Hiring A Contractor
Do you want to renovate your Edmonton home, but lack the patience and knowledge? To save time and stress: Ask a contractor for help. Their experience, access to materials, and technical knowledge set them apart as expert home renovators. Many home improvement contractors operate in Edmonton; however, not all of them are true professionals. So take some precautions when hiring a contractor:
- 1) Do your research. Ask around for referrals, your neighbours might know of a professional contractor! When you find someone, make sure they are licenced to work in Edmonton, bonded, and insured.
- 2) Interview potential contractors. Once you have narrowed the list down to a few potential contractors, setup some interviews. Ask questions such as: What is the project cost? Are you doing the work yourself or subcontracting? Do you have any work samples I can see? What other projects have you done that are similar to this?
- 3) Review the contract. It is the contractor’s responsibility to provide you with a written contract detailing the work to be done. Go over the contract carefully it should state: What materials they are using, detailed payment schedule, and what you are obligated to pay for. Consider putting some Terms and Conditions into your contract, such as: times the property is open to them, requirement for them to cleanup at the end of each day etc…
- 4) Remember: You get what you pay for. You may end up with low quality materials, rush jobs, or unreliable workers if you hire a cheap company in an effort to save money. Cheaper is not always better, so always put everything in writing and schedule a walkthrough after the work is completed.
The most important thing to remember is to choose a contractor that you feel comfortable with. Being mindful and confident when hiring a contractor can empower you to make educated decisions and have a smooth home renovation process.
For more great tips and advice, stay tuned to the Edmonton Home Pros real estate blog.
Tags: Edmonton Home Pros, First time home buyers, Tips For Homeowers