When you’re remodeling your home, finding the right contractor to do the work is crucial. After all, many home improvement projects require a permit to complete and could have costly consequences if not done correctly. For the average homeowner, however, navigating the process of finding contractors can be difficult. “Every project is unique and requires a tailored approach from the right contractor to be successful,” says Matt Ehrlichman, CEO of Porch Group. “Homeowners should start their search with a focused plan, thorough research and a trusted network for a smooth and rewarding experience.”
The first step in finding home improvement contractors is to create a list of potential candidates. While you may not need to interview more than a few, it’s best to be prepared with a full list so you can compare candidates and find the one who is a good fit for your needs.
Ask friends, family members and co-workers for recommendations, and don’t be afraid to reach out to your social media network as well. Also, look for references from past remodeling projects. These are often a great way to learn about a contractor’s professionalism, work ethic and quality of work. If a contractor’s portfolio doesn’t include enough completed projects or includes only photos of the finished project without any pictures from before the remodel, this is a sign that they may not be able to produce a high-quality job.
You can also check online reviews to see how others have found their home improvement contractors. Sites like Angie’s List allow you to narrow down your options based on specific criteria, such as years in business and licenses required by your state. Another option is Consumer Reports’ Checkbook, a service that’s completely free and doesn’t accept advertising. It surveys its own subscribers (as well as those of Consumer Reports, which provided early funding) to provide apples-to-apples pricing information based on secret shopping.
Once you have your list of potential contractors, take the time to visit each of their websites or meet in person and review the details of their proposals. This will give you a sense of each contractor’s personality and work style as well as their prices. A good contractor should be able to answer all of your questions, and they will make the whole process as painless as possible.
Finally, be wary of non-local contractors who show up at your door unsolicited to offer their services. These are sometimes referred to as storm chasers, and they can be difficult to track down if something goes wrong or you need follow-up repairs.
Once you’ve narrowed your choices to three or more candidates, it’s a good idea to get each of them to submit a bid for the job. Keep in mind that the lowest bid is not necessarily the best choice, and it’s a good idea to ask for detailed proposals with timelines and cost estimates for each stage of the project. Be sure to compare the bids from each contractor and note the differences in price, materials, warranty terms and any other important details that you can use to make your final decision.