House renovations: How to Choose a Good Contractor
Sometimes, the most challenging aspect of a house renovations project is choosing the right contractor. In order to make sure you’re on the right path to a perfect home upgrade, we at Rockethammer have put together some steps that you can take while choosing a good contractor:
1. Know what your requirements are
The very first step in choosing a good house renovations contractor is largely about what you want. It’s important to have a plan and decide what type of renovation you want. Not only will this give you something concrete to work on, but will also make it simpler to get an accurate, upfront quote. If the contractor is unable to understand what your requirements are or stick to your ideas and vision during the initial discussion, its best to look for someone else.
2. Get recommendations from friends and family
A good contractor will generate a significant number of positive recommendations. Speak with friends and family and even your acquaintances and neighbors. This will help you narrow down your list, and will give you a good idea of whom to avoid. The first-hand feedback these people give you about the contractors they have worked with will help you zero in on someone best suited to your needs.
3. Read online reviews and testimonials
Most people looking for a service or product will first read online reviews to get a better understanding of what past customers are saying about a particular company. Look at credible review sites and visit social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook etc. This will give you a better idea of what the company’s standing in the market is. You should also check how the contractor handles complaints and how proactive they are with providing resolutions..
4. Get multiple quotes
Don’t settle for the first contractor that you contact. It’s important that you get quotes from multiple operators to compare pricing. Check all the aspects of the quote and make note of what the inclusions and exclusions are. It’s also important that you check for hidden fees and costs as these can add significantly to the overall cost of the project. Understand whether they are able to handle projects like yours and what their experience in this respect is.
To best compare the quotes, ask each of the contractors to provide a break-up of the costs for materials, labor & other expenses. Generally, the materials should represent approximately 40% of the total cost and 40% should be for labor as well as other expenses. Up to 20% should be accounted for by the profit margin.
5. License and insurance
Make sure that the contractor you hire is certified, licensed and insured. This helps ensure they will carry out the house renovations work to industry standards. It’s important that the contractor has insurance cover and workers compensation as well. In the chance occurrence of any accident or damage, while the project is in progress, your interests will be covered.
6. Ask them for references
A credible contractor will be more than willing to provide references of past clients if you ask them for it. This proves their credibility; you can call some of these clients and get first-hand feedback about the services the company provides and what the quality of their work is.
Once you have checked all the aspects and like the quote that has been presented to you, start the negotiation process. Ensure the contract is comprehensive and that you are comfortable with it before the start of your house renovations project.
We at Rockethammer can provide excellent house renovations solutions based on your specific needs. For more information, feel free to call us at 514 901-1144.
