Home improvement serves as a task itself, however, the contractor/contractors involved can turn a simple task into a large sum of woeful worries. Hiring a contractor may seem like a minuscule feat, but such a myriad of things can go so wrong, so fast.
Marketing referral websites are companies formed to make money, similar to any advertising magazines received in the mail. The only difference is that they air it on popular devices such as television, for the general public to view, and be unduly influenced. In my opinion and personal experience as a client, I have seen disreputable companies represented as credible by marketing engines. As a general contractor myself, I would personally recommend to use these guidelines when hiring a contractor.
1. Make sure your contractor is licensed and insured.
2. Whether you are getting a permit for the job or not, tell them that you are, in order to see the reaction, and if you are told it will only influence the price, it is a good sign, but if he begins to say things such as “It’s a small job”, “You don’t need one”, or “I’ve done so many jobs without permits”, etc. you should be cautious. (In my opinion, sometimes it is okay to do the job without a permit, in order to prolong the job.
The only way to do this though, is if you trust your contractor, and he is using the right materials, guidelines, and knows what he’s doing.
3. If possible, it is recommended to ask to see other work that the contractor has done. Ask about warranties.
4. Inquire to see works in progress, and use this advantage to see the crew.
5. Try to use contractors that people you know have used. This way, you can see work that they have previously done, and can get honest opinions of the contractor and his work, instead of playing guessing games, and reading online reviews that could be fraudulent and misleading.
6. Once the job has been completed, don’t be afraid to openly share your opinions of the contractor. Prove unreal reviews to be false, and alert anyone you know seeking to improve their home, of the contractor and whether they are credible or not. Also, try to file “Rip-off Reports” which allow other people to know/see the true work/reviews of the business. Many disreputable businesses use marketing tools to heavily advertise, and receive jobs, which is how they make their income. Filing reports against them helps to get the word out about their downfalls, and whether or not they are a company worth hiring.
7. Make sure to make a contract with the contractor you have selected to hire, but remember to make sure that everything you are looking for is included in the contract. Remember that having the contract does not insure that your contractor will respect the contract. Make sure the payments specified in the contract keep you comfortable throughout the whole process.
Good Luck!
