Picking a quality contractor can make the difference between a job well done and a total remodeling nightmare.
The overwhelming majority of home improvement contractors in Joplin are trustworthy and hardworking, but there will always be those who are ready to take your money for less-than-perfect work. So how do you find a construction contractor you can trust?
Our remodeling professionals give you tips to navigate your search for the right residential contractor below.
1. Price Reflects Quality
Let’s get something straight: if you choose a contractor just by who has the lowest price, you’re going to be sorely mistaken. The lowest bid is not always the best. Understand that price reflects quality, and always request a written description of the materials necessary for the job.
2. Check a Contractor’s Track Record
These days, it’s easy to find reviews, credentials, licenses, and a portfolio of a contractor’s work online. Before you hire a contractor, be sure you understand their qualifications, including any certifications they have from national trade organizations. Check to see what their Yelp, Google, or Facebook reviews look like online, and check their website for an updated portfolio of their work.
3. Talk Boundaries and Ground Rules Before Construction Begins
This is your home. That means you are allowed to negotiate ground rules. Discuss what hours the contractor can work at your home, what kind of notice you’ll get, what bathroom the workers will use and what will be cleaned up at the end of every workday.
4. Get an Itemized Big
Every contractor you interview should provide you with an itemized bid. This is a bid that lists, item by item, everything you’ll be paying for. It should include:
- All labor costs (including estimated subcontractor costs, if your project calls for them)
- All materials (including specifics such as paint, drywall, and light fixtures)
- All permit fees
- Any other expenses, such as travel fees the contractor expects to bill for
An itemized bid gives you honest and upfront information and will help keep your contractor accountable.
It’s scary enough to shell out thousands of dollars or more for a home improvement project, and it’s even scarier when you don’t fully trust the person responsible for completing the work.
Finding a great contractor takes time and research, but it’s well worth the effort. Dealing with someone who’s professional, experienced, and trustworthy, will relieve a lot of stress in an already stressful situation and ensure that you get what you’re paying for. If you are searching for the best home remodel contractor in Joplin MO, Pittsburg MO, Carthage MO, Neosho MO, and Baxter Springs KS, please contact Prater Construction today.