6 Questions You Need to Ask Before Hiring a Home Remodeling Contractor
by Joe Goldstein on Mar 10, 2020
If you are planning to hire a contractor for some remodel work, it’s vital that you do your research and ask the right questions. Here are a few to get you started.
Did You Ever Do Business Using Another Name?
You must be paying attention to the way the question is answered. If they operated using another name, chances are they won’t want to speak with you about it.
If they have, it may mean that it had been shut down because of shady practices, like asking people to pay upfront and disappear before they completed the work. This is the last thing you want to happen.
What’s the Number of Your License?
In a lot of states, contractors have to register with their state so they can do business. Having a license number will let you verify any judgments or claims they have against them. It also will show if they owned another business using another name.
How can You Be Reached?
You should definitely ask this. It’s essential that you get their business address along with their mobile number and the business phone numbers of your contractor.
If the contractor only will give you their cell phone and a post office box, or they’re operating using a trailer, it’s a good idea to look someplace else. These are all signs that warn you that they may not be reachable years down the line if there’s something wrong.
Can I get an Insurance Policy Copy?
It's important to ask for their insurance policy copy. This will show they carry insurance, what kind of insurance they carry, and the amount they carry. There are many contractors with coverage but they might not have enough for covering your property.
You want to ensure that your property’s covered but that they also are carrying enough workman’s comp. if your contractor isn’t insured properly, you might be liable for injuries or accidents which happen.
What’s the Cost for the Project?
Make sure you’re getting costs upfront and in writing. Ensure your estimates are very detailed. This way, when they’re compared against one another, you know you’re comparing apples and apples.
Be careful of quotes that are very lower than others. This might not include all labor and materials. If you’re getting an estimate that’s a lot higher than others, it could mean the others are missing key barriers that are necessary for completing your project and might get back to you asking for additional money after they’ve started.
Can I Get Some References?
Any remodeling contractor should be able to provide you with at least a few good references, but the devil is in the details.
Is that it?
Not by a long shot, but these questions will help you weed out the bad apples quickly, and help you avoid contractors who just aren’t right for your needs.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
90188 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
71090 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
70478 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
49749 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
29514 Views
Latest Articles
The Appeal and Longevity of Natural Oil Finishes for Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors exude warmth, character, and timeless appeal in any home. To preserve and enhance these qualities, choosing the right finish is...
on May 17, 2024
Understanding Indonesia’s Real Estate Investment Laws for Foreigners
Indonesia, with its stunning landscapes, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality, has emerged as a top destination for foreigners...
on Jan 25, 2024
Real Estate Development in Asian Cities
In many Asian cities, the rapid pace of urban development has led to the decline of historic districts, areas once teeming with cultural richness...
on Jan 25, 2024
Shower Envy: Elevating Your Bathroom with a Stunning Walk-In Shower
Are you tired of the same old routine in your bathroom? It might be time to consider a change, and one way to elevate your bathroom to a new level...
on Jan 22, 2024
Exploring Crowdfunding as an Innovative Approach to Real Estate Investment
The landscape of property selling has been transformed significantly due to the advent of property crowdfunding. This innovative approach,...
on Jan 10, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
![What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire? What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?](http://www.411homerepair.com/diy/uploads/a/admin/construction_47639__e04de.jpg)
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 200
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Dormant Pruning - Part 2
Pruning cuts must be made with full knowledge of future consequences, relying on our perception, or visualization, of the plant's growth...
Choosing a Landscape Contractor
Well designed and installed landscaping adds considerable value to your home (14 - 17 percent), allowing you a return on your investment of 100 to...
How Can You Keep the Tile-Flooring Clean and Shining?
If you are going to be putting in new tile floor in your home or you currently have tile floor in some areas of your home, then you’re probably...
Designing and Building an Arbor
Few projects are as easy to build or as beautiful to look at as an arbor. We suggest building your arbor from pressure-treated lumber or rough-cut...
Total Plant Health Care (TPHC)
Total Plant Health Care (TPHC) is a holistic approach to the cultural, environmental and human inputs to which our plants are subject....