Dealing With Contractors

By The Home Renovator

Knowing what to look for to find a good contractor is important, especially when it comes to renovating your home ...

As you walk down the cavernous aisles of various home improvement stores, you can see the seeds of great ideas that, for some that would attempt a project, turn into a nightmare. We all have ideas of things we'd like to change about our house or rooms, home renovations that seem like they'd be a positive step. These changes and additions to a house will only increase the value and add overall comfort, and hiring a professional to get the job done is a wise idea to save time and possible headaches. Keep in mind, though, that in every industry, there are bad apples, and knowing what to look for to find a good contractor is important.

It may sound easy to find a good contractor, but unfortunately it isn't. Don't be in such a hurry that you compromise quality for a quick job. Every step you take is one step closer to the completed project of your dreams. But if you're not vigilant, that dream could turn into a nightmare! Sometimes it seems that every renovation you undertake is like pulling the lever on a slot machine. Your renovation could come up all cherries, or a big string of bitter lemons!

Many renovations are just too big or too complicated for the average home owner. Once you know your limits, it's time to call in a good contractor to fulfill your ideal home renovation. Depending upon your choice of that contractor, you could be in for a fun and easy ride or a very long and bumpy road.

Your primary task is to hire a thoroughly professional and knowledgeable contracting crew for your renovations. Always ask for and check references! No legitimate professional contractor will object to supplying you with references; they should be proud to give you a history of their work through references. If you're unable to get between six and ten good, solid references, this is a contractor you should pass by.

One of the first things you should ask contractors is to see their licenses and proof of bonded insurance. All legitimate contractors will readily supply you with this information. If they balk, this means something - something not good. An unlicensed and uninsured contractor could cause injury to a crew member due to carelessness and lack of training, or could cause damage to your home. Either way, there could be a lawsuit headed in your direction, either as a plaintiff against the contractor or as a co-defendant against the suit of a crew member.

Get everything in writing! Although oral contracts are legally enforceable, they're very hard to prove. Contracts should be specific about what work is to be done, when it will be completed, what supplies are needed, and how many sub-contractors are needed. Your contract should specify the payment plan; the contractor will give you an estimate of how much the job will cost, and should stand by this estimate. Make sure your contract states that you are not responsible for costs that exceed the contractor's estimate.

Some contractors will request a large down-payment before they begin the renovation job. Establish a payment plan that specifies the down-payment, payment on the day the renovation begins, and a final payment when the job is finished. To keep the contractor on schedule, many home owners withhold a percentage of the final payment until the job is complete, or even offer a bonus for renovations completed ahead of schedule.

Make sure you have firm start and finish dates for your project and have them put down in writing, as well as details about penalties if those deadlines aren't met. You could always sweeten the deal for the contract or crew, by providing a bonus if the job is completed ahead of schedule, but be careful about encouraging rushed, sloppy work if you choose this option. Making the guidelines and agreements clear from the start can mean that you'll be working with the people you hire, not against them.

Next article: Tips On How To Finish A Basement Plan

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