How To Find The Home Improvement Contractor and Feel Good About Your Project 

Does the thought of undertaking a new home improvement  project right now make you feel excited? Stressed? Anxious? A mix of all three? Feeling a range of emotions about an impending home improvement project is completely normal, after all, they can be time-consuming and costly affairs, but the end product is always worth it. However, home improvement projects need not be stressful, or at least, your stress levels can be reduced by finding the right home improvement contractor for the job. A quality contractor with great processes, communication and care factor will make your project seem like a breeze, and that is the way it should be. The reality is there are plenty of professional contractors out there, but not all are created equal. While some contractors might try to seduce you with low costs (and low quality outcomes), there are plenty of professionals and skilled contractors who just want to do a good job because they care about the work and their customers. Yet how do you find the right home improvement contractor so you feel good about your project? Here are some steps you can take to help. 

Research, research, research 

The first step to finding the right home improvement contractor is to do your research online. Whether you need replacement windows, a new roof or upgraded siding, having a general understanding of the process, how long the project will take and an estimate of cost will greatly help you in your search for the right contractor. 

Shortlist potential contractors 

A quick search on Yelp! or Angie’s List for example will not only provide you with a list of potential contractors in Maryland or Virginia, but also their client references. You could also ask your friends, family or neighbors for recommendations, because people will rarely recommend someone they did not like or who did a sub-par job. 

Request a quote 

It is a good idea to meet with a few different contractors. It is important you request an itemized quote, as this will give you a good idea of how much they are charging and for what items and installation methods. You can then compare apples with apples when evaluating the quotes from different contractors. It is also wise to ask if their quote is an estimate or fixed price. Estimates can often creep up in price, so it is smart to get a fixed price, if possible, to save you any unexpected costs down the track. 

Understand the Process

To feel good about your home improvement contractor and the project they will be working on, it is a good idea from the start to get a clear understanding of the contractor’s processes and communication style. Ask questions like how often will you keep in touch? Once a week? In-person or over the phone? What happens if something goes wrong – who is your best point of contact? Having an open and honest communication style with your contractor will be the biggest factor in determining how good you feel throughout the whole home improvement project. 

Get it all in writing 

After you have accepted a price and are happy with your contractor’s processes and communication style, make sure you get everything down in writing. Also make sure you go over the contract in detail before signing, and ensure everything in the contract makes sense to you. If not, you can always have the contractor explain things to you. Trustworthy contractors will always be more than happy to clarify anything that is confusing or unclear.

If you are hoping to get a home improvement project done in time for the Holidays, now is the time to get started. Due to COVID-19, supply chains have been affected, so processes are slower than normal. Get in touch with WoW today to find out how we can help with your home improvement project.