There are many reasons why you might need a contractor. Maybe you’re building an addition to your home, renovating your kitchen, or repairing damage from a flood
There are many reasons why you might need a contractor. Maybe you’re building an addition to your home, renovating your kitchen, or repairing damage from a flood. Whatever the case may be, before deciding to hire a contractor it’s important that you ask some questions first. Here are some of the most important questions you should ask potential contractors:
What is your work ethic?
The next question you should ask a contractor is, “What is your work ethic?” You want someone who takes pride in their work and takes the time to do it right.
A good contractor will have a strong work ethic, showing up on time and ready to go every day of the week. They’ll also be willing to start early if necessary (for example, if you need something done before an event or party). You don’t want someone who shows up late or skips days off because they’re feeling lazy–that kind of person won’t make sure that everything gets done when promised.
Another thing to consider when asking about a contractor’s work ethic is whether or not they have any certifications for particular trades like plumbing or electrical wiring/installation; these are important things for any homeowner considering hiring someone from these fields since they can help ensure quality results even if there are problems down the road due their specific knowledge base
Do you have any references I can call?
You should ask for references. You can call them to see how happy the contractor’s former clients are, or you can check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the company. If there are no complaints in either place, this is a good sign that the contractor is trustworthy and dependable.
If your potential contractor has a list of previous clients available, ask to see it–and then call those people! It’s always best to talk directly with someone who has hired a particular contractor before; they’ll be able to tell you what kind of experience they had working with him or her on their home improvement project(s).
Have you ever worked on a project like mine?
- Are you familiar with the type of work I’m looking to have done?
- How many projects like mine have you worked on in the past?
- What types of projects do you typically undertake?
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
- Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
Check with your state’s licensing board to see if they are licensed.
Check with your state’s bonding board to see if they are bonded.
Check with your state’s insurance board to see if they are insured. You can also check out the Better Business Bureau or look up their business information online, as well as ask friends who’ve used them before (but don’t just rely on this–make sure to do some research on your own). Additionally, contact your local government office; many municipalities require contractors working within their jurisdiction to register with them and pay an annual fee in order for them (or anyone) not only be able to perform work but also keep up-to-date records about who has performed which services so that people know who did what when something goes wrong later down the line!
Will you be responsible for cleanup and disposal of materials after the job is done?
It’s important to ask the contractor what their responsibility is when it comes to cleanup and disposal of materials. It should be the contractor’s responsibility to remove any waste or trash left behind after they finish working on your property.
The contractor should also be responsible for disposing of all materials used during construction, such as wood, drywall, and other building materials.
How do you handle unexpected repairs or changes to the original contract?
- How do you handle unexpected repairs or changes to the original contract?
- If an unexpected repair is needed, the contractor should be able to provide a detailed estimate. He or she should also provide references and warranty information. This is important because it shows that they have experience doing this type of work and know what they’re doing.
- Do they have any complaints against them with the Better Business Bureau? If so, why did they get those complaints?
There are many things you should know before hiring a contractor
When you’re considering hiring a contractor, there are many things that you should know before signing any contracts. You want to make sure they are qualified and have experience with the type of job you need done. Ask them about their references, licensing, bonding and insurance coverage. Also ask about how they would handle unexpected repairs or changes to the original contract.
Conclusion
The best way to find out if a contractor is right for you is by asking questions. You should always feel comfortable asking about their work ethic, references and insurance coverage. If something goes wrong on the job site, then you want someone who will take responsibility for it rather than blame others or try to pass off responsibility onto others like yourself.
