Hiring Contractors - The 5 Things You Have to Think About First

Contractors can make or break any project. The right professional can easily help the project to go smoothly, come in under or at budget and even on time. However, many people do not take the time necessary to find a true professional and that is where problems begin to occur. For even smaller projects, you will want to ensure the person you hire to do the job can do it and do it well.

Are They Right for the Job?

Contractors come in all forms. Before you hire any professional for your project, know who they are and why they are the best person or business for the job. The following tips can help you to choose a professional you can count on.

- The best recommendations come from family and friends you trust. You need to know that the professional has the best skills and ethics. The only way to know that is to talk to others who have used the professional in the past.

- Talk to a local building inspector. These individuals encounter contractors most frequently. Learn about those who adhere to codes and who do a good job and those you may want to stay away from overall. You can ask these professionals for recommendations.

- Host a phone interview. Talk to the professional about his or her experience and training. Discuss if the company takes projects your size. Ask about previous clients and references.

- Pick a few professionals to meet with in person. Discuss the project and what the professional can offer. Ask about building permits (you want to hear the company say that you will need to get them.) Determine the timeline. Ask for suggestions. Do you agree with what the contractor has to say?

- For larger projects, you can and should make plans and then get bids for them. The goal here is to understand what the company has to offer, what skills or resources they can bring to the table and who can offer the best price for the project. All of this matters in nearly every situation.

- Make sure a contrast is a part of the plan. You want to ensure that everything from the cost to the timeline is discussed fully in the contract.

Go with your gut when it comes to choosing contractors at this point. The underlying goal is to choose someone that can do the job and do it well. However, by going through a process like this, you reduce your risks of having an overpriced project become a burden to you financially. The right professional for the job is the one that you feel you can trust after talking with more than one.