Tips and checklists for hiring a contractor

Well, if you’re in the market for a contractor for your home, this article is for you. In this article, we will explore all you require to enable you to make the right choice when hiring one.

1. Who is a contractor?

A contractor is a person or a company that is contracted to do a job or provide services for someone else. There are many types of contractors, but in general terms, they can be classified into three. Before you hire a contractor, you should know what type will suit the job best.

2. General contractors

A general contractor, as the name implies, is capable of handling the full scope of the project. They can take care of virtually all you will need, regardless of the type of construction. Thus, the activities of planning, execution and necessary purchases can all be done by a general contractor.

3. Sub-contractors

General contractors can handle everything, but that does not mean they do everything. Many times, sub-contractors work for general contractors. They are skilled in specific areas and are able to do specific aspects for general contractors. For instance, if you hired a general contractor for a plumbing project, the general contractor could call on the plumber in their team for that aspect.

4. Specialty contractors

Just like sub-contractors, specialty contractors are specifically skilled in a certain area. However, unlike sub-contractors, they do not work for general contractors. For instance, if you had a simple electrical malfunction in your home, you could easily hire a specialty contractor.

5. What contractor will you need?

The type of contractor you hire largely depends on the type of job that needs to be done. Typically, if your project is of a wide scope, including factors other than execution such as marketing, planning and sales, then a general contractor is a better choice. For specialized aspects of the project, the general contractor can easily call on sub-contractors. However, if the job is of a smaller scope, requiring a quick fix, then a specialty contractor is a good choice.

6. Tips for finding the right contractors

6.1 Explore the market

Before making a choice, it is very important that you explore all possible options. Skim the market, and ensure you compare variables such as price, work ethics, timing amongst others. Variables that are relatively extremely high or low should be explored cautiously.

6.2 Assess their previous work

The contractor’s experience is very important, with five years and above a safe bet. You should also endeavor to check their past work. Are they suitable for the type of job you want done? Do they delay a lot, or do they make mistakes? You can assess their work quality by looking out for references from past customers.

6.3 Take some time to consider all options

You should avoid being in a rush when making the decision on who to hire. Ensure you have spent time considering all options as well as how the necessary variables relate to each other. In emergency cases, consider asking friends, family or colleagues who have employed the services of emergency contractors.

6.4 Check their Insurance

This is very important. You should ensure that the contractor possesses standard insurance by asking for a COI, or a Certificate of Insurance. The COI should contain the insurance company’s name, the policy number and limit. You can also go ahead to contact the insurance company to fully verify the contractor’s COI. Avoid signing a contract with a contractor that does not have proper insurance. This is because you may be held responsible for any mishaps that could occur during the execution of the project.

6.5 Prepare a proper contract

Everything should be properly documented in a contract. The contract should be concise and clear. It is advised to go through the contract with a lawyer for full revision before signing the contract. Here is a short checklist of what the contract should include:

• An analysis of the work to be done as well as the associated costs.
• An outline of the payment plan.
• A description of the project timeline.
• Guarantee description
• Required signatures

6.6 Avoid paying up-front

Be cautious when making payments. Do not pay the entirety of the price before the project’s completion. It is better to pay in checks rather than with cash so as to retain a receipt. It is common to pay a third of the total cost as a down-payment.

6.7 Compile all important files

Storage is an extremely important factor. Ensure that all documents, including the contract, are compiled into a secure file, where they can be accessed with ease.

7. Final words

Hiring a contractor can be confusing, but the process can easily be compiled into this checklist:

• Consider multiple options.
• Assess previous work.
• Check for proper insurance.
• Set up a well written contract.
• Do not pay in full before job completion.

If you have more questions or would like to hire a contractor, please feel free to reach out to us. We assure you that your satisfaction is our priority. We are just a call away!