Planning a home improvement project? Even a plan for minor construction, like a new roof or siding replacement, can feel very intimidating and stories of struggles and headaches are everywhere. But just because news stories focus on the negative experiences, that doesn’t mean that home improvement projects can’t be straightforward, organized, and on time. The key to a satisfying and successful home project begins with choosing the right contractor – for any job. Here are a few simple steps homeowners can take to make sure they find the right contractor to work on their home.
Do Your Homework
Research is always key to any new venture, home construction included. When looking for a contractor it can be very helpful to talk to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers, anyone you may know who has recently had work done on their home. Personal experiences are a very helpful way to get to know who you might be working with going forward.
The Internet is also a helpful resource for extensive reviews and reports on various types of contractors. Google is a great place to start to learn about local contractors who specialize in different areas like home remodeling, roofing, siding, windows and doors. Especially in Rochester, NY, many people utilize platforms like NextDoor and Angie’s List to find reputable contractors nearby. Positive reviews are certainly helpful, but oftentimes the negative reviews can shed even more light on a company’s reputation. Mistakes happen and how a company responds can tell you a lot about whether or not that’s the type of contractor you want to be working with.
As you start making calls to different vendors, one specific item to ask about is whether or not the contractor is fully insured. You’ll want to be sure they have insurance in place to protect you and their employees.
Look for Communication
Contractors are also people, so make sure whoever you are looking to work with is willing to listen to your ideas and needs. Are they easy to approach? Are they ready to listen? Any undertaking that involves working on your home is a joint project. It’s your home. A detailed plan should be created together, in collaboration with a contractor.
It’s important that you feel comfortable communicating with your contractor because, even under the best circumstances, “unknowns” can happen with any project. No matter how detailed a plan or contract is, some things will not be clear until work begins and everyone gets to see what the bones of the home really look like. An open line of communication between the homeowner, the contractor, and the foreman on site allows any surprises to be handled with the utmost care and speed.
Understand Expectations
Often a contractor you hire will work with subcontractors, meaning businesses or people who regularly assist with work for the contractor’s company. This is routine, but you want to be sure that any subcontractors are providing the same level of care and respect as any of a company’s full-time employees. It’s probably worthwhile to ask a contractor ahead of time if they subcontract out any portion of their work, so you have the heads up.
You should also expect a detailed contract to be completed prior to starting any home improvement project. A detailed contract, one that spells out all the work to be handled over the course of the project, should be in place before any work begins. The purpose of the contract is to make sure that there are no gray areas surrounding expectations and procedures. A detailed and complete contract makes sure that the homeowner and contractor begin their endeavor together on the same page.
At Cameron Home Improvement Group, Inc., we pride ourselves on our customer service. If you’re considering a project related to your roof, siding, windows, or doors, please contact us and we’ll be happy to walk you through our process and provide a free estimate for your project.