If you’re thinking about having work done on your home in Raleigh, you know that choosing the right contractor is crucial. Home repairs and renovations are rarely cheap, and if your contractor lacks the competence to do the work correctly, you may need to take legal action. In order to help homeowners find a suitable contractor for their improvement projects, U.S. News & World Report offers the following advice.
Plan the Project
Maybe you’re unhappy with your kitchen décor or feel that your home needs another bathroom. No matter what type of work you’d like done, have your ideas in place before you contact a contractor. Even put some thought into the type of materials you’d like to use, as this will play a role in devising an estimate. The more accurate the estimate is, the less likely that you’ll find fault with the finalized bill.
Look for References
Start by asking friends, family, and co-workers for their insight on local construction companies. If you can’t find any information this way, do a search online. You can access reviews from a number of sites, as well as find out if there are any claims against a contractor. While online reviews can be useful, it’s best to take the information with a grain of salt.
Choose Three Contractors
Try to find at least three potential contractors and schedule consultations with all. This is a great time to ask as many questions as possible, such as whether they are licensed and how long the job will take. You should also ask for a written bid during the consultation. Be sure to provide the same information to each so you’re getting a legitimate comparison. Watch out for ultra-low bids, as these could be a ploy to get you to accept subpar work.
