actor. The first step is to get names from everyone you know. Neighbors and friends share the truth. If you can, go over the previous work of the professionals they mentioned.
When you meet a contractor, watch out if he does anything that is not normal. Also, a professional that demands for all the money before he starts work is a big warning sign. Run. Good contractors get paid after they complete significant portions of a project. Do not trust them either if they will not record every detail on paper. You require a proper contract that actually include dates.
Another ominous indicator is if they tell you you don’t need a license. You almost always require a permit. They are simply trying to save money. And if they come to your door claiming to have leftover supplies from a job nearby, slam it shut. That is a common fraud.
Call their references as well. Something is wrong if previous clients sound bizarre or refuse to respond. Have faith in your gut feeling. Choose another contractor if one makes you feel hurried or uneasy. There are many excellent ones available who will arrive on time, clearly explain things, and leave your home better than they found it. Steer clear of the dubious ones.
Checking previous work probably matters more than people realize when hiring contractors. A lot of problems could probably be avoided just by seeing real past projects first.
Having a professional help you is really important but I personally prefer DIY projects because contractors might sometimes they overcharge for simple projects
People’s preference is totally different but for me I’ll go for DIY all day long… but you can go for contractors also if you have the money and don’t feel like going through stress
This is a very important topic , speaking from experience I didn’t thoroughly vet a renovation company, they made use of cheap products during the renovation I didn’t notice , 6 months latter I had to do the renovation again.
Good advice overall especially checking references and avoiding big upfront payments. The “don’t feel rushed” rule is probably the most important one people ignore.
