How to Interview a Contractor
Hiring a contractor can seem like a daunting task. Who do you call? How do you know they will do a good job? These are all very good questions that can be difficult to answer. Before the contract is signed, there are some things you should be aware of. It is important that you carefully interview your contractor and understand how much experience they bring to the table. But remember, experience does not correlate with quality so ask for references. Someone with a good track record will be more reliable then someone without one. Here is a list of some important questions to ask when hiring a contractor:
Are you a licensed contractor?
Every state requires a contractor to be licensed and not every state makes it easy or cheap to become licensed. A licensed contractor is a must for most projects so make sure you ask to see credentials!
Do You Have Insurance to Cover Damages?
With a good contractor you shouldn't have to worry about any damages occuring to your home, but everyone makes mistakes, even the good guys - just make sure you don't end up paying for them! It is important to find out if your contractor has the proper insurance to cover any damages that they or their team may cause to your home.
What is the Timeline?
If your contractor is experience a general but close estimate of how long the project will take can be expected. You should be concerened if a general timeline is difficult for the contractor to provide, and you should probably look for someone else. A lot of times, problems will come up during a project that take longer then expected to fix, but your contractor should be able to identify and discuss potential issues ahead of time.
Will You Provide a Detailed Contract and Do You Have A Back Up Plan?
Holding both parties accountable is very important in any project. A contract will hold the contractor liable for getting their work done ina timeframe you both agree to. It should also be able to settle certain situations that arise during a project. Backup plans and knowing what to do in certain situations can save a lot of trouble in the end. It is vital that you BOTH understand the scope of the project, potential problems, and have a goodunderstanding of what the project will entail.
.