4 Tips for Choosing a Contractor

It can be difficult to choose a contractor for your home remodeling project. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be impossible, especially if you look for a few key things in advance. Here are just four tips for choosing a contractor that you can trust.

1. Check Their Qualifications

It’s a little-known fact about contractors that not every state requires them to be licensed. This doesn’t always mean that they’re inexperienced or unqualified, but if you want to make sure that they have the skills to get the job done, ask them about their credentials. Are they a member of any professional organizations? Do they have any certifications from colleges or trade schools? They should have on-the-job training at the very least.

2. Evaluate Reviews and Referrals

Don’t just read the testimonials on their website; those can be faked or exaggerated. Look for third-party reviews in the form of business rankings, review websites and social media posts. What do customers have to say about the brand? Are they generally satisfied with the level of service that they received? If the reviews are universally negative, the contractor is probably one that you’ll want to avoid. On the other hand, if everyone loves them, there’s probably a reason for it.

3. Look for Trustworthy Qualities

Your contractor is someone who will have access to your home, kids, pets and belongings. It’s imperative that you trust them. Reviews are the easiest way to check this; if a customer reports shoddy work or unpleasant employees, you can look elsewhere for contracting services. You can also search for guarantees on the contractor’s website about theft, professionalism and property damage. There are even contractors who will write off your bill if their employees swear or smoke around you.

4. Stay Local

If you’re remodeling your bathroom in Oakland, look for Oakland plumbers. If you’re redoing your wires in Jacksonville, look for Jacksonville electrical contractors. Not only will this decrease the amount of transportation time for everyone involved, but it will also ensure that you have a contractor who knows about your county’s unique zoning laws, building codes or weather patterns.

These are just four ways to ensure that your contractor is a good one. Whether you’re completely rebuilding your home or just fixing those broken cabinets in the kitchen, it’s important that you choose reliable, dependable workers. Good luck!