Are you planning an improvement project on your home or property? Unless you are experienced in construction work, you should probably hire a contractor to get the job done. Hiring the right contractor can be a difficult decision, though. How can you be sure that you are picking an honest one? Will you be satisfied with the quality of their work? You can answer these questions and address other concerns by doing the following.
Any professional contractor who takes pride in their work will have a portfolio of past projects. You should be able to find this on their website. When checking out their work, keep the following in mind. Do they have the experience necessary for your project? For example, any good contractor can put in a wood floor, but a quality dance floor needs to be specially built. Dance floors need to have a certain amount of spring in order to protect dancer’s joints. If your project requires special expertise, look for a contractor that has completed a similar project.
Also consider the contractor’s style. Many contractors specialize in a certain architectural style, be it modern, colonial, contemporary, etc. If available, you should try to visit a past project so you can evaluate the quality up close.
Contractor work can be dangerous. Any experienced contractor knows the importance of having an insurance policy. Insurance coverage protects you and the contractor from any problems, accidents, or other issues that may come up during the process. If the contractor is injured, their insurance will give them less of a reason to try to sue you. If they damage your home, their insurance will help them pay the cost of repairs, this will give less of an incentive to cover up mistakes. Before hiring, ask for the contractor’s insurance company. If they do not have one, you should find a different one.
Anyone can swing a hammer, so can anyone be a contractor? Not necessarily. Most cities and states require contractors to be licensed. Licenses vary depending on the type of work and the cost of the job. Before hiring, check with your local government to determine what licenses are necessary, then ask your contractor to show you your license. Do not hire the contractor until you have seen proof of their license. Don’t just take their word for it. Hiring an unlicensed contractor can have serious legal ramifications.
It may be more expensive to use a contractor that meets all of these requirements, but it will get the job done right. When the project is complete, you’ll be glad you went to the extra effort to thoroughly vet your contractors. By following this advice, you can be confident that your choice of contractor was the right one.
Need help with your property? SouthGate Companies develops and manages both residential and commercial real estate properties. Talk to us today about what we can do for you.