How to Find the Right Contractor for Home Improvement Repairs?

Summary: Finding a qualified and experienced contractor is very important if you need to finish your home improvement project. Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind.

Hiring a contractor is the first thing you need to do when planning a home improvement or a remodeling project. You can find many on the net, some of whom might even contact you directly. They may give you good prices; but if you go by the price alone, you run into the risk of project failure that can result in higher costs in the long run.

When looking for a home improvement contractor you may want a knowledgeable and an experienced contractor who can offer quality services at a reasonable cost. You will want to look for someone whom you will feel comfortable working with. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind before hiring a contractor for your home improvement project:

Connect with your contractor

Most contractors who might contact you may be competent enough to complete your job for you without being in constant touch with you. But unless you connect with your contractor, you won’t be able to help him understand your goals and expectations with regard to the job you are looking for. Insist on regular communication through phone, text messages or email. It is finding to give the contractor the autonomy to manage the day-to-day tasks. But ask for weekly updates on the progress of the work. This way you will be in control of things.

Don’t compare price with quality

The contractors who come through home improvement live transfer leads generally offer real low bids to get the job. But lowest bids are not always the best bids you can get. Ask for a few references to get an idea about the quality of work your contractor can offer. Get step-by-step details about how the project will take place. Request for a written description of all the materials needed for the job. Make sure the materials used are from standard and well-known brands. Don’t cut corners for a temporary fix. Instead of going for something too expensive or too cheap, look for a bid that is somewhere in the middle.

Credentials are important

Understanding the qualifications of the contractor you hire is very important before you finalize your decision. Look for certifications from national trade organizations. You are looking for memberships, titles and abbreviations such as CGR (Certified Graduate Remodeler), CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist), BIA (Building Industry Association Membership), and NAHB (National Association of Home Builders Membership). Such credentials ascertain the fact that they are bound to a strict code of ethics. Make sure the contractor you hire is licensed, bonded, and insured. Otherwise, you will be held liable in case a member of the work crew gets injured while on the job.

Ask for a home improvement contract

While you may be comfortable with a verbal conversation with the contractor you hire, it is very important that you have a home improvement contract in writing. Such a contract should include a project description, the total cost of the project, the detailed time frames, the license number of your contractor, the payment arrangements, and the methods to handle additional costs if any. Maintain a record of all job-related documents including the contract, payment receipts and so on. Have on hand, contact information of everyone who is working on the project.

Stick to your home improvement budget

Having a home improvement budget is critical if you want your home improvement project to be affordable. Try and break down the project into multiple phases so that you can spread the cost over time. Prioritize the tasks that are more important. Certain tasks like cleaning and painting can be done on your own if you want to save some money.

Determine your home improvement requirements

Do some research on the things that are to be done in order to bring your home improvement project to success. Find out what permits you may need and what regulations you need to follow in order to complete your remodeling project. Although it is your contractor who applies for and acquires all these permits, you have a right to ask for information and find out if things are going in the right track.

Make the necessary preparation for the renovation

There are a lot of things you need to be ready with before your home renovation project begins. Here are a few things you can do:

• Have a specified area for workers to store their tools

• Select some of your favorite colors and finishes

• Review the sample materials and make sure they are okay

• Remove valuables if any so that they don’t get damaged in the work site

• Use plastic sheeting and blue painter’s tape to seal the entry point and prevent dust accumulation

• Have a "go-to-guy" who can communicate between the contractor and the family. This way there won’t be any confusion.

• Make sure all the new equipment and supplies have arrived before the demolition starts. This includes doors, windows, appliances, and all other essential items

• Make sure the work crew is aware of your property lines so that the materials don’t get placed in the wrong areas.

If finding a good home improvement contractor is one thing, seeing the home improvement project to completion is another. There are going to be a lot of inconvenience and disruption. But your focus has to be on the end result.

Author writes for Heritus. A mortgage live transfers generation company in New York, US.