How to Hire the Right Contractor
Hiring the right contractor is relatively easy nowadays compared to the era before the internet and social media. Nowadays what a home owner or business owner has to do is search the World Wide Web using keywords to find a contractor in a specific area or community.
And while the Internet cannot guarantee that you will be able to hire the best, and most efficient contractor in your community, it is at least a great tool to ensure that you can perform a good background check on the contractors that you see around your community. It can also help you find out more about the recommended contractors in your area so that you can be more discerning with your hiring decision.
Having said that it will be great if a client will have an ample time to find a contractor so that he or she can conduct a good background research on his or her prospects, and at the same time would not be rushed into making decisions that may just prove to be counter-productive in the end. So while you still do not need a contractor, find the time to check out contractor services in your vicinity so that when the need arises all you need to do is check out your phonebook and place a call.
Here are some factors to consider in hiring the right contractor:
1. Word of Mouth. Do not pass up the chance to get a good recommendation from friends, neighbors, and relatives in your community as they are in the best position to give you an advice on prospective contractors in the area. Moreover, you can even tour their home (if it is fine with them) to see if the project carried out in your friend’s or neighbor’s house is something that could pass your quality standards.
2. Background Verification. You may want to check out the Better Business Bureau in your area for a list of contractors that do have a good record with them. Check out as well the professional licenses and working permits of the contractors you are eyeing so that you can eliminate or at least lower the risk of getting unqualified service. You may also want to check out local industry organizations in your community for a list of their good standing members, and get as much information about this contractor from the industry organization that they belong to.
3. Compare Cost Estimates. Once you have at least three contractors in mind, get in touch with them and describe the service that you require for your home or commercial establishment. Ask about the inclusions of the service, especially if they work on an “all-in” basis so you would not have to be bothered about procuring your own supplies for the project. Once you have these figures, then you can compare the costs of the contractors your shortlist. Careful though because the cheapest does not always mean the best because hidden costs may be included in the cheapest quote, or there will be come kind of low quality equipment or poor service rendered by the contractor that gave the cheapest contract rate. It is very important to keep a discerning eye.
4. Quality of Service. Apart from cost estimates, a client should also compare the length of time a contractor would need to finish off a project If it is a major one, you would also have to know how many people can work simultaneously on your project. It will also be great if the contractor uses only the most modern and efficient equipment so that the work could be carried out quickly and efficiently.
5. After-Sales Service. Ask the potential contractors on your list about their terms of warranty. If something goes wrong in the project, can they come over at once to fix it without the additional cost? How long is their warranty period? Do they conduct emergency services if needed on a 24-hour seven days a week basis? Do they have a 24/7 hotline?
Now that you are already armed with the things to consider in hiring the right contractor, you should be well on your way to hiring a good one.
Finding a Contractor
Water Damage Repair
And while the Internet cannot guarantee that you will be able to hire the best, and most efficient contractor in your community, it is at least a great tool to ensure that you can perform a good background check on the contractors that you see around your community. It can also help you find out more about the recommended contractors in your area so that you can be more discerning with your hiring decision.
Having said that it will be great if a client will have an ample time to find a contractor so that he or she can conduct a good background research on his or her prospects, and at the same time would not be rushed into making decisions that may just prove to be counter-productive in the end. So while you still do not need a contractor, find the time to check out contractor services in your vicinity so that when the need arises all you need to do is check out your phonebook and place a call.
Here are some factors to consider in hiring the right contractor:
1. Word of Mouth. Do not pass up the chance to get a good recommendation from friends, neighbors, and relatives in your community as they are in the best position to give you an advice on prospective contractors in the area. Moreover, you can even tour their home (if it is fine with them) to see if the project carried out in your friend’s or neighbor’s house is something that could pass your quality standards.
2. Background Verification. You may want to check out the Better Business Bureau in your area for a list of contractors that do have a good record with them. Check out as well the professional licenses and working permits of the contractors you are eyeing so that you can eliminate or at least lower the risk of getting unqualified service. You may also want to check out local industry organizations in your community for a list of their good standing members, and get as much information about this contractor from the industry organization that they belong to.
3. Compare Cost Estimates. Once you have at least three contractors in mind, get in touch with them and describe the service that you require for your home or commercial establishment. Ask about the inclusions of the service, especially if they work on an “all-in” basis so you would not have to be bothered about procuring your own supplies for the project. Once you have these figures, then you can compare the costs of the contractors your shortlist. Careful though because the cheapest does not always mean the best because hidden costs may be included in the cheapest quote, or there will be come kind of low quality equipment or poor service rendered by the contractor that gave the cheapest contract rate. It is very important to keep a discerning eye.
4. Quality of Service. Apart from cost estimates, a client should also compare the length of time a contractor would need to finish off a project If it is a major one, you would also have to know how many people can work simultaneously on your project. It will also be great if the contractor uses only the most modern and efficient equipment so that the work could be carried out quickly and efficiently.
5. After-Sales Service. Ask the potential contractors on your list about their terms of warranty. If something goes wrong in the project, can they come over at once to fix it without the additional cost? How long is their warranty period? Do they conduct emergency services if needed on a 24-hour seven days a week basis? Do they have a 24/7 hotline?
Now that you are already armed with the things to consider in hiring the right contractor, you should be well on your way to hiring a good one.
Finding a Contractor
Water Damage Repair