Do an Internet search on the words “home renovation” and you will find a wealth of results that lead to business in the renovation industry. While there is no shortage of contractors available for every home repair or remodeling project, choosing the right contractor or company for the job is of considerable importance. Nobody wants to pay for poor workmanship, incomplete jobs, or worse, nothing at all. Unfortunately, it happens more often than you think. While you can’t stop contractors from taking advantage of landlords, you can take steps to prevent them from taking advantage of you simply by doing your homework.

Start with references

Chances are, family and friends won’t steer you in the wrong direction with your home renovations. Asking for references on similar jobs that may have been completed is ideal because you can get a good indication of the quality of the work and the reliability of the contractor. If that’s not an option, consider your home renovation or local home builders association, as well as building supply stores.

Background checks

Like credit card or mortgage companies, a background check on contractors gives you insight into a company’s reputation and work ethic. Don’t be afraid to ask for names and numbers of previous jobs. Contractors are not cheap; your research shouldn’t be either. Don’t settle for letters, they can be made up or written by family and friends. A reputable contractor is willing to provide a list of previous clients.

Hear that voice in your head

If you have a bad feeling about a contractor, something is probably not right. A good contractor is easy to communicate, approachable, returns calls, discusses options for problems that may arise, is knowledgeable, provides estimates on paper, and works within your budget. If they fail on any of those items, you may want to move on to the next candidate.

Confirm the qualifications

You wouldn’t hire someone who “reads about” lighting to work on your electrical system, that’s literally playing with fire. Make sure the contractor and its subcontractors have the proper licenses and skills by requesting their business license number and checking with your local licensing office if they are current. You must also validate if they are insured for public liability and property damage, as well as workers’ compensation.

Understand the project

The larger the renovation, the more complicated it will be. Make sure you understand the progression in all its stages; before, during and after completion. Don’t leave yourself or your wallet exposed to unexpected surprises, assumptions, or questions. Have your responsibilities and those of the contractor defined and set out in writing that way, all parties know what is expected of them and who is responsible for what.

Get it in writing

Lawyers are rich because people choose trust over treaties. Unless it is in writing, you can assume that all verbal agreements are non-existent and will not stand up in court. Confirm renewal details in writing along with quotes, price amendments, and arrangements for delays or unexpected costs.

Prices

Sometimes the lowest price is not always the best option. It is always a good idea to accept multiple estimates to calculate an average price and negotiate from there. The contractor willing to do “dirty business” can also take shortcuts; creating potential health and safety problems in the future. In contrast, the contractor presenting an inflated budget is unlikely to be worth your time or money if a large bill replaces the project.

Pay

The way a contractor conducts his financial transactions is a very good indication of his work ethic. Someone requesting cash-only payments and are unsafe in providing receipts or a contract is likely unlicensed, uninsured, and almost guaranteed not to be trustworthy or trustworthy. Cash settlements also leave homeowners with little legal recourse if something goes wrong or if the contractor decides to walk away from the job. Don’t risk burning yourself out trying to save a few dollars; You may end up paying double the amount in the future.

Once you’ve chosen a contractor for your renovation project, be sure to keep the lines of communication open. It is important to remember that you will see your contractor and his team frequently and that mutual respect is a give and take; work with your contractor, but don’t get to the point where you’re in the way of them doing your job. It becomes distracting and creates an unhealthy work environment.