A Step-by-step Guide to Choosing the Right Home Improvement Contractor

Starting a new home improvement project or remodel should be an exciting time, but unfortunately it is often overwhelming and stressful.  The exciting part is that you, no doubt, know what you want. But knowing what a quality home improvement project will cost, and who you should trust to complete the work can be extremely stressful. We understand this part of your home improvement project can be a daunting task, enough to put you off the project all together - so we published this article to help. It is a step-by-step guide to help you find the perfect home improvement contractor – so you can enjoy a stress-free home improvement process – the way it should be.

Step 1: Know what you want and why

Before you start talking to or meeting with any home improvement contractors, it is important to have clarity about what you want to achieve out of your project. Why are you doing it? If you can communicate what goal you are hoping to achieve will help the contractor provide recommendations that may be better suited to your objective, lifestyle and budget. For example if you’re looking to replace your windows, is it purely for aesthetics or do you want windows that can also keep your home cooler during summer and warmer during winter?

Step 2: Create a shortlist of vendors 

Ask your family, friends or a local community Facebook group if they know of a good home improvement contractor they would recommend. Conduct an online search for local, reputable contractors. Word of mouth is one of the most trustworthy sources,  as people are unlikely to recommend or refer a contractor that is unreliable or flat out did a bad job.

Once you have a short list of companies, conduct your own online research to learn more about them. Thoroughly read their website, social media pages and customer reviews.  Check out read reviews on third party sites such as: Yelp!, Angie’s List, Houzz, Porch and Home Advisor.

Step 3: Meet in person 

After you have thoroughly checked out their online profile and reviews, reduce your shortlist to just a few contractors you would like to meet to provide you with a quote for the project. Invite them to your home so you can meet them face to face and show them the project area. This is the perfect time to determine their level of expertise and if you feel comfortable with their ability to perform the work.

Be prepared with a list of questions regarding the quality of the products they use, the installation team and their recommendations on the best solution(s) for your home improvement requirements.

Are they looking to just sell you the cheapest or the most expensive solution? Or are they asking questions about your needs, lifestyle and budget so they can provide the right solution at the right price for you? Be wary of people who don’t listen to what’s important to you and are only concerned with their own agenda, like reaching their monthly sales quota.

Also, are they able to clearly explain the contract process so that you will know what to expect during the course of the project. A disorganized company can be extremely frustrating to deal with, especially if you have no idea what they’re doing, when they are doing it and why it is being done.

Step 4: Investigate the company 

After meeting in person, one contractor might stand above the rest. However, it is important you look beyond first impressions. A home improvement contractor might look and sound good on paper, but you need to do your homework. Review their references thoroughly and if they provided you with a list of previous clients, take the time to talk to them. Now is also the time to confirm that they have all proper state and local licenses.  It is a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure they do not have any previous disputes with clients.

Step 5: Determine pricing

Although having a budget for your project is very important - and choosing one contractor over another can sometimes come down to overall price – this should come second to the quality and trustworthiness of the contractor. Choosing a company on price alone may end up costing you more in the long run with uncompleted or unsatisfactory work. When you receive your quotes, ask if they can itemize the costs so you can easily compare with other quotes. It can be difficult to know what is included with each quote if you don’t have a detailed list from which to compare. It is imperative you understand exactly what is, and what is not, included in the price.

Also, it is essential you ask whether this is a fixed price or an estimate, as sometimes project prices can increase quite quickly if the contractor deems more work needs to be done than originally quoted. If possible, ask for a fixed price so you do not end up with added expenses you did not allow for in your budget. 

Step 6: Ask for a timeline

Before you sign on with any contractor, confirm with them when they are able to start your project. Depending on how many other projects they have on, they may not be able to start when you want. 

Then, once you have established a starting date that you are happy with, it is also important that you understand the timeline for the entire project. Not only is it a good idea to have an idea of the process and how long each step will take, but it also shows that the company is organized.

Step 7: Get it all down in writing

At this point, we hope you have found your perfect home improvement contactor. However, before you sign anything, ensure you get everything down in writing. From the price to the timeline, make sure you go over everything you have agreed upon before signing, and that everything on the contract makes sense to you.

By doing all this work upfront, before you hire a home improvement contractor, you should be able to then enjoy the home improvement process with minimal stress.