You’ve decided you want to update your home but are curious about what you should know before hiring a contractor. Find out here how to make sure you make the right choice for yourself.
Get More Than One Quote
It is crucial to get a few quotes from different contractors, at minimum two. These should be free, no-obligation quotes. The contractor absolutely needs to do a site visit. You will also want to provide them with information about the specific materials you want to use to make sure the quote is accurate and you won’t incur any hidden costs. Specific materials could include what vanity, light fixtures, flooring, etc., you want to use. Also, who will be responsible for purchasing these materials?
Ask Questions
Be sure you ask the contractor a range of questions so they will meet your expectations. Great starting questions could be when are they available to start, how long will the project take, what hours will they work, could there be hidden costs in addition to the quote? The more questions you ask, the better off your experience will be.
What Materials Are They Using?
Not all materials are created equal. And neither is labour. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and pictures of previous work. Remember, quotes should be broken down to ensure you are comparing Apples to Apples. This is one of the biggest price differences between quotes. For example, in a bathroom renovation, the contractor should be using green board drywall to eliminate the possibility of mould forming. This material is more expensive than regular drywall. But what would you rather have in your bathroom?
How Are Their Finishings?
Another common issue I hear about contractors is that they complete 90% of a job and either won’t finish or will poorly finish the last 10%. Checking out finished photos and focusing on the detail will help but not guarantee finishings. A great indication that the finishes will be well done comes from the saying “you get what you pay for”. If one quote is coming in substantially lower than the others, you better be asking yourself why.
Check Out Reviews
Be sure to read online reviews so you feel completely comfortable in your final decision. The reviews should do the trick but if you can speak with a past customer that is even better! You can ask them what they liked and didn’t like about the contractor to see if they might be the right choice.
If you have any other questions about what you should know before hiring a contractor contact us today.