Finding the right home contractor for jobs you want done around the house can often be like trying to find a decent date. You want someone on time, respectful, clean, honest, and ready to work, right? Contractors are people, and that means you’re apt to find all types of them. Some are more easy to talk with than others. Some have great reputations. Others… not so much.
Ideally, you want to work with a contractor who has a great reputation and is easy to speak with about the job at hand. After all, you’re letting someone (or a team of people) into your home or onto your property, and therefore you want a good working relationship with them. The worst case scenario is when you hire people who barely communicate with you and seem to want to do their own thing with no regard for your input, right?
Communication between the homeowner and the contractor is paramount. That determines how satisfied the homeowner will be, ultimately. Therefore, if you’re looking for a contractor and find one who doesn’t quickly return your calls, emails or texts, and you wish they would, then they’re not your best choice. Also, if you feel intimidated asking a person questions, for whatever reason, then steer clear of them and find someone else to do the job.
Before you hire a contractor, do your research to find out as much information about them as you can. For instance, how long have they been in business? Are there prior customers you can call or talk with in person to find out details regarding what they thought of their work? What’s the contractor’s credentials? Why are they worth hiring?
Some people get nervous when they find out the work to be done is going to cost them more than they expected to pay. However, price does reflect quality, and you don’t want a contractor that cuts corners and causes you major headaches in the long run.
When talking with potential contractors, it makes sense to get things in writing. This means there should be a paper trail of what they “can do” for you, with pricing attached to the various services. A good contractor will share with you detailed time frames indicating when the work will be completed, as well as the total cost. Don’t be afraid to discuss your budget issues with a contractor. They may be able to adjust some things to work with you on getting the project done at the price you can afford. For instance, there could be some aspects of the project you could do yourself to prepare your place for their work to be done such as cleaning and painting– and by doing some things yourself, that can cut the overall cost.
It doesn’t hurt to do some research regarding the home improvements you’d like done in order to find out what kind of materials are used, how many hours the tasks take, and what the “going rate” is for contractor services in your area. Keep in mind that home improvement projects can also lead to the discovery of other things that need to be done to your house or property, which may require more work and more money.
In the Tallahassee area, consider hiring Reynolds Home Builders for your home improvement needs. Reynolds Home Builders is known for home additions, home remodels, and building custom homes. For more information, please call 850-508-5076 or email info@reynoldshb.com today.