As a homeowner, you are not just concerned about staying on track and budget. You also want a home contractor who is reputable and who has many years of experience regarding the type of project/repair you need to be completed. If you’re looking for some guidance on how to find a reliable home contractor for your next project, these tips may be helpful.
Use Worthy Sources To Find A Reputable Home Contractor
Asking friends and family members about their past experiences with home improvement contractors can be a great way to find good companies to work with. But if you’re new to the area or unsure about what your other options might be, consider online services like U-Bidit.com to find a reliable home contractor or home service provider who will work for you and not just focus on the profits.
Receive Several Bids From Multiple Contractors
Finding a reliable home contractor can sometimes be daunting, especially during the busy home improvement season. However, that doesn’t mean you should hire the only contractor who did get back to you. It would help if you entertained other bids to ensure you are getting a fair price for the work. This process of getting contractors to come out to your home can be a little exhausting, especially when they don’t even show up! Most contractors are extremely busy and tired at the end of the day and sometimes forget to follow up, now that is not a good excuse, but it is more common than not. If you want to streamline the process and start receiving bids without the hassle of asking a contractor to travel to your home, U-Bidit.com has a unique solution. They offer a free project board where homeowners can post their projects and allow reputable contractors to bid for said work.
Now keep in mind that price points should not be your only determining factor when hiring a reputable contractor. Each contractor will likely have a different approach such as materials used, in-house employees or subcontractors, current workload, completion timelines… this all impacts the finished product, which is what you are paying for in the 1st place!
Check Out Their License
Every reputable and responsible home contractor/home service provider, including contractors listed on U-bidit.com, should have the proper licenses from your state or local municipality to conduct business. Every state or local municipality is different. Some do not require any licenses. A good place to start is with your local municipality and then the attorney general’s website for your state. So you can check them out for yourself and make sure everything is up to date and above-board. U-bidit.com has a list of each state where you can look up to see a contractor’s license or if it is required to perform their trade in your state.
Ask About Necessary Permits Before Getting Started
Before a major home improvement project gets off the ground, don’t just assume the contractor you hired did obtain the right permit or, worse, not at all! Ask upfront if any permits are required. If so, make certain they obtain them before any work begins. If they are uncertain or are not familiar with your local municipality, a quick phone call would be suggested to find out which permits your municipality and state requirements for your project so that you can check in with your contractor accordingly.
Even though acquiring permits will add time to your project, the correct permits ensure your home contractor follows the law and that your project will be thoroughly inspected. This will also be extremely important if you choose to sell your home in the future. You can show documentation of inspections for the improvements/changes you had made to the property.
Draw Up A Contract Before You Hand Over Any Money
Wait until you draw up and sign a contract that outlines the details of your home improvement project, including payment arrangements, timeline, building materials to be used, etc…During the project, If either you or your home contractor need to make changes to the contract to adjust to a problem encountered, ask to sign an addendum with a new project estimate.
Conclusion
There is always a chance; things can get a little dicey when doing a home improvement project. Taking these steps as suggested above should minimize any potential pitfalls you may have.
