10 Steps To Get Your Best Contractor Ever

Are you dubious about the construction industry? Perhaps you’ve heard of rogue contractors scamming people out of their money… This happens every day, and it can be difficult to know how to ensure you get the best possible experience for your project.

Since we don’t often carry out big construction jobs, there is often no set procedure to follow, leaving us feeling confused, overwhelmed and vulnerable. The perfect position to be in for someone to take advantage.

To avoid this, arm yourself with the best information! Start here, and follow these steps to ensure you find the right contractor for you.

Decide what you want

The first thing you need to do is to have a long, hard think about all of your expectations and desires for the construction project you want undertaking. Do you want a new kitchen to inspire you to cook more? Or perhaps a patio area in your garden, so you can enjoy the outdoors more!

It is extremely important to consider all of these things before you even start looking for tradesman, because if your ideas are set in stone before you begin, you will be less likely to be convinced by persuasive sales techniques.

Take your time

As you embark on the process of considering exactly what outcomes you want for your job, make sure to take lots of time. This applies to the entire project but is especially important before you contact anyone.

After sending out your information, you may find yourself receiving plenty of emails with offers and information that could sway you to get something you don’t want or need. Make sure to take as much time as you need to decide what exactly it is you want, who you want to do the job and when.

What can you DIY?

It may be of financial benefit for you to see if there are any little jobs you can do yourself – if you are capable of doing the job, you could save money! This may also avoid frustration down the line since if you see your tradesman doing something you could have done yourself (and that you are paying them to do) you may kick yourself for not attempting to do it. Getting your own supplies from places such as B&Q, can help you with these small DIY jobs.

Of course, you will have to discuss what you can and cannot do yourself with the person you hire – they have the expertise and experience to know that you simply cannot install replacement uPVC windows yourself, but that you could do some grouting for them, for instance. Ask your contractor for advice, reliable ones will be happy to offer some of their expertise to you!

Do your research

Before you commence your project, do lots of research into the materials that will be used, what kinds of tools are needed, etc. If you are in the dark about how the job is actually carried out, contractors will have more of an opportunity to pull wool over your eyes about the true costs and potentially charge you too much.

Avoid this by watching videos, reading articles and asking your friends and neighbours what similar jobs looked like in their houses. You don’t want any surprises so do your research!

 Get multiple quotes

As part of your research, compare lots and lots of quotes! The more data points you have to compare, the better you will be able to determine what the real price is for the job you need doing.

If you get multiple similar quotes and a couple of outliers, it could be worth talking to the super cheap or super expensive quote-givers to ask why their price varies so much from the industry average. There may be good reason for this! Don’t discount the outliers but probe them for more and better information.

Compare them carefully

Aside from determining the average price for your area and the project you need finishing, you want to look at other variants between contractors. Where are they based? Do they charge extra for travel? What kinds of qualifications do they have for this kind of job? What are they experts in? You may not have to directly ask the contractor but can find this information online. All of these questions are important to determine which tradesman will be the right one for you. Get references where possible.

Ask lots of questions

Other than the questions mentioned above, there are other considerations you may have forgotten since at this point, you could be getting swept up in the fun! Ask your tradesman how long they’ve been in the business. How long does this type of project take for them, on average? Do they have any examples of recent work? What kind of guarantees do they offer? Do they allow for a cooling off period? If they tried to pressure you into signing on the day they come and speak to you, they may not have your best interests at heart.

Get a detailed plan

In conjunction with this question-asking phase, try to get the most detailed plan you can from your prospective contractor, so you know exactly what to expect from them. Ask them when they will be doing each job and how long they tend to take. Ask them about the whole process from beginning to end – and beyond! Some companies offer services post-installation, and others do not. Make sure you know exactly what is included in the price.

Have a cooling-off period

This is an extremely important step in the process of choosing a contractor. It is so exciting and energizing to imagine your new extension and to have in your mind’s eye the beautiful light that will stream through your new bay windows, that you may get carried away without even knowing it. Avoid stress down the line by taking a few days to a week to truly mull over the proposition and plan put to you by your tradesman. Is it truly what you wanted to begin with? Will you be able to afford it comfortably?

Maintain your relationship

If you’ve developed a relationship with your contractor (and by this point, you probably should have), you want to ensure you maintain this relationship with them through regular contact and then supporting them while they work. Whether this means giving feedback or offering drinks and small meals while they work, anything to help them will help the job to get done smoothly.

If you are kind and respectful towards them, it will be more likely that they treat you the same way in return. This is true for many relationships, but in a professional relationship such as this, it may take some careful consideration and effort since it does not always come naturally.

For more help and advice on choosing the right contractor for you, please see www.aaaconcreting.com