Tips to Finding a Reliable Home Renovation Contractor

2. It’s not easy to find a reliable home renovations contractor for property upgrades, whether big and small. As a homeowner, you aren’t just worried about keeping projects on-budget and on-schedule. If you’re looking for some guidance on how to find a reliable home contractor for your next project, check out these 10 helpful tips.

3. Use reputable sources to find a reliable home contractor According to the sources the most reputable online recommendation services verify user reviews. You want to ensure that each reviewer has actually worked with the home contractor you’re interested in hiring, so you have the most accurate information.

4. Interview multiple contractors Interview multiple candidates to get a sense of what it would be like to have the person work in your home. Each contractor will likely have a different approach, budget, timeline, and relationship with subcontractors in your area.

5. Ask for references Narrowing down your choices? Ask for references from previous homeowners, clients, subcontractors, or employees, so you can see the bigger picture. You’ll want to ask questions about how the home contractor handled changes to the contract, whether they managed to pay everyone on time, and how they treated the job site.

6. Ask for a formal bid or estimate Never sign an agreement with a home contractor without first seeing an estimate of the project’s costs. If you’re still deciding between multiple contractors, a bidding process might help you narrow down your options. In addition to budget and timeline, talk with them about the kinds of materials you want and any subcontractors who might be brought into the renovation.

7. Check out their license Every reputable and reliable home contractor, including contractors should have the proper licenses from your municipality and state to conduct business. Ask to see these licenses, so you can check them out for yourself and make sure everything is up to date and above-board.

8. Conduct a thorough background check When a home contractor runs afoul of the law or racks up a violation with the Better Business Bureau, there will be a record of it. If your potential contractor doesn’t disclose legal issues before you sign on the dotted line, you’re well within your rights to ask—or to go looking for problems in local court records. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

9. Find out about subcontractors Do you know which other companies or service providers—like electricians, plumbers, or carpenters—your potential home contractor likes to use? Find out, so you know more about the other vendors who will complete your property upgrade.

10. Ask about necessary insurance and permits before getting started Before a major home improvement project gets off the ground, a home contractor will need to secure the proper permits, licensing, and insurance. Find out which permits your municipality and state require, so you can check in with your contractor accordingly.

11. Draw up a contract If either you or your home contractor need to make changes to the contract to reflect a new reality—like a problem with your subflooring or a corroded pipe—ask to sign an addendum and to see a new project estimate.

12. Be smart about your payment schedule Only once the project is complete should you pay the rest of the fee. Make sure the fee payment schedule is outlined clearly in your contract, and that this schedule is updated each time a problem arises or a new repair is needed.