Finding the Best Contractor

Home contractors have been busy since the economy began to recover, and increased material costs have raised their prices. What does this mean for people who want to renovate their home? Finding a contractor may not be as simple as it once was. Follow these tips to make sure you and your home are in good hands:


Ask friends, family members and neighbors for referrals. Take the names of at least three different contractors. When you call them, let them know you have been referred by one of their previous clients. This will incentivize them to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction. Contractors can also be found online on websites such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Know what you want to accomplish and how much money you want to spend. This shows you are serious about home renovation, which contractors admire when they are considering bids. At the same time, feel free to get the contractor's opinion. Asking for a contractor's initial thoughts about a project communicates that you value his or her expertise. It also gives you a better idea of how the contractor thinks, based on the feedback he or she provides. It's best to talk about the overarching plan before you discuss price.

Never hire a contractor solely based on price! You will be working closely with this person for a prolonged period of time. The ideal contractor is a good communicator who you feel comfortable discussing your plans and budget with. Someone who comes off as untrustworthy is not right for the job. 

Solicit bids from multiple contractors, and disregard those that come in suspiciously low or high. It's okay to let them know you are getting bids from other contractors. If a bid comes in above what you are willing to pay, tell the contractor how much lower you'd like to go and ask for suggestions on how to lower the cost of the renovation with as little impact on the overall project as possible. Simply negotiating (asking for the same amount of work but at a lower cost) might lead contractors to cut corners. Allow for an additional 10-20% for unexpected expenses. 

Finally, ask for a rough start and end date but keep in mind that you may have to wait for a good, affordable contractor. Want additional information on hiring a contractor? Click here or watch the video below: