Most homeowners probably don’t know much about home repair, and that’s okay! It’s not your job to know how to fix everything that goes wrong in your home. That’s what hiring a contractor is for. But before you hire just any contractor, there are some things you need to consider. We will discuss eight important factors you should consider when choosing a home repair contractor.
Table of Contents
1. Make Sure the Contractor Is Licensed, Insured, and Bonded
This is probably the most important factor to consider. You want to ensure that the contractor you’re hiring is licensed, insured, and bonded. This will protect you in case anything goes wrong during the repair process.
A good way to check if a contractor is licensed is to go to your state’s licensing board website and search for their name or business license number. It’s also a good idea to ask for proof of insurance and bonding. If a contractor is not licensed, insured, or bonded, you could be liable if something goes wrong during the repair process.
2. Get Multiple Estimates
When you’re getting repairs done, it’s always a good idea to get multiple estimates. This way, you can compare prices and find the best deal. Make sure to get at least three estimates, so you have a good selection to choose from.
It would be best if you also ensured that the estimates are for the same work. Some contractors may try to upsell you on services you don’t need. So, if you compare apples to apples, you’ll be able to find the best contractor for your needs and budget.
3. Reviews
If you’re unsure which contractor to choose, a good way to narrow down your options is to read reviews. You can find reviews on the contractor’s website, Google, Yelp, and other sites.
When reading reviews, pay attention to both the positive and negative ones. A few bad reviews shouldn’t necessarily rule out a contractor, but if there are many of them, it could indicate that they’re not doing a good job.
For example, reviews for the best furnace in Canada might be a great starting point for your research if you are looking for furnace repair contractors.
4. Permits
Depending on your repair work, you may need to get a permit from your city or county. If the contractor is doing work that requires a permit and they don’t pull one, it could void your insurance if something goes wrong. It’s also against the law in most places. So, ask the contractor if they will be pulling any permits for the work they’ll be doing.
5. Warranties
Most reputable contractors will offer some warranty on their work. This is important because it protects you in case something goes wrong after the repair is complete. If a contractor doesn’t offer a warranty, it could indicate that they’re not confident in their work.
6. Communication
It’s important to have good communication with your contractor. After all, they’ll be working in your home, and you want to ensure everything goes smoothly.
You should be able to get a hold of them easily if you have any questions or concerns. They should also keep you updated on the progress of the repairs. If you’re having trouble getting in touch with them or they’re not keeping you updated, it could indicate that there are problems.
7. Payment
Before hiring a contractor, ensure you’re clear on the payment terms. Will you pay upfront, or will they bill you after complete work? It’s also important to ask about any hidden fees. Some contractors may charge extra for things like permits or warranties. So, make sure you know all the costs before you agree to hire someone.
8. Experience
When hiring a contractor, you want to ensure that they have experience with the type of repair work you need. After all, you want the job to be done right. You can ask the contractor about their experience or look at reviews to see what other people say. If a contractor doesn’t have much experience, they may not be the best choice for the job.
Conclusion
When hiring a home repair contractor, you should keep a few things in mind. Compare estimates, read reviews, and ask about warranties and permits. You also want to make sure that the contractor has experience with the type of repair work you need. Considering these factors, you can be sure you’re hiring the best contractor.
