Hiring a contractor is possibly the most important step in any home improvement project, followed by the necessity of a proper contract. The first step in hiring a contractor is to decide what type of contractor is necessary for the work you want done. Hiring a contractor is like hiring any other professional. For most people, the mere thought of hiring a contractor is enough to induce nightmares of epic proportions--crazed contractors showing up late, leaving early, and offering shoddy workmanship at best, all to the tune of some figure that's 10 times what was originally promised.
Hiring a contractor is normally by word a mouth which is definitely the best recommended way. Hiring a contractor is a critical step in a successful home improvement project. One of the biggest problems with hiring a contractor is that you do not know if they are capable of doing the job. Hiring a contractor is very similar to hiring an employee.
Hiring a contractor is a long and detailed process, but the most important things to remember when hiring a contractor is your common sense. It's like hiring a new employee, do your homework and do more than just pick one out of the Yellow Pages.
According to nationally noted contractor and consumer advocate William Morsen, the best defense for consumers who are considering hiring a contractor is to become educated about various aspects of building and take an active part in planning their Contractor projects. An excellent way to go about hiring a contractor is to obtain a referral from some friends who have had work performed.
The main negative of hiring a contractor is that there are many bad contractors who will abandon the final few items in the check-off list in exchange for giving up the nominal holdback amount stated in the contract. Any good residential contractor will have suggestions and ideas (one advantage of hiring a contractor is access to their experience) but in the end you need to be the final word. The best route in hiring a contractor is to find out what their customers think of their work and their service.
Contractors charge for changes to the written plans, particularly if more work or more expensive materials are required. Contractors in all trades have a reputation. Contractors can work on a specific project or for a period at a specific budget. Contractors generally ask for about 15 to 30 percent upon signing the contract, then partial payments as each successive stage of work is completed.
Hiring a contractor for such projects might sound easy, but the contractor has to be hired with discretion and good judgment to achieve the best results. Hiring someone who would have the right amount of time to devote to your project is also crucial, because sometimes hiring an extra-busy contractor can turn out to be a mistake. Hiring an uninsured contractor is hiring an irresponsible contractor. Hiring unlicensed contractors is simply risky to say the least.
Without a doubt, hiring a contractor is the part of home remodeling that causes more fear and anxiety than any other phase. The contractor is responsible for managing all aspects of the job including purchasing the materials and hiring the sub-contractors (subs). Most property owners will also conclude that they will, in the long run, save time and money by hiring a professional to do the work.
Hiring a contractor can be tricky if you don't already know one or have friends or relatives who can recommend one. Ask for references when hiring a contractor and check them all out. When hiring a contractor you can look in the Yellow Pages if you don't have any recommendations. During the pre-hiring phase, be sure that this contractor is completely legal and has the necessary paperwork.
