What to Consider When Hiring a Contractor
Whether you’re building a new construction home from the ground up, or finally getting around to renovating your outdated kitchen, having an experienced contractor that is on top of things, a good communicator, and knowledgeable about your project is critical to having the outcoming your desire.
When choosing a contractor, there are several questions that you may want to consider during your interview or research process. These questions will help you get to know him and his team better as well as understand how his crew works.
Do You Have a Contractor License and Insurance?
Right off the bat, we recommend asking about the licensing and insurance requirements. Licensing and insurance are two of the big questions that must be answered before you even consider hiring a contractor.
Many industries require these documents through the state and the field of contracting is no different. In the state of Massachusetts, homeowners can check the status of a contractor through the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
In addition to being licensed by the state, a contractor should also have insurance that will protect your property and home, as well as crew members. For instance, should a worker get injured on the job site, the insurance under the contractor would handle medical bills and liability.
Tell Me About Your Experience in the Business
To answer to this question, many contractors may give homeowners statistics as to how many years they have been in the business, how many permits they have pulled in the municipality, and direct you to a list of people in your area who they have recently worked with as well as a portfolio of recent jobs.
They may also connect you with their website that can give you access to testimonials, their contractor memberships and affiliations, as well as their Better Business Bureau rating.
Be sure to do your own independent research as a savvy consumer and check for online reviews as well as word-of-mouth reviews that can give you a better idea of the reliability and character of the team you will be working with.
What Modes of Communication Do You Use?
Experienced contractors know that communication is key to a happy client as well as a successful project. At Sordan, we assign a Project Manager for each project who will be the point person for each renovation. This person will give regular updates and answer all questions with regards to the project.
Using a mobile app, homeowners can get real-time updates about the progress of the renovation as well as be able to communicate with the Project Manager regarding questions, concerns, or changes to the initial plan.
Should the scope of work change (as sometimes it does), we will send you immediate notification with regards to its impact on schedule and budget.
What’s The Project Timeline & Payment Schedule?
It’s always smart to have an idea of when a project should reach its completion and what the payment schedule will be. We suggest asking for payment terms before work begins, including payment amounts, key deliverables, and due dates, with the knowledge that in construction, hidden defects or issues can arise that require a revamping of the initial schedule.
Our team prides itself on getting the job done on time and within budget, so long as no changes occur to the originally established scope of work.
Your contractor will be working on improving what is probably your most valuable possession, so take the time to review their qualifications, certifications, licensing, insurance, and recommendations before you make any agreements. Contact us with questions and get started on your next project.
