Finding the right contractor for your home improvement project can be challenging, but with these 7 tips you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for your needs.
1. Get Referrals from Reliable Sources
Ask your friends, family members, and co-workers for referrals. You can also ask contractors, Green Homes Australia and subcontractors if they have any recommendations for other reliable tradespeople. These people are a great source of information because they’re generally not biased toward any particular company.
2. Check For Licensing & Insurance
Make sure that any contractor you hire is licensed and insured. This will give you peace of mind and protect you from situations where the contractor does not perform up to code or does not finish the job according to your requirements without sufficient compensation.
3. Ask About the Contractor’s Experience
Ask potential contractors about their experience in your local area. A contractor with previous experience in your neighborhood will know the best locations for building materials and subcontractors, while someone who has never worked in your area may have difficulty finding these resources or connecting with other contractors to complete the job. A contractor’s experience will also help you get an idea of how many projects they typically complete per year, which can be a good indication.
4. Ask Around
Talk to friends and family who have had home improvement projects done recently. Ask them if they used a licensed contractor and if they were happy with their work. You may even be able to ask them for the name of their contractor if they were happy with him or her. If you have any friends or family members who are in the construction business, they could also refer you to someone they know who does great work.
5. Look on the Web
You should always do some research online before hiring any contractor, but it’s especially important when looking for a home improvement contractor. Look for reviews about different contractors in your area and see what other people say about them. This can be an especially good source of information because many customers don’t take the time to write reviews unless they are unhappy with their experience.
6. Check out their license
Check the license number with the department of consumer protection in your state or local government. A license number begins with two letters followed by four numbers (for example, ABC1234). You can also check online at www.licenseinfo.us/dcp for any complaints filed against the company in question.
7. Look at the contractor’s website
If you see information about licensing and references, that’s a good sign that the business is reputable and professional. If there is no information on the site, it may be an indication that they don’t have much experience in their field or they aren’t very trustworthy.
One of the easiest ways to find a contractor is to ask people you trust who they have used in the past. If someone you know has had good service from a particular contractor, it’s likely that he or she will recommend that same person to others when they need work done. Take advantage of referral programs. Many contractors offer special deals or discounts to customers who get their names through referrals, so if one of your friends refers you, there is a good chance you will receive a discount on the cost of the services.