If you decide that you are going to stay in your home for the rest of your life, you must make sure it’s prepared to accommodate all your needs.  That includes making home repairs and updates early to reduce accidents at home.

For most homeowners, the hardest part of any renovations, modification or repair is finding a reliable and skilled contractor to do the work.  Everyone has heard horror stories about overpaying for bad work, unfinished projects or instances where the contractor just ran off with someone’s money.  It’s our job to make sure that doesn’t happen to you, but even with the support of a team like ours, renovations and modifications can be stressful.

Choosing the right team to work with will make all the difference in your experience. 

Here are a few tips to consider as you look for a contractor.

1.       Know what you want before you get an estimate.

In order to get the most accurate estimate of what you need, you should have an idea of what you want.  The more specific you can be, the better picture you will have of the cost.

2.       Do your research.

Ask for references or referrals from family and friends.  Referrals are always great starting points.  Using your network to find someone that has had similar work done will likely make your search easier.  A bathroom contractor may not be the best person to add on a deck, so asking questions about the work that was done and the contractors’ capabilities are important as well. While researching, check the disciplinary boards, local court records and the status of any licenses your contractor and subcontractors may have to confirm the credibility of your team.

3.       Get at least 3 bids from 3 different contractors.
Getting a written bid from multiple contractors (for the same products and services) will allow you to compare what you are being offered and will ensure that you get what you need.  This will also help ensure that you are paying a fair and reasonable price. 

4.       Ensure you have the proper permits.
The last thing you want is for the work in your home to be in full swing only to be stopped because you don’t have the proper permits.  Stopping work means your contractor will move from your project to another.  This leaves you with an unfinished project and the hassle of having to reschedule the contractor, leaving your home in disarray.  Avoid contractors who suggest you save money by skipping the permit.  Unpermitted work not only violates local ordinances, but it could also create an issue when it comes time to sell your home.

5.       Don’t pay in full upfront.
To avoid the contractor moving on before the little details of the job are complete, make the final payment once you are satisfied with the work done.  If you pay too soon, it may be difficult to get the contractor to return to complete or fix minor details that you want handled or corrected.