10 Tips To Find The Right Contractor

The internet is a magical thing. Within seconds, you can find millions of suggestions for contractors that claim to be the best in the biz at what they do. But, how can millions of contractors all claim to be the best? Something doesn’t quite add up here... And so then you’re left wondering how you’re ever going to find someone to get the job done. And choosing the right renovation contractor is crucial to ensure the success of your project. 

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We’ve gathered ten super valuable tips that will help you next time you’re looking for a contractor.

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Research your contractor’s ratings and reviews

This one is shouldn’t come as a surprise. When you’re about to embark on a home renovation project, it's super important that you find a reputable and trustworthy contractor to ensure that the project is not only completed (yes, we said completed, you wouldn’t believe the amount of contractors that leave 20% of a project incomplete), but also completed to your satisfaction. One way to find a reliable contractor is by checking ratings and reviews on various online platforms. For example, Google reviews are fairly common and widely recognized. It allows you to read reviews from previous customers, and some may even upload photos. Additionally, there are renovation-specific platforms that house contractor reviews as well. 

However, if you’re looking for reliable ratings and reviews, Bidmii is the only platform that offers 100% purchase verified reviews, meaning that all reviews come from customers who have completed projects through the platform. This ensures that the reviews are authentic and trustworthy, which will probably give you a bit more peace of mind when selecting a contractor. Now you don’t need to worry if Billy Bob asked his family and friends to leave fake reviews. Bidmii also offers a variety of other helpful features, such as contractor matching, project planning tools, and payment management, making it an all-in-one solution for homeowners seeking renovation services. The best part about Bidmii is the payment protection aspect. We hold your money in trust until the project is completed to your satisfaction. No need to worry about stolen deposits and unfinished work.

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Seek out referrals

Like everything in life, word of mouth can be a powerful tool. One of the best ways to find a reputable contractor is by asking friends and family for referrals. Chances are, someone you know has had a positive experience with a contractor and can provide valuable insight into their work.

In addition to seeking referrals from personal connections, you can also ask for recommendations from local hardware stores or home improvement centres. These businesses have often established relationships with contractors in the area, and can provide honest recommendations based on their experience working with them.

Another way to find a contractor is to attend home shows and/or industry events. These events are filled with vendors, giving you a chance to meet with multiple different contractors to discuss what you’re looking to get done and find the best fit for you and your project. When chatting with the contractors, be sure to ask specific questions about the contractor's work, communication style, and pricing. Each homeowner is different, so it’s important that regardless of if it’s a referral or not, you find someone that’s going to work for you. 

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Check the contractor's credentials

You probably want a credible contractor, right? Well, here are some steps you can take to check a contractor's credentials:

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Verify that the contractor is licensed:

Check with your local licensing board to see if the contractor has a valid licence. This ensures that the contractor has met the necessary qualifications and training to perform the work.

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Ask for proof of insurance:

The contractor you hire should have liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. This protects you from any potential damages or injuries that may occur during the project. Don't be afraid to ask for proof of insurance before signing a contract.

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Check for certifications:

Depending on the type of work you need done, certain certifications may be required. For example, if you need electrical work done, you'll want to ensure that the contractor is a certified electrician.

These credentials are critical. It’s just another part of doing your due diligence. Don’t glaze over this step, because seriously, doing so could cost you big. 

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Check their experience

When you’re hiring a new senior employee at work, you’re not going to hire someone who’s got no experience, right? The same is true for renovations (well, it’s maybe even more important), experience is key. Here’s how you can do this:  

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Ask how long they have been in business:

A contractor who has been in business for several years is likely to have a track record of successful projects and satisfied customers.

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Inquire about similar projects:

Ask the contractor if they have completed similar projects in the past. If you're planning a kitchen renovation, for example, it's important to find a contractor who has experience with kitchen remodels. They'll be familiar with the unique challenges and considerations involved in your project.

Pay careful attention to how contractors answer these questions. It’s always a waving green flag if the contractor suggests contingencies (shows that they have likely completed a project like that before). 

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Look for specialized contractors

Have a specialty project? Then find a specialist. Things to look for and reasons why this is important:

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Expertise:

Specialized contractors, like electricians for example, have the training and expertise needed to complete specific tasks. An electrician would understand the intricacies of electrical systems and can diagnose and repair problems quickly and efficiently, whereas a general handyman might now.

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Safety:

If we’re staying on the topic of electricians, electrical work can be dangerous if not handled properly. These specialists have the knowledge to ensure that the work is done safely and up to code. They'll also know how to handle any unexpected issues that may arise during the project.

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Efficiency:

There’s also the whole time thing. Someone who specializes on one field has likely done those projects hundreds of times, and therefore can complete projects more quickly and efficiently than general contractors. And even if a general contractor CAN complete the project faster, that isn’t necessarily such a good thing…

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Quality:

Specialized contractors take pride in their work and are often more focused on delivering high-quality results. Their reputations typically ride on this sort of stuff. With home renovations being a pretty saturated market, it’s important that contractors do their best to win some awesome reviews from clients. 

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Get multiple quotes

Don’t land on the first person you chat with, it is essential that you gather as many quotes as you can to help you find the right contractor for your home renovation project. Here are some reasons why:

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Comparison shopping:

Getting quotes from multiple contractors allows you to compare prices and find the best deal. Some contractors may take advantage of unknowing homeowners and charge through the roof, so find quotes from multiple sources, and chat with friends or family to see what sort of prices they paid if they’ve had a similar project completed. 

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Scope of work:

Quotes will also provide you can with a better idea of the scope of work involved in your project. Different contractors may have different ideas about how to approach the project, this can help you better understand the range of possibilities, ultimately helping you to decide which approach is best for you.

