6 tips for choosing a contractor

There comes a lot of times in life that you need a contractor. When you need house repair, you need a caprenter contractor. When your bowl was clogged, you need a plumber contractor. When you need a repair on your computer, you need a computer technician which is also a contractor.
The most important step in any renovation or repair is finding the right contractor. Choosing the contractor is key to the success of the project, no matter what the project is.
Getting someone who is reliable, honest, and skilled can spare you from remodeling nightmares. Here’s how you can choose the best contractor for your job.

Get references. Ask for a list of recent customers from your prospect contractors, then call them and find out if they were satisfied with the work done to them.

Get second opinions. Ask your friends and relatives if they can refer you to a reliable contractor. You can also ask the people in your organization or community for some recommendations. You can also search for the internet for some reviews done by people who had experience of their work.

Don’t go by price alone. One of the big mistakes people make in choosing their contractor is simply by price. The cheaper the price, the more it appeals to them. Get at least three estimates or quotes in writing for comparison. These should include all the materials, labor, and verbal promises people made. Be suspicious if someone offers to do the job for much less than the other estimates.

Learn the signs of fraud: Beware of contractors who:

• Go door-to-door looking for customers or drive an unmarked van in your place
• Ask you to pay the entire cost of a job upfront
• Encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs
• You can only reach through a limited number of options like answering machine
• Quote you a price that’s vastly different from other contractor’s estimates
• Make outrageous promises and pressure you for a quick decision

When you are ready to sign for a contract, make sure it includes all work details, warranties, time schedule, the quality of building or repair materials, and costs. Fill in all the blanks in the contract. Never leave empty spaces.