Help! How Do I Choose A Contractor?
Choosing a contractor can prove to be a challenge. What questions should you ask? How do you know if they are legitimate and trustworthy? What are some of the red flags to be aware of? We are an experienced, licensed, insured, and professional Vancouver contractor and are here to help you. In this article, we’ll take a look at what you should consider when hiring a contractor.
The Cost Is Too Good To Be True
Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. Remember the old saying, “You get what you pay for.” Rock bottom quotes almost always mean shoddy work, unsafe actions, and eventually having to pay someone else to do the job right. When discussing money, ensure that you are clear on whether the costs are fixed or estimated. Our quotes are fair, detailed, and align with best practices. We will always give you direct answers to questions you may have about our prices.
Insurance and Licenses
Legitimate operators will go through the necessary steps to obtain a contractor’s license and will provide a copy for your records. Remember, this is separate from a business license. It’s also imperative that you ask for a copy of the insurance certificate, including liability and worker’s compensation. If a worker ends up getting hurt while working on your home or property you want to make sure that you will not be financially responsible.
Length of Time in Business
A contractor who has been in business for at least five years will have established a working relationship and a good reputation with local suppliers and subcontractors. Reputable companies will be able to provide references from previous clients and many, like us, also take advantage of social media to showcase work.
Permits and Inspections
It’s important to be clear with your contractor that if a permit or inspection is needed they will take care of it. Experienced companies like us know which permits are required and the timeline of any inspections that will be needed.
The Team
Find out the name of the foreman on your job and how to contact that person should any questions or problems arise. Inquire about whether the same workers will be on your job daily and what time they will start and finish. Ask about their clean-up practices and what happens to tools and equipment at the end of each day. Organized contractors can answer these questions decisively.
How Long Will The Job Take?
An experienced contractor will be able to give you a clear outline of the daily work and how long a particular job will take. Of course, there are unforeseen circumstances that can arise, but generally, a good contractor can see any potential obstacles well before the job begins. We encourage you to ask us how often we have met anticipated deadlines in previous jobs.
Project Cleanup
Don’t assume that it is the contractor’s responsibility to clean up any debris or materials that are leftover at the conclusion of a job. Some will leave it up to you as a way to lessen your costs, while others will leave your home and property spotless.
A Quote is Not A Contract
The bottom line, both documents should be the same. When signing a contract, have the quote in hand and compare the two.
Payment Structure
It is reasonable to pay a percentage of a job upfront to the contractor, but it’s illegal for a contractor to require more than XX%. Your contract should be clear about what is due and when.
