Construction is a risky business, and hiring a contractor to build your new home or remodel an existing property can be even more challenging. You need to find reliable contractors that are aware of the local construction regulations, who have the right permits for their work, and who won’t flaunt safety standards in your face. Unfortunately, finding trustworthy contractors can be difficult at times. Especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer or a renter looking to get your deposit back quickly.
You don’t want to attract the wrong kind of contractors—negativity, shoddy workmanship, and hidden fees—by asking questions about their references and checking them out on Angie’s List before making a final decision. Luckily, there are ways to make sure you’re working with contractors that you can trust. Check out these helpful tips for spotting good-faith contractors and avoiding trouble:
Ask for References & Skills!
One of the first steps to finding a reliable contractor is to ask for references. You want to make sure you’re working with professionals who you can trust to meet your project deadlines and deliver quality work. Ask for references from past clients, co-workers, and suppliers, and make sure you get names, email addresses, and telephone numbers from reliable sources. You don’t have to go out and conduct a ton of interviews—a few phone calls, or an email query works fine. It’s helpful to have a couple of different people contribute to your list of references.
Compare Free Estimates Of Different Contractors!
Another helpful way to find a trustworthy contractor is to compare free estimates from different contractors. This way, you can get a sense of how confident each of them is about the work they’re offering to do for you, and you can save yourself the trouble of getting all of them on the same page. You can also check out contractors’ websites to find out more about them, like what types of projects they’re involved in, and what kind of work they offer.
Look Into Their Community Outreach Program!
One useful way to get a feel for a contractor’s character is to check out their community outreach program. This is a chance for you to speak with past and current clients, get their feedback on the contractor, and get a feel for their work ethic and communication style. If you’re not sure whether or not to hire a given contractor, look into their community outreach program. This will give you a good indication of whether or not they’re a good fit for your unique project.
Get A Contractors Tax ID!
Last but not least, you’re going to want to get a contractor’s tax ID number before committing to a contractor. This is a requirement for most homebuyers’ tax programs, and it’s also a good idea to get one even if you’re not buying a house. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy of your contractor’s tax identification number on hand, in case you need to use it in the future. Be very aware of what kind of contractor you’re hiring—most allow you to check out their tax ID online, so you can easily make sure that information is current.
