Any home project, whether it’s a total renovation, a kitchen remodel, or building a deck, requires planning and research. Generally, contractors handle larger jobs. There are tons of considerations before starting a home improvement project, and finding a contractor is a priority.
As tempting as it may be to get a recommendation from a friend and move forward without researching multiple options, it’s essential to follow through and do your research. Otherwise, you could end up with a mishandled project resulting in delays, more costs, and poor construction.
Check out these six tips for choosing the best contractor for your project to avoid any headaches!
Recommendations
Asking friends, family, and co-workers for contractor recommendations is a great starting point. But be sure to do research and make sure that a contractor is suitable for your project. You can also contact the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of contractors near you. Building inspectors and even area lumberyards can be sources of recommendations: they’ll know the contractors who meet code requirements and buy quality materials.
Phone Interviews
Create a short list of possible contractors and call each one with these questions to gauge their reliability:
- Is your project something they do?
- Can they provide credit references or other proof they offer quality products?
- Do they have client references?
- What other projects do they have happening during that time frame?
- What is their relationship with their subcontractors?
In-Person Interview
After phone interviews, choose the most likely candidates to gain estimates and answer any other questions about the project. Does the contractor answer your questions to your satisfaction? You need to have your concerns answered, as you want to feel at ease.
Investigate
Before choosing a contractor, check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure there aren’t any outstanding disputes with previous clients or subcontractors. Call former clients to see how their experience was, and don’t be afraid to visit current jobsites to see how the contractors work.
Bids
From the remaining contractors, it’s time to get bids from them. In their proposal, they’ll need to:
- Break down material costs
- Estimate labor costs
- Project profit margins
- Any other expenses
The general rule of thumb is that material accounts for 40 percent of costs, the profit margin is from 15 to 20 percent, and the rest is overhead. Don’t let price guide you; choose the contractor that you feel is the most reliable. Typically, any super-low bid means the contractor is cutting corners.
Payment
Usually, contractors require at least 10 percent at signing for larger projects — be wary of anyone who wants half of the bid upfront. Then, you might expect 25 percent spaced throughout the project with a final 15 percent due once the job is over. Be sure to put everything in writing.
Following these tips for choosing the best contractor for your project will help ensure a successful renovation.