Before you sign on a contractor to trust with your dream and your budget, you’ll want to ensure you have the right partner for the job. Here are some things to consider before committing to one company.
Ask Around
Get recommendations from friends and family who have a trusted company.
Hire Local
Choosing a company close to home will make it easier to schedule visits for estimates, the build, and small follow-up jobs afterwards. A local company likely knows the local building codes inside and out. Working with someone in your community also decreases the odds that you will get scammed.
Check References
Do they have clients who rave about their past work? If so, you’ll feel better about trusting them with yours. Feel free to ask for references for jobs similar to yours in scope and with specific materials, focusing on customer service, workmanship and quality of materials.
Seek Out Estimates
One of the best ways to scope out a company is to see how their bids compare to other bidders. Seeing how thoroughly they prepare an estimate will give you a sense of how they will tackle the job. Compare the cost of building materials, timeframes and how they will do the job to choose fairly.
Take Your Time
Don’t feel pressured to decide or to provide a deposit of more than 10 percent at the outset. Read all estimates and contracts carefully before signing.
Make Sure They Are Insured
Things go wrong and you want to be protected if they do. Ask for a certificate of insurance and what it covers, including damage to your home. You’ll also want to check for workers’ compensation coverage for employees and that anyone coming onto your property is bonded.
Get Everything On Paper
A good contractor will provide timelines, payments schedules, a thorough description and guarantees, without hesitation. Confirm who is getting building permits and what happens if the contract gets derailed or delayed.
Pay The Company, Not a Person
Any reputable builder will have a business account. If you are asked to provide cash or a cheque to an individual, cancel your plans and go back to another bidder.
