Home renovation projects can quickly become a costly, time-consuming nightmare if it’s not planned out appropriately beforehand. Whether you are tearing down a single wall or completing renovating an entire room, you need to carefully choose the right contractor for the job. With dozens of different contractors out there, though, how do you now which one to choose? In this post, we’re going to reveal 5 questions homeowners should ask before hiring a professional contractor, however always remember to run a background check using the Dmagazine free online tools to conduct a background check.
#1 – Do You Guarantee Job Completion By The Deadline?
There’s nothing more frustrating that having the interior of your home destroyed for weeks or even months on end. Having construction materials and trash littered throughout your home will impact your family’s life. This is why it’s important to ask the contractors whether tor not they guarantee job completion by the deadline. If they don’t guarantee it, find out how they will compensate you in the event of an extended project.
#2 – Is Your Price an Estimate or Fixed?
Contractors typically give clients either an estimated or fixed price. As the name suggests, an ‘estimated’ price is an unofficial number which the contractor ballparks based on previous jobs and experience, while a fixed price is the actual amount you’ll pay. Ideally, you should try to get a fixed price from the contractor before starting a job, as this will help to prevent unforeseen costs. For instance, if you need a plumber who can provide re-piping or drain cleaning services, make sure to get the final cost estimate before starting the project.
#3 – Are You Licensed and Insured?
Of course, you’ll want to make sure the contractor is licensed and insured before hiring them. Don’t just take their word for it, but do your own research to ensure their license is valid and active. Most stated have an online database storing active contractor licenses. A simple internet search should determine whether or not the contractor’s license is valid.
#4 – Are Cleanup Costs Included?
Cleanup costs are oftentimes overlooked by homeowners. Depending on the size of the job, however, they can easily costs several hundred dollars if not more. Ask the contractor if the cleanup costs are included with the initial price. If they aren’t included, you may want to consider doing it yourself. A dumpster rental and trash removal service for a day will likely cost a fraction of the price charged by a contractor. Just call over some buddies once the dumpster has arrived and start tossing all of the trash and leftover debris. With a couple extra set of hands, cleanup should go rather smoothly.
#5 – Do You Have References?
Lastly, check the contractor’s references before hiring them. Some contractors have references, education and experience listed on their site. For others, though, you may have to ask them over the phone. Use your best judgment and avoid hiring contractors that are hesitant to give you reference information.
These are just a few of the most important questions you should ask a contractor before hiring them. Whether the renovation job is big or small, you want to choose a qualified contractor that knows what they are doing.
Featured images:
License: Image author owned
Ashton is a content contributor for StairSupplies.net. Ashton hired this company here to install new stair treads and other stair parts in his home.
