The critical success factor in any construction project is the contractor. A qualified, professional, experienced contractor knows what results are required for Owner satisfaction, as well as, what will lead to dissatisfaction down the road.
Allow yourself adequate time to sit down with each contractor. Both you and your contractor need to explore the problems, products, and prices. You will be surprised at how many options and questions can be discussed with a professional contractor.
Take the necessary time getting to know and qualify the contractor prior to awarding the project. It can save endless hours of time dealing with headaches from poor installation.
A professional contractor will take pride in his work and will have no problem discussing your options, his previous experience, and his list of satisfied customers.
Make sure that you ask the following 7 questions before selecting the best contractor for your home improvement project…
1. Does the Contractor have a permanent place of business and are they local?
All Contractor Selection Guidelines start with this question because most displeasure involves low-bid undercapitalized contractors. If the contractor is not permanently established, how can you be confident he will complete the work – or will they still be in business tomorrow to handle any problems?
While there is no way to guarantee any business is financially stable, there are some tell-tale signs. Ask the contractor for contact names and numbers to local suppliers that can verify they are in good standings.
Visit the contractor’s place of business. Does it look like it has been established there for a long time?
Do not be swayed by a personable contractor or his attractive low price. It is not worth the risk. Select only a contractor that is financially committed to the business. Select someone you can call if a problem arises in the future.
A professional contractor will have no problem giving you a tour of the facilities and provide whatever documentation is required for your peace of mind. Don’t be timid about asking. Any professional company will respect these questions and know that time is being well spent with an intelligent buyer.