What You Should Consider When Hiring Contractors

Hiring contractors isn't necessarily the most exciting thing a homeowner can do, but it is probably one of the most important, at least in terms of getting work that you can be proud of. Not only do you need to be concerned that the company or team you hire can carry out your wishes, but you have to make sure you don't get scammed by the ones for whom ethics are more of a suggestion than a rule. Thankfully, we live in an age where it's harder than ever to hide your dishonest business practices from the public. Before you hire anyone, you would be wise to a bit of digging. Here are some things you may have neglected to think of.

Look at Sample Contacts and Bids

If this is your first time hiring contractors, you may not have any point of comparison. A company can get away with just about anything if a homeowner has no way of knowing whether they are looking at normal practices or not. You don't have to be in the dark regarding these things. There are plenty of resources out there (including sample bids and contracts) you can peruse to make sure the people you're dealing with are on the level.

Communication is Key

Hiring contractors, especially to embark on creative projects such as remodeling your kitchen, isn't about handing over control to someone else. At least, it shouldn't be. Chances are, you have a pretty good idea about what you want to see in a finished project. So don't hire someone who is going to come in, scrap your plans, and start fresh with their own. A good project manager is going to be willing and open to communication with the homeowner and is going to go out of their way to make sure that both of you are on the same page every step of the way.

Proper Permits

Make sure the contractors you hire have the proper permits. It may sound unlikely, but it is not uncommon for a job to get shut down in the middle of the project because the proper permits were not secured. These include building permits, zoning permits, and much more. If you have questions, call your applicable government office and make sure what you're planning to do isn't going to be in violation of one code or another. A good company is going to make sure these things are handled ahead of time, but you can't necessarily trust that all the bases have been covered.