Is now the time to get started on that long-awaited DIY house improvement project? Do tasks like tiling a floor or painting a carport seem beyond your abilities now? Maybe you don’t feel up to finishing it yourself. You might be pondering where to start looking for a reliable contractor if that’s the case.
There are numerous horror tales about contractors who start work but never return. Worse yet, they may not do a good enough job and end up charging you more to fix the harm than you bargained for. How can you protect yourself from being taken for a financially and mentally draining ride?
Identify the professional you need before you start looking. Will you be present to oversee the operations? In that case, hiring the young man down the street who has set up shop as a handyman might not be wrong. You could also hire a homeless person seeking work if you have the guts. It’s important to remember that you’re an employer when you hire this type of contractor. You may also be assuming legal obligations, depending on the regulations in your jurisdiction. For instance, you could be held liable if that worker is hurt on the job.
You’ll need to be able to read contractor advertisements if you won’t be supervising the work yourself. Yellow pages, newspaper classifieds, online marketplaces like Craigslist, and hardware and home improvement shops are all excellent places to look. (Most hardware stores and shops won’t give you the name of a contractor they’d suggest. They don’t want to take the blame for your performance. However, it is common practice to enable contractors to display business cards. It’s important to remember that the people who post these ads may be too green in the industry and inexperienced in delivering on their claims.
Seek out advertisements that state the advertiser’s years of experience. Locals have probably been pleased with their services if they’ve been around for a while. Verify they have all the necessary credentials, including licenses, bonds, and insurance. It’s crucial to follow up. Call the local authorities to ensure the contractor’s current rights and surety. Request that the contractor provide proof of insurance by having the insurance company email a copy to you. “Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?” is common, but few customers check to ensure it was answered truthfully.
Get in touch with the relevant municipal authorities by making a phone call. The local building authority is more likely to be familiar with the contractor if he or she has been in business for some time. If they haven’t, it’s likely because they don’t have the necessary permits, licenses, bonds, and insurance.
Finding a reliable contractor is much easier when you get recommendations from people you know who have been happy with the job done for them in the past. Most contractors’ references are likely biased to the contractor’s advantage because they chose them. Please don’t put too much stock in them, but investigate further. There are still reliable sources out there. Ask:
o If the task was done successfully.
o Whether or not the worker arrived when he or she was supposed to
o Whether or not the worker notified us that they would be late.
o Whether or not the worker could be reached quickly when problems arose
o The duration of the project
As the client, your top priority is getting the work done promptly. It’s important to remember that many freelancers are self-employed and used to working independently. Having a task appropriately done and accurately may be well worth the minor inconveniences that may arise. But talking things out is essential.
When contractors visit your house to provide an estimate, you gain valuable insight into them. Inquire if this individual will be the one to carry out the task at hand. Who exactly is this individual representing? Is he or she the contractor? Will third parties be brought in to help? Learn who to contact if you, the customer, have any issues or concerns. Also, bear in mind that not all contractors are created equal.
In addition, you can learn a lot about a potential contractor by examining their proposal. How has this contractor typically billed for their services, by the hour, a flat rate for the entire project, or a detailed inventory of materials and labor? Some contractors, like plumbers and electricians, may bill by the hour when repairing something. Since you cannot predict the final price, stipulating a maximum spending limit in advance is in your best interest. You wouldn’t want to hire painters or carpenters on an hourly basis, for example.
A rough estimate is better than nothing, but you should still put everything on paper. It would be best if you didn’t count on anything included unless the worker says so in writing. Without a written contract, you have nothing to back up the contractor’s promises if things go wrong.
An itemized offer simplifies things and gives you more freedom of choice. The contractor’s payment method should be agreed upon and documented between you and the worker. For a project of medium scale (remodeling a kitchen, bathroom, or basement, for example), it is customary to pay the contractor between 25 and 35 percent upfront. If the work is moving forward, payments every week should be scheduled. (including materials, which are generally billed separately). Keep at least $500-$1000 on hand until the project is done. Contractors who demand up-front payment should be avoided at all costs.
Doing your research before hiring a handyman is best to avoid unpleasant surprises. You should put the majority of your savings into your house. Give it the due regard it merits.
Read also: You can find Advantages To Investing In Professional Real Estate.
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