12 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Contractor
What sets you apart as a general contractor? Why are your services the best? How should I choose a contractor?
We get asked these questions often, and when you are looking for someone for your home renovation project, these questions are important! Let’s take some time to look at 12 common mistakes to avoid when selecting a professional contractor.
1. Trusting just one recommendation = danger
Referrals are amazing. Asking your family and friends for recommendations is important. But far too often I see homeowners stopping there. Just because someone you know has had a good experience doesn’t mean you will. Plus maybe another friend or family member has an even better recommendation. What if that contractor has changed, or wasn’t properly vetted by your friend? Do your research and ask around. Just because someone you know recommends them doesn’t mean they are the right fit for you.
2. No License = no go
This might seem like a given, but you’d be surprised. Make sure your contractor has the appropriate licensing and state certifications to perform the work you need. A little asking could save you money and more importantly, it could protect you from a dangerous job. Ask your contractor what licensing they have for the particular job. If they squirm or don’t know if they even need a license, RUN! Reliable home improvement contractors will have the necessary licensing and will demonstrate confidence that they have what it takes to take care of your construction needs.
3. Cheapest bid = probably no
Be careful! Cheap is not always better. You may end up with someone who does cheap work, and when they run out of money, they’ll probably be asking you for more or they might just leave the job entirely. We have fixed/finished many a job by second-rate construction companies. We always recommend looking at the bids and companies objectively, without considering price first. Once you know they can provide you with the service you need, then pick the best deal!
4. Non-local = too long of a leash
Long-distance relationships can be hard. When you hire a handyman or construction company, make sure they are nearby. Too far out-of-town contractors have less of an investment in their local image. It’s also harder to coordinate bids, job follow-ups are more complicated, and they might just skip town. When you work with someone local, you know they are embedded and dependent on your community, this protects you as a customer and provides extra accountability.
5. No online presence = amateur accountability
We live in the 21st century, an online presence is an absolute necessity for a professional business. If you can’t find them online anywhere, do not hire them. If they do a terrible job how can you hold them accountable? You can’t leave them a negative review, worse yet, you may not even be able to contact them again. When a company invests in building an online presence you know they are serious about their work. You want to work with “professional” professionals.
6. No insurance = unnecessary risk
So you want a bathroom and kitchen remodel? Perfect, all you need is someone with a hammer to break open some walls! Right? Wrong. What happens when things go bad? The water leaks and destroys your house. Or maybe they cut the wrong wire and started an electrical fire… what now? If they didn’t have insurance you might be paying thousands for repairs, or worse, building a new home. Do yourself a huge favor and make sure your home renovation company has the proper insurance.
7. Contractor/customer matching services = $$$
We have all been there, overwhelmed by dozens of options and not knowing where to start. Services like Angies List, Thumbtack, HomeAdvisor, and Amazon Home Services help us to select a qualified professional. While we use these services, and they each have their place, we don’t recommend using them exclusively.
There are many reasons why. First of all, those matching companies are out to make money. The more pros they match you with, the better for them; sometimes it doesn’t matter if the pro isn’t the best fit. If that pro says “we paint,” the matching company will kick them your number regardless if they are the right fit for your project. Secondly, because the pros pay extra for you as a “lead” the price can sometimes be higher. Finally, we recommend finding your own list of “top providers” instead of trusting a pay-to-play algorithm for your next small home renovation.
8. Empty Calendar = ???
Sometimes you need emergency service and we will do what we can to accommodate that. But be cautious of companies with completely empty calendars or if they try to rush your job to completion. Good work requires time. Don’t wait around forever, but sometimes waiting a few weeks for an excellent job is better than rushing and getting the first guy who says he’s available.
9. Digital only = scam…?
We’ve covered the importance of having a digital presence. But what about a physical presence? It’s just as important! Your home improvement contractor should have a physical office accessible to the public. You want to be able to drop in, meet your contractor, shake their hand, and if necessary, hold them accountable. We love our office, we are surrounded by amazing contractors here at the Home Service Center. Come on by, anytime. We have lemonade!
10. No business email/phone = professional-ish?
A company with a dedicated business line and email mean business. You should always go with a company with a high level of professionalism.
11. No contract = no guarantee
You should be cautious of a company that relies upon handshakes only. When push comes to shove, you are only protected legally by what you have mutually agreed upon in writing. We are old school, a handshake is as good as our signature, but we still want to protect you as our customer and our employees by working within the reasonable protection of the law. If your prospective contractor won’t send you a sign-able agreement, don’t do business with them. Legitimate businesses will always agree to a written agreement.
12. Not going with Reddy Pros
We hope you have realized by now how important you are to us here at Reddy Pros. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service and unwavering integrity. Our goal is to save you the confusing headache of searching for a contractor. We do all of the above and more.