Hiring a contractor for home renovation? “Don’t get taken"

Quality, Speed, & Money Don’t Mix! Want Speed? You’ll pay for it!

Top 20 Points To Follow!

1. Ask Friends & Family if they ever hired a contractor and if so who? How was the Experience?
2. Is the contractor Licensed, Insurance & Bonded?
3. How long have they been in the trade?
4. How long have they been in business?
5. Are they local and will they be available to service warranties down the road?
6. What is their rating with the BBB? Everyone gets a complaint at some point but there is a difference between 1 or 2 vs a page or 2. How did the contractor handle the issue?
7. Today if a company has been in business they should be all over the web. Let your fingers do the typing...
8. Do they have a physical office?
9. Are they certified installers of the product you’re looking at?
10. Do they use subcontractors or employees? Which is better? Subcontractors: The company you hire has no control on the workmanship. Employees: The company has control of the project.
11. Does the company have a craftsmanship warranty? what is the manufacturer warranty?
12. Go look at their work! Did you here me! GO LOOK! Look at the details of the finishes?
13. Does the company your about to hire handle the complete project or do they only handle one trade? In most cases you will want a company that can handle it all. This prevents the “he said she said” game.
14. Who will be pulling the proper permits? If it isn’t the contractor RUN!
15. Know what you want before you get a quote.
16. If it’s not in writing it’s not part of the project!
17. Consider the time it took to deliver the estimate. If a contractor tells you that he or she will have the estimate by next Tuesday but doesn't actually get it to you until Friday this may be a reflection of his or her work on the job as well.
18. Never pay more than 30% down (or no more than 50% down if you are only installing windows.) I like the 30% down 30% on start & balance upon completion rule.
19. You need a mechanics lien waver from each trade that was involved BEFORE you turn over the final check to the contractor.
20. Is this a major remodel? You need to make it fun for both sides of the table.