If you have started looking out for a home improvement contractor, you might know how easy it is to find one in your locality. In fact, many of them might have contacted you directly through home improvement leads. In case you are finding it difficult to choose the best among the lot, here are a few factors you would have to consider:
Experience
Before you sign up with any remodeling contractor who comes to you through home improvement leads, it is important that you check out their reputation. Find out when they started their business and what kind of work they have done over the years. This will help you understand if the contractor is the right one for your project.
Credentials
You don’t want to sign up with just about any contractor who contacts clients through home improvement leads. You would want someone who has established a good reputation and adheres to the ethics of the industry. One way to find this out is to look for the abbreviations such as (BIA) Building Industry Association membership, (GCR) Certified Graduate Remodeler, and (CAPS) Certified Aging in Place Specialistthat may be featured behind the contractor’s name. These abbreviations represent the certifications that the contractor has obtained from various national trade organizations. Any contractor who might have earned any of these designations would be a reputable one who adheres to the codes of ethics of the respective organization.
Cost to Quality Ratio
Lowest bid is what most homeowners look for while hiring a contractor. But is this really the right way to hire a contractor? Not really. Most home renovation contractors who contact homeowners through home improvement leads tend to use substandard materials in their desperation to grab projects. You don’t have to overshoot your budget; but at the same time, it is not wise to go for such savings without considering the quality of work. Striking a balance between cost and quality is the key to the completion of a successful home renovation project.
License and Insurance
Hiring a licensed and reputed contractor is very important if you want to complete your home renovation project in a successful and cost-efficient way. Before you sign up with just about any contractor who comes to you via home improvement leads, you need to check if he has proper insurance certificates. These insurance plans will take care of the worker’s compensation and cover property damages if any, without holding you liable for any injuries or damage. Make sure the license and insurance are recent before hiring the contractor.
Project Management Process
If you want to achieve your remodeling objectives successfully you will have to hire a home renovation contractor who can collaborate well with your designers and construction managers. Make sure the contractor’s project management process suits you well so that you can be assured of premium quality work.
Whether you are remodeling your kitchen, adding another bathroom, or renovating your basement, you will need to look for a reputed home renovation contractor who understands your objectives and lives up to your expectations. You will have to make sure he brings to the table the right level of commitment, knowledge, and skillsets that are needed for executing your project successfully. Compare quotes of a few contractors who contact you through home improvement leads. Most of them should give you their estimates free of cost. Read reviews and ask for references to verify their quality of work and justify their costs. Make sure you go through the terms of the contract carefully before signing up with the contractor you think is the best for the job.
