Choosing the Right Contractor

January 31, 2013

Choosing the right contractor is a decision that can face a buyer or a seller. Whether you’re making home improvements and repairs to live in the home or in preparation to sell a home, it’s essential to hire a contractor that is professional, efficient, economic, reliable and experienced. Ask trusted friends or family members for a recommendation, and if the contractor has a business website, look over its reviews and testimonials. Query the Better Business Bureau to make sure that the contractor has not had any complaints levied against their business. Research the average cost of your labor and make sure that the quote you are provided matches the national average—a quote that’s too high or too low could be a red flag.

Related Report: A clean house is a sold house

Choose a contractor whose professional conduct you can verify: check references, make sure all licensing is accurate and up-to-date, and make sure that the contractor is willing to create and sign binding documents stipulating in detail what work is to be done, at what cost, and within what reasonable timeframe. Your contractor should provide you with a written estimate of the cost of their services, detailing what labor will be provided and an estimated date of completion. Make sure, as the work progresses, if new issues arise, that the contract is amended to reflect increased labor costs or a delayed date of completion. With each party understanding what is expected, the process of home repairs, improvements or renovations will be that much easier for all parties involved.