If you are planning to do a home remodeling project, you will probably need to hire workers to complete the work for you. After all, unless you are extremely well-versed in many different types of construction or home building trades, it’s nearly impossible to do all of the work yourself. The problem is that not all companies are reputable and will provide good service. To avoid hiring an incompetent company with low-quality staff members, there are several things that you should look for when interviewing potential businesses. It will enable you to find one with the type of employees who will get your job done right.
Insurance
You can verify whether or not a specific company carries insurance by contacting the state/provincial licensing agency. Most states and provinces have a licensing board that oversees all contractors. You can get this agency to find out whether or not the company is insured. If they are, their insurance provider will be listed on their license information.
References
Another important consideration when hiring a home remodeling company is verifying that they have good references from past customers. Ask for references and speak with them to determine if the company did a good job. If you can’t get in touch with former customers, there’s a chance the business may not be legitimate and could take your money and run. To avoid this possibility, make sure to ask for several different types of references, such as residential (homeowners), commercial (businesses), and construction company references if the industry deals with multiple trades.
Warranties
Another good sign is when a company provides warranty for their services, so you know that they stand by their work. Generally, most reputable companies will offer up to a one-year warranty on the labor, materials, and equipment used for your project. This shorter period can be extended with certain products if the manufacturer warrants it. Make sure to ask about this before hiring the company to do the work for you, because some of them won’t provide an extension even if the manufacturer warrants it.
Get Written Estimates from Multiple Home Remodeling Contractors
Before hiring any contractor, get written estimates. You may also want to consider getting at least three different calculations depending on the nature of your job since getting at least three other estimates can help you determine which company to hire. Not only will this allow you to compare the prices, but it’s also suitable for negotiating purposes if you feel that another company may be too expensive or their price is not acceptable.
Get A List of Other Jobs the Business Has Performed
Ask to see a comprehensive list of all past projects to understand what types of work they typically do, including small and large jobs. While many companies may specialize in certain areas, most contractors are versatile enough to handle various projects successfully as long as they are professional. For example, some crew members are better with carpentry while others are better with roofing. Ask how many types of specialists are on staff and what their specialties are so you know who would be working on your job if hired.
Get A Detailed Written Contract
In addition to all of this, make sure to get an explicit written agreement from the company stating precisely what they will provide for you at what cost, which can protect both parties in case something goes wrong during the job later on after hiring them. In other words, if they don’t live up to expectations or fail to complete the project correctly, then you have recourse through a legally binding document that shows exactly what was agreed upon beforehand by both parties. Don’t just sign a general agreement without details because it could cause problems down the line during payment disputes.
In sum, there are several essential things to look for when hiring a home remodeling contractor, but keep in mind that price is not everything if you want quality work and peace of mind from working with someone reputable. In addition to this list, if possible, get proof of insurance or something similar, so you know the company is legitimate and not going to take off with your money without providing you with value in return.