Are you the kind of person who walks into a space, and instantly sees all of the possibilities? So am I. We recently bought a new home, and as we begin preparing for the move, my mind wanders to all of the renovations that could be done to make the space ‘ours.’
For anyone who has done a home renovation, you know that things rarely go exactly to plan. To avoid further home reno stress, I recommend hiring a contractor, especially for big jobs. But, that can be easier said than done as there are so many companies to choose from! I’ve got a few suggestions when choosing a contractor.
Recommendations. Ask friends, co-workers or neighbours for recommendations. It’s highly likely that you know someone who has recently done a renovation, or at least has used a contractor in the last few years. It’s also a great idea to check references. Contact both their past clients and subcontractors.
Interview at least three contractors, ask lots of questions and make sure you get a written quote. And don’t forget to read reviews. Check out Google and other online review forums! This is pretty much a job interview, so you don’t want to jump the gun and hire the first person you meet!
Insurance and license. Ask the contractor for a copy of his licence and ensure they and their workers are insured. If you don’t do your due diligence and look into these things, you can be on the hook for any issues or accidents that may happen. It’s also a good idea to check their credibility by following up with the Better Business Bureau.
Don’t pay for the whole job upfront. Be wary of contractors look for large upfront payments before the job begins. And never pay 100 percent of the job before it is complete and you are satisfied.
Communication. Make sure you are comfortable communicating with the contractor.
Get the proper permits. If you are not sure if you need one, contact the city permit department and ask. A good contractor will also be able to tell you and coordinate the permit process. Unpermitted work can also cause problems when it's time to sell.
Be clear on the work that is needed and get clarity on who will be performing the work, will they hire subcontractors for portions of the projects, if so who.
Sign a detailed contract. Make sure the work to be completed is detailed and clearly outlines deadlines, progress, payments, materials and labour costs. You can always write your own if the contractor's version is not detailed enough. Document everything and make sure you document changes to the original agreement in writing.
Do you have and tips for me when it comes to hiring a contractor to aid in the renovation process? Email me your ideas!