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Contractor experience:

We’ve mentioned this before, but experience is absolutely critical when renovating your home, and getting multiple quotes also allows you to compare the experience and credentials of different contractors. Receiving quotes provides you with a great opportunity to ask the questions you need to - what insurance do they have? How many years of experience have they got in the field? What does their licensing look like? How they respond will tell you a lot about their professionalism and communication style.

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Negotiation:

Some people don’t know this, but it’s pretty easy to negotiate a price when you have other quotes to compare it to. Let’s say you’ve found an awesome guy who checks all the boxes except for one – he’s charging you a couple thousand more than the other guys, ask if they’re open to lowering their price. It’s common that experienced and well-liked contractors inflate their prices, so their is likely wiggle room to find something that works for you. 

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When gathering the quotes, be absolutely sure that you provide each contractor with the same scope of work and materials so that you can compare apples to apples. And make sure that you ask for a detailed breakdown of the costs so that you can understand exactly what you're paying for. There’s nothing helpful about seeing “Kitchen Renovation — $xxx,xxx.”

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Check their availability

If you’ve got deadlines to meet, then it’s important to chat with your contractor about their availability well before you sign a contract. It’s super common to find an amazing renovation specialistfor that is booking months out. This obviously isn’t an issue if you’re not in a rush, but if you’re trying to get things done quickly, this will cause some issues. 

If your project is more seasonal, perhaps a new fence or pool opening, it’s good to start planning these sorts of projects in advance, or at least put them on your radar early. Specialized contractors that focus on something like outdoor landscaping projects will book quickly, and you can’t start them in the winter, so… don’t be lazy! Lots of projects are weather dependent as well, so it’s always good to consult a contractor about how the elements may interfere with the project. 

Above all, it’s good to take on a degree of flexibility. Some contractors can be in high demand, and their availability may be limited. Know that there may be a chance you’ll need to be flexible with your timeline and expectations. If you’re firm about your plans, then maybe it’s necessary to start shopping for contractors elsewhere. Regardless, we’ve said this a few times already, issues can arise and pop-up in the middle of a project causing delays, in these cases, you have no option BUT to be flexible. So start to wrap your head around that one now if it’s something you typically struggle with. This is also why it’s so important to establish open communication with your contractor early on.

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Ask for references

Ratings, reviews, and personal referrals not enough? Ask the contractor for a list of references – clients you can call or email that will give you an honest testimonial about their experience with that contractor. You’ll be able to ask specific questions about the details of your project to see if it aligns with some of the work they’ve previously done. However, be sure to make sure the references are recent. Sometimes as contractors get busier, their quality can deteriorate a little bit… or maybe the design styles are slightly outdated from older references which may impact your decision making.  

Keep your interactions with the references vague and open-ended. Give the reference a chance to speak candidly about their experience, surely you’ll get a more complete picture about what you can expect from the contractor. 

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Have a detailed contract

Work with the contractor to execute a detailed contract. Outline ALL the specifics of the project so that you can ensure both you and the contractor are on the same page. Misalignment can cause a lot of tension in a project between homeowners and contractors. And tension can be unmotivating for a contractor, incentivizing them to make shortcuts, no-show, and just make your life less than ideal. Some of the details you should outline include: 

• Scope of the work: what work is being performed? 
• Timeline: start and end date. Key dates and/or dates where specialists may need to step in and get involved. 
• Materials: materials needed and/or provided by the contractor
• Costs: additional costs (if any)
• Names of the parties involved: who are the contractors and the subs that will be on site
• Contingency plans: need we say more about contingencies?
• Payment schedule: when will you be paying the contractor? How regularly? How are payments to be made?
• Warranties: any warranties or guarantees included?
• Dispute resolution: What happens if plans go awry? Who is held responsible for those issues? Who will step into resolve these issues?

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On Bidmii, contractors are able to create stage-based projects where homeowners can pay for a project incrementally. One stage might be demolition, so the homeowner can pay for demolition first. Once that’s complete, they can move on to the next stage which might be roughing-in walls, and so on and so forth. 
Bidmii also offers homeowners a buy now, pay later option called Get It Done, Pay Later. This is a financing option that makes larger projects more accessible to a wider audience. Projects up to $30,000 are eligible to qualify for these financing options.

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Trust your instincts

Surely you’ve heard the saying “go with your gut,” the same is true here. If something seems off or you're not entirely comfortable with a contractor, it's best to find someone else. 

Pay super close attention to red flags: If a contractor is pushy or unwilling to answer your questions, this may be a red flag. Regardless of their reviews and ratings, this likely shows that communication with them in the future will continue to prove impossible. You and the contractor should be on an equal playing field from the very beginning. Strange power dynamics will cause issues. Other warning signs include a lack of references, a lack of experience, or a reluctance to provide a detailed contract.

Sometimes, you may feel the need to ask for clarification. You’re not the expert, so it’s normal for you to not be 100% sure what certain terms and tasks are. Ask the contractor. Maybe what they’re proposing is a way for them to make more money and isn’t entirely necessary. A reputable contractor should be able to provide you with clear and concise answers to your questions.

Of course, if you’re locked into a contract and you start to have second thoughts, then reach out to another contractor or professional for a second opinion. They may be able to provide you with valuable insights and help you make an informed decision. Your current contractor may also check themselves if they know you’ve sought out a second opinion.

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The wrap up

It’s critical that when you’re tackling a project of any size, you’re comfortable and satisfied with who you hire. It can be difficult to find the perfect fit, but it’s not impossible. We definitely recommend trying to find a contractor on Bidmii. We’ve built in a lot of the tips from this article straight into the platform.

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