Committing To A Contractor

What to know before the project begins

By Julie Young House and Home Feature Writer

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The New Year is a great time to plan for your future and homeowners looking to build, renovate or remodel their abodes know finding the perfect firm to partner with is a great place to start. Your contractor will oversee your project and ensure it is completed on time, on budget and as efficiently as possible so it is important you choose the best collaborator for the job.

BE OUR GUEST

Greg Kralis with Milestone Construction said when meeting with contractors, homeowners should interview at least three firms and look for people who conduct themselves as if they are guests in your home. First impressions are lasting impressions so homeowners should want a prospective contractor to take his or her shoes off, or place booties on their feet while walking through the home and above all, they should present homeowners with a list of references of previous clients.

“I prefer when contractors have clients versus customers because it usually means they have worked with them more than once and have a good working relationship with them,” he said. “Do not base your impression of a contractor based on reviews that appear online, but rather by the conversations you have with the individuals who are happy to talk about their project and eager to talk about what it was like to work with a particular firm. If you can see the finished project, that’s even better.”

In addition to previous clients, it is also a good idea to try and talk to a firm’s subcontractors to learn how they treat their auxiliary employees. Do they pay on time? Do they micromanage the process or are they a team player? All these things will tell you a lot about the contractor you are considering.

“At the end of the day, you are only as good as your competition,” Kralis said.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

When you find a contractor who is right for you, take the time to hammer out all facets of the project and get it in writing before construction begins. It is important for the homeowner to educate themselves about what all is entailed in the project and get all of their questions answered before stepping back and letting the contractor do what they do best. Kralis said he appreciates homeowners who are involved in their project and who are aware of delays and supply chain issues that are outside of a contractor’s control.

“Once you do your homework and get the process started, then everything will fall into place,” Kralis said. “A good contractor will thank the people who work for him and will welcome your feedback, provided you are not looking over his shoulder.” n

Quick tips for finding your contractor

- Interview at least three firms. - Take note of how they enter your home. - Ask for several references and call them all. Drive by to see their work or ask former clients to show you the project. - Get everything in writing. Let the contractor work their magic.