4 Steps to Hiring a Great Contractor
By Canyon Lake on April 19, 2017
The definition of integrity is living by moral and ethical principles; having sound moral character and being honest, trustworthy, reliable and honorable.
The question is how can you ensure that you are hiring someone with integrity to build your project? Finding a contractor with integrity is like finding a good employee. You must do your homework.
- First, Take the time to meet the person in charge. Get to know them and ask questions about projects they have done in the past.
- Second, ask for references. Call on a few references to learn a little more about how the contractor works with clients.
- Third, do your research. Be sure your contractor is licensed, bonded and insured. Search on the Registrar of Contractors to be sure your contractor is in good standing with licensing and there are no outstanding complaints against the company. Find out how many years the company has been in business. Check the company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau. Google the company to see if there are any remarks; positive or negative. Check out the company’s website to get a feel for what type of work the company has done.
- Last but certainly not least, use your intuition or “gut feeling” as a guide. It is certainly an encouraging sign if you feel positive, confident and excited about your project after meeting with the contractor. Never hire a contractor that you don’t like or feel you can trust. Remember, this person/company will be in your life for a fair amount of time so hire someone you like.
Once you have made your decision and finalized a work schedule and price, be sure to get a signed agreement outlining the project and the payment schedule so there are no surprises in the end. Finally, be patient and remind yourself that you will have a beautiful project once it’s finished!