Unless you’re a DIY pro (and we mean an actual professional who just likes to work on your own house in your free time) you’ll likely need to hire a home improvement contractor at some point. No matter how much you enjoy getting up on a ladder and cleaning your gutters or inspecting your vinyl siding, at some point there will be a task that exceeds the limit of your abilities or your willingness to tolerate frustration.
And so, you’ll call in a pro. Great! But how can you make the experience as painless and effective as possible? How can you set yourself and your contractor up for the greatest possible success? Communication is the key. We have 7 tips to share to ensure you hire the right person, ask the right questions, get the right quote, and understand all the work you have done.
Hire the Right Person for the Job
When you start the process of searching for a contractor, you probably have a particular task in mind for them to accomplish. So, start off by searching for someone who is an expert in the kind of work you want to have done: if you’ve got a siding concern, call a vinyl siding contractor; if you’ve got a roof leak, call a roofing contractor. If you don’t know exactly WHAT needs to be done, you probably have at least identified a problem that needs to be solved. Look for a contractor that specializes in solving those types of problems.
How will you know if they’re an expert in the type of situation you’re dealing with? You can look on their website, for a start, and read reviews from previous customers to look for mentions of the particular issue you’re facing. Or, even better, ask around among friends, family, and neighbors to see if any of them have hired a contractor for the same issue, and find out who had a fantastic experience with their contractor. Then, start by calling that one!
Be Specific About What You Want
Homeowners can be nervous about how much they DON’T know in terms of work that needs to be done around their home, and that can lead to them NOT sharing relevant information when they’re hiring a contractor. Don’t be afraid! Home improvement contractors are used to working with people who have identified a problem in their home but don’t know exactly how to fix it. Don’t assume that your contractor will understand your specific situation, exactly what you want, or everything that is relevant to your situation. They may be the experts when it comes to home repairs, but you are the expert on YOUR home. Share with them what you’ve observed and noticed about the problem, and give them the best possible opportunity to be fully armed with as much information about the situation as possible before they get started.
Get a Free Estimate (or Three)
Once you’ve identified a few top-tier local contractors, call several, explain your situation, and ask for an estimate. There’s no reason to pay for an estimate – the best home improvement companies will provide free estimates with plenty of detail, and they’ll be willing to answer all of your questions before work begins. (Don’t settle for anything less!) But don’t just get an estimate from one contractor – get at least three.
Go with the contractor that makes you feel the most comfortable and well-informed about your choices. Just remember, home improvement contractors are typically NOT a “you get what you pay for” situation – you’ll sometimes be able to hire a stellar contractor at a very reasonable price.
Ask Questions at the Beginning
When you’ve got a few estimates in hand, be sure to ask questions. They won’t all be exactly the same – contractors will vary in their approach to a particular problem. Identify discrepancies between the work that is outlined, cost estimates, differences in materials, etc. A great contractor will happily explain why they believe their approach is the right one. They may suggest using different materials, have a different timeline, or want to use an entirely different method to address your problem. Ask questions until you understand the differences and know when you’re comparing apples to apples … or that you at least understand which ones are apples and which are oranges.
Ask More Questions as They Come Up
There’s nothing that says that you have to stop asking questions once you’ve hired a contractor! There may be things you didn’t think of in the beginning, or questions that crop up as the work progresses. Ask, if you’re uncertain! From the contractor’s side, they want you to be a happy customer, and a well-informed customer who feels comfortable with their choices and how they’re spending their money is far more likely to finish the process feeling great about the work they’ve had done.
Get a Warranty (in Writing)
If you’re purchasing physical products (roofing, vinyl siding, gutters) they should come with a warranty from the manufacturer. And any work you have done by the contractor should come with its own warranty. Make sure you understand how long the products and services you’ve purchased are guaranteed to last, and get that information in writing to make sure there’s no issues or confusion in the future.
Follow Up with Any Questions, Concerns, or Problems as They Arise
You want to feel great about the work you’ve had done on your home, and your contractor wants you to feel great about it, too. So, if issues come up, even after the work has been done, don’t hesitate to get in touch with them. If there’s a problem, they’ll want to fix it. If you have questions that haven’t been answered, they’ll want to answer them. Having the best possible experience with hiring a great local contractor really comes down to hiring the right contractor and not being afraid to ask questions.