Things To Do Before Hiring a Contractor

Hiring a contractor can be a chore if you don't know what to look for and what to ask. There are some things that you should do and know before hiring someone for your building or home improvement project, no matter how big or small. Here are a few examples of things you should do before hiring a contractor:

Check Licenses and Insurance

Anyone you hire should have the proper licensure necessary to complete whatever work needs to be done, and should also be insured and bonded. After all you’re letting them into your home, or place of business, often unsupervised.

Make No Exceptions

This protects both you and the contractor in the event of accidental damage or injury to anyone near the project site. Not only should you ask for the documentation for this important information, but you should also follow up by verifying the information as well by calling the licensing authority.

Ask For References

To ensure that you are hiring a good contractor that you will work well with, ask for references and actually call them. It might seem intimidating to call a reference but people will be happy to talk to you about their project.

Check Online Rating Sites

Your contractor's relationship with past clients is a good indicator for how well you might get along as well. Online rating sites can give you a lot of information. Not only about how pleased clients are with the work, but you can also get insight into how the contractor handles controversy.

Get Multiple Quotes

To get the best deal and contractor possible, you should be getting quotes and information from multiple contractors, not just one. Compare their past projects, reference information, pricing, and your overall feelings about how well they understood your vision for the project at hand. Keep in mind that choosing a contractor should never come down to just price.

Interview the Contractor

While your entire project certainly doesn't weigh solely on how much you like your contractor, your end result will always be better if you find someone that you can work well with, and who understands your plans. You want to interview each contractor and discuss with them your plans to get an idea of who will be best suited to completing your project with you.

Getting Along With the Contractor

Getting along with your contractor might seem like a small detail, but it is pretty important considering that you will likely be spending quite a bit of time together, and your ability to communicate and work well together could affect the outcome of your project. If you get a bad vibe during the interview process or don’t like them, it’s okay to say no.

Know Your Project

Do your research and learn the steps involved in your project. This way, when you are discussing your project, you can have a good idea of whether or not the contractor knows what he or she is talking about and whether or not they have a good feel for what you want. Research similar project criteria to get an idea of the appropriate timeline, supplies, and skills needed for your project before interviewing anyone. The better you know your project, the better you will be able to help your contractor complete a successful project.

A successful project is greatly influenced by the right contractor. You want someone who understands your vision for the outcome of your project as well as someone who will treat you fairly and do good work. It will be worth the extra effort and research to ensure that you are hiring the right contractor. It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident, and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.