Choosing the right contractor for your home improvement project can sometimes be overwhelming. All-too-unfortunately, contractors have gained a bad rap over the years from underhanded dealings, bad experiences, and unprofessional finished products. Many people are nervous that they won’t find a contractor who has real integrity and the skill level to build with excellence.
Be encouraged that here are many truly fantastic companies to choose from, all with their own unique strengths and experiences to offer! However, it is also true that there are contractors that aren’t prepared to give you a professional process or finished product. This quick article is geared to equip you with some questions to ask any contractor or company that you are considering doing business with. With these questions answered, you will be well on your way to an exceptional project.
What Experience Do You Have?
Of course, one of the first questions you should have answered is if your contractor has adequate experience. This should not be difficult to discover! Take the time to look at a business’s website, social media page(s), and customer reviews. Has the business completed projects similar to yours? Does the business have a portfolio of photos showing the quality of their work? What have other people’s experiences with this business been like? Don’t be afraid to ask a contractor questions or ask for referrals. Any professional will be happy to talk with you and share about other projects he/she has done.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
We highly recommend that you don’t do business with any contractor that isn’t licensed and insured. Professional builders are required to have a license in most states, which helps ensure that a builder has the necessary skills and a knowledge of local building codes/regulations.
Insurance is important to protect you from unexpected expenses should an accident or damage occur during the building process. Any professional builder will be happy to produce proof of a license and insurance. Choosing to work with someone who does not have these credentials leaves you in a vulnerable situation.
What Kind of Materials Do You Use?
Ask a contractor about the kinds of materials he uses. A professional deck or fence builder should be recommending and using only high-quality materials from reputable manufacturers. Lack of quality in the materials used will result in a deck or fence that prematurely breaks down and does not last like it should. While a professional builder should try his best to work within your budget, he should also be committed to quality and able to point you to the best brands and products for your specific needs.
What is the Completion Timeline?
A professional builder should be able to give you an accurate idea of how long a project will take, as well as an accurate idea of when the project will begin. Keep in mind however, that even the most professional business experiences setbacks from weather, shipping delays, and other unforeseen circumstances. The most important thing is that your contractor communicates promptly should any delays become evident.
Are All Important Details Understood?
A professional business should have a professional estimate or contract with all the necessary details included. Is the price clear? Do you both understand the scope of work to be done? What will the payment schedule look like? Don’t be afraid to ask for details to be added/written into the quote or contract. This ensures that both parties have a good understanding of what is expected. A professional builder will be eager to work with you until you are comfortable with the agreement.
These are some great things to consider when contemplating a home improvement contractor! We respect all professional builders in our area and know that they give their customers fantastic experiences. Yet we also encourage you to consider Wymore Deck and Fence for your deck or fence project! We are committed to integrity and excellence and would love to work with you!
