The internet revolution has changed practically every industry. Home improvement wasn't spared either. (In a good sense, that is). Going through your local Yellow Pages book now seems to be quiet outdated. Instead, the internet now offers a multitude of opportunities of finding a contractor to take care of your repair and home improvement needs. First of, there are many online telephone directories which offer generic information such as company name, address, and phone number. Such sites are usually very easy to use and let the user select a detailed field of contractor service that they need. Furthermore, the users may use the ZIP code option and have the site show only the contractors that are located within a certain mileage from their home. While online yellow pages are easy to use, they don't provide any information about the company itself. There are also websites that actually ?pre-screen? contractors, making sure that they are licensed and insured. The ease in this case is that you type in your project details and information and have the site do all the work. The minus is that these sites sell the information you give them to contractors and depending on how many such sales they make, you may end up getting phone calls from more contractors than you wish to talk to. The last, but not least popular methods of finding contractors are contractor directories. Contractor directories enables contractors to post their own business description, capitalizing on their expertise and users leave feedback on their experience with the contractors, serving as a recommendation or a warning for further dealings with the contractor. All of the above methods are good in some sense. However, it is to the consumers? responsibility to make sure that he/she isn't being serviced by someone who will defraud them or damage their property. After all it's always possible to pay to be included into websites and have multiple accounts to leave yourself a good feedback. If you are looking for a contractor online, make sure to do some due diligence. Go to your local state or city website and check if the contractor indeed has a valid license number. Your local Better Business Bureau should be good places to check if any complains have been filed. Finally, talk to the contractor yourself. Don't be shy about asking for references and do check them out. Discuss your project as detailed as possible. Make sure that you're both agree on a date when the project will be completed and put it in a contract. The reason is that you don't want the contractor to stop working on your project if he gets a more profitable gig. As for the payment, don't pay upfront. Break it up into a few payments, one being a deposit and others should be paid upon completion of certain parts of the project.
Always remember, it's your money and your house. If you're paying someone to work for you, you have to make sure that you're getting your money worth.
The plan is ready. All the details are in set, so far, so good. You have decided you cannot do all, or even any, of the project. You need to hire a contractor. How, then do you pick the right one for the job? If this is not your first project, you know the drill. Merely repeat it or rehire the contractor you had previously employed on other jobs. If they are available or did a good job.
If you are new or need a refresher course on the dos and don'ts consider the following as a brief guide into hiring the right contractor for the job.
The Plan
It is always necessary to know first what you want done. Create the plan before you even attempt hiring. Write it all down so it can be easily circulated and understood. This is not the final draft but will be a work in progress.
The Search
You could look in your local phone book under contractors but there are other ways to go. Word-of-mouth is the most common means of referral. Ask any of your friends, acquaintances or colleagues about any work they have done. Find out how they liked the quality and overall execution of the work.
Check with building material suppliers, building inspectors, insurance agencies, banks, local builders' associations, brokers, real estate agents, architects and the Better business Bureau. This should supply you with names, numbers and varying degrees of references from glowing to non-committal to condemnation.
You now have enough information to make the initial contact.
First Contact
The first contact with a contractor should be over the phone. Explain the basics about your project. Without going into excessive detail explain what it is you want done, the size of the project, the location, a possible time-frame and any essential deadlines as well as a cost range. Find out the contractor's availability and notice any expressed enthusiasm or disparaging remarks. Find out, as well, the certification or licenses possessed and, maybe, obtain a free estimate.
Conducting Interviews
An interview is restricted by a number of factors, including whether any of those contacted want to attend. It is, however, an essential part of finding the right contractor for your project.
The interview should focus on such aspects as availability, the kind of work crew hired, the structure of a contract, the relationship to the all-powerful permit granters ( a bad one can hold up work), and former projects. Check out the contractor's portfolio. Are jobs similar to yours listed? If so, how long ago were they completed? This information will paint you a picture of that particular side of the contractor as well as providing information on references to be contacted later.
The plan should be trotted out. A good contractor will really listen, making astute comments, indicating positive aspects but noting where improvements or changes could or should be made.
If possible find a little about the personal life of the contractor. Emotional turmoil or serious drama on the home-front could complicate or interfere with your project, extending dates and resulting in chaos where there should be order.
Whittling Down the List
After all the interviews are completed, contact the supplied references, see what they have to say. Whenever possible, go to the contractor's past and current work sites to see how it is operated.
Check on their stated qualification to obtain verification and compile a list of pros and cons. From it select the final candidates. Hopefully there will be two or three. From them obtain bids or, at least firm estimates.
Factor this into the total equation of compatibility, competence and price. Only after all this leg work is done should you decide who is the best candidate for your next project.
Both James Olak & Nancy Dean are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
James Olak has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Home Improvement and Payday Loans. James Olak is an owner of , a free contractor directory service.. James Olak's top article generates over 590 views. to your Favourites.
Nancy Dean has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Pets and Cooking Tips. Staying organized is always a challenge after a big home improvement project. For help, visit Get Organized and find and. Nancy Dean's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.