and/or Materials Involved?
Out of all your home repair questions and answers, this is the one you’ll want to hang on to for a long time. You should ask your contractor for specific warranty details on any fixtures or electrical components before you agree to their installation.
Construction work has an industry-standard one-year warranty. You can contact your contractor during this time for any issues with the project. Keep documentation of materials and services until warranty expires.
11. How Do You Resolve Disagreements?
This may not be the most comfortable question to ask a general contractor, but contractual disagreements are common in the industry. A good contractor should have a solid structure in place for resolving disputes before they get out of hand.
Common construction dispute resolution techniques include negotiations and compromise, mediation, and expert input. Your contractor should have a professional method for resolving disagreements. If your contractor doesn’t have an answer to this question, you may want to find someone who does before the questions get much more difficult.
12. Will You Take Steps to Protect My Property?
When it comes to home renovation projects, demolition is often the first step. However, it’s important to ensure that the rest of the house remains intact during the process. You can ask your contractor what measures they will take to prevent damage, and you can also take steps like relocating items and covering furniture with tarps to protect them.
It is important to note that the contractor is responsible for avoiding any damage to the property such as scratching wood floors, staining carpets, or damaging surrounding walls. If you won’t be at home on the day of the work, it’s important to ask the contractor to lock up before leaving. While it may not be the most pleasant question to ask during an interview, it is crucial to ensure that all key areas are covered.
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