When you need to hire a professional, you want to make sure that they’re qualified to do the work, and that you can trust them to do it safely and legally. Doctors and dentists, lawyers and pilots all go through lengthy education, testing, and licensing processes before they receive their hard-earned credentials from reputable institutions. They have the documents to back up their education and experience, which sometimes makes it a little bit easier to hire a professional with confidence. Even real estate agents have their own ways of proving their professional credentials through licensing, continuing education, and certifications!
What about home improvement contractors? While there are rules and regulations that define things like building codes, there’s no universally accepted standard of what makes a good contractor. Just about anyone can go down to the local hardware store and buy a hammer and some nails- but that hardly makes them a competent carpenter. Your home is important and valuable to you, so protect it by finding contractors that you can rely on to do the right thing- and you might just find out that you’ve even saved money by working with a real pro!
Here are Some Tips:
- Is your contractor a full-time business, or is this a part time job on the side? While smaller projects might be within the scope of experience of even a relatively beginner part time contractor, larger projects require much more skill, equipment, and experience to be completed correctly. Hiring a part-time handyman to fix a sticky door or window is okay. You’ll want to hire a full-time contractor with a team of employees for a kitchen remodel.
- Ask about licenses and credentials. Some contractors will have paperwork to authenticate their capabilities. Trade associations and unions will often be the source for this information. Also ask about insurance- another sign that a contractor is operating as a business, with some legal protection in case something goes wrong.
- Check online reviews before even calling a contractor. You can learn a lot from both positive and negative reviews. Avoid contractors with repeated negative reviews, but also understand that people are more naturally inclined to leave a bad review after a bad experience, than they are a good review after receiving a satisfactory experience. One place to check is the Better Business Bureau but also check the licensing authority in your state. For Pennsylvania, verify a professional’s license or check the Home Improvement Consumer Information provided by the PA Office of Attorney General.
- Ask for References, and be sure to reach out and ask questions.
- Ask for a project portfolio. Many contractors, especially those who work on high-end projects, will often have a portfolio of their recent work, so you can get an idea of what to expect.
- Always look for a contractor with good communication- responds quickly, is available when you need to talk, and answers your questions.
Finding a good contractor might feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but understand that it’s easier than ever to find local businesses who offer the services you need, and can often find reviews for them while searching. Finding a full time professional with the experience, equipment, and manpower necessary to complete your task can be simple if you keep this advice in mind. Good luck.
