Your home is where you spend most of your time; it is your safe haven. So, when deciding who to help you with adding on to your humble abode, you should be putting a lot of thought into who will be handling this task.
We have put together a guide to help you in the evaluation process.
Ask around
A recommendation goes a long way. If you know someone who recently had work done by a contractor, ask them how the process went. Maybe they can even let you see the work completed to determine if you like the job that was done.
If you know someone in the trade field, they likely will have a good contractor recommendation as well. Keep in mind, it is best to ask someone with similar interests to yours.
Reach out
Now that you have a list of contractors you might be interested in working with, reach out to them and see if they would be interested in working with you as well. By providing the name of the friend that recommended them, this can also start a good relationship.
Show them the project you want them to work on and see what thoughts and ideas they have. A simple conversation will quickly help you to figure out who is serious about working with you.
After deciding that they have the potential to work on your addition, now is the time to ask for a quote.
Look at their work
This is one of the first steps, and the easiest way to determine if the contractor you are eyeing is the one for your project.
Not only is it important to see photos of their previous work, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask if you could tour a job site they are currently working on.
This will allow you to see how professional the work crew is and how clean they keep the job site.
Check references
The length of a contractor’s reference list says a lot. If they can provide more than 5 references, this shows that they not only have experience, but they know that reference can vouch for them.
When calling references, make sure to ask if the crew was polite and courteous and if they would use the contractor again. If any problems or obstacles came up during the project, ask them how they solved it.
Compare the numbers
Keep in mind that the rate you are quoted is just an estimate. Materials such as countertops and flooring all vary drastically depending on the type of finishing’s you choose.
When receiving your quote, ask for a detailed list of where the costs are going.
Go with your gut
In the end, the right contractor will make themselves known. If you love one contractor’s work, but are put off by his work ethic, it is safe to say that might not be a good working relationship.
The lowest quote may not always be of the best quality. It all comes down to a great team, quality work, and others who can vouch for the right contractor.