Hiring A Contractor: Top Three Things To Remember

Sometimes, it can be tempting to do the job yourself, especially when it feels like the home renovation project that you want is too simple for a contractor to take care of. However, nothing beats hiring a pro to do the job. Not only do they have the set of tools needed to get the job done, but they’ve got the skills to make sure that it is done right.

However, choosing the right contractor can be a very tricky process. When you end up with the wrong one, it could lead to a series of problems that could cause dismay, delay, and even legal problems. Let this list of guidelines help you to choose the right contractor to hire.

Trust Your Instincts

Gut feel, they say, is something unexplainable. True enough. It is something that you feel towards something or someone that you can’t explain. Since the contractor will be working closely with you and your family, you have to make sure that the one you hire is someone you feel comfortable with. If, for any reason, you don’t like a contractor, trust your instincts. Your gut feel must be telling you something, and you should not take that for granted.

Ask for Their License, Insurance, and Bonds

The contractor you hire must be licensed to operate in the area where you live. Their license is the reassurance that you need that they are indeed skilled to do what you hired them for. More importantly, their license will tell you that they come with insurance coverage as well as a bond. Both aspects of operations of a contractor assure the client that they are covered in case any accident happens on the site of renovation.

Pick the Right Fit

But how do you know that the contractor you are negotiating with is the right fit? This part can be very tricky, but you can start by checking the type of projects they have worked with so far. Make sure that they specialize in the kind of renovation project that you want. Some might claim to be an expert in everything. Although this may be possible, there might be some specific projects that they excel more, and that helps determine their expertise.

If you are looking at hiring a contractor, do not be in a hurry. Take your time to check and evaluate their skills set as well as their expertise. Doing so will save you from hiring the wrong one, to begin with.

Mario LaFlamme

Mario has worked as a general contractor and renovator for over 19 years. He has a degree in Business & Management, and while in college operated a Student Painting Company, and was the most successful of his franchise colleagues. After college, he opened a renovation company in Quebec. He moved to Edmonton with the intention of improving his English and perfecting his skills in general contracting. He has worked for different contractors and learned many aspects of the business. He has built relationships with other contractors such as electricians and plumbers, who share his perfectionist attitude towards home renovation. Mario wants to help you have the best home lifestyle possible.