Letting someone in to your home, trusting them to renovate and remodel, can be nerve-wracking. 

Will they do a good job? Will everything be level? What can go wrong?

While we can’t guarantee that everything will go entirely according to plan, we are here with some tips and tricks to ensure that you are doing everything you can to hire the right contractor for your home project.

1) Ask Around

Other than asking friends, family and neighbors, you can reference the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Their motto: “Remodeling Done Right.” This is a trusted site where professionals join in an organization that holds itself to high-quality remodeling work.

2) Ask Questions

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few possible contractors, give them a call and ask away. How will they itemize their bid? Is that bid a fixed or estimated price? How long have you worked in this town? What are your credentials? Are they bonded and insured?

If a contractor resists answering any of these (very common) questions, it’s a red flag. Take note.

3) Payment Schedule

After you make your budget clear to the contractor, come up with a schedule for payment throughout the construction process.

Here is where you need to look for another red flag: If the contractor wants most of the payment up front, there is as chance that they may not finish the project, or a chance that their work will not be satisfactory.

4) Remember: You Get What You Pay For

Too low means they’re either desperate or don’t take pride in their work, and too high just doesn’t work for everyone. Aim for the contractor who prices in the middle, as it’s likely the most accurate price estimate of the bunch.

Not too low. Not too high. Just right.  

5) Write Up a Contract

And be thorough. Make sure everyone is on the same page so that no surprises come up along the way. Cover everything from the schedule to the protocol to be followed if a project is added to the job.

Also, make sure the contract includes the names of everyone who will be working on your home, the contractor’s license number, what permits are necessary (and ensure that the contractor will secure them), and a time frame for the project. Go overboard here with details to make sure that you and the contractor understand every aspect of the project.

6) Prepare Your Home

The last thing you want to see happen in your great-great-aunt’s dining table get damaged and lost in the renovation process. Remove all valuables from construction areas, having a designated are for workers to keep their tools and seal off the construction site.

Do you have any other advice for home owners looking to hire a contractor?