Tips On Hiring A Home Improvement Contractor

What Is A Home Improvement Contractor? A home improvement contractor (also known as residential general contractors) are contractors that specialize in remodeling projects for an individual’s house. These projects range from large, time-consuming projects to short projects. A home improvement contractors’ motto is to provide homeowners with a comfortable living space.

They do this by adding space to an existing room or building a new space. Besides providing space for homeowner’s houses, they also specialize in adding new necessary house items. Companies that provide home improvement contractor services include Nova Exteriors, Home Depot, and Home Makeover Systems (each focuses on different parts of home improvement, which will be talked about more throughout this article).

If you plan on getting a home improvement contractor, there are a few things to know before hiring one. We will talk more about what a home improvement contractor does for your home when you should hire one, and tips before hiring one to do the job.

What Can A Home Improvement Contractor Do?

Home improvement contractor’s job is to give homeowners a nice, sheltered home. They do this by building space by adding a new room or building off from a room that is in the house. Besides this, they also do smaller installing/planning projects which include the following:

• Windows
• Flooring
• Siding
• Landscaping
• Exterior and Interior Painting

Along with the main home improvement contractor are subcontractors, other workers that will help with your home improvement project. Other than doing small or large projects, home improvement contractors come with the right materials or equipment to get the job done. They also keep track of schedules, timelines, and keeping the budgets in check to make sure the project is done on time.

When Should You Get A Home Improvement Contractor?

Since some projects that home improvement contractors do will take time, you will also need more than just one contractor. Let us say, for example, if you wanted to have your kitchen remodeled, you will need an electrician, plumbers, countertop contractors, flooring pros, etc. On average a kitchen remodel takes about 5-6 weeks due to the number of extra workers.

There are, however, three things to keep in mind when you plan on finding a home improvement contractor:

• If your remodeling project will take more than 1 week
• If your project requires more contractors than a home improvement contractor
• If your project requires a lot of permits to get the job done

Another thing to be aware of is fraudulent contractors which we will talk about in the next section.

Tips on Hiring A Home Improvement Contractor:

Before looking for a home improvement contractor, you want to know what to find and to be sure you are not being scammed. How can you tell if a home improvement contractor is a fraud? Here are some of the red flags to be aware of:

• He or she does not have a number in a phone book.
• The contractor asks you for getting the required permits
• They only accept cash
• Says the job will just be a demonstration
• Offers long guarantees

These are some of the red flags, but there are more which you check out here. If you see one of these while finding a home improvement contractor, then it is best advised to find a different one.

Other than checking for suspected fraud, here are some other tips on hiring a home improvement contractor:

• Connecting With Your Contractor: Once you have found a reliable contractor, it is important to communicate with him or her. Tell the contractor your goals and if they have experience relating to your goals. Do this through email, phone, or by texts.
• The Price Reflects The Quality: You want to ask your contractor on how the project should go about. It is important to know the price for your project: if the bid is low, this means that the quality might not be the best option because the contractor will try to cut corners while doing the job like using inferior tools. Make sure the bid is at a medium price.
• Get A Contract: Getting a contract in writing will give important information like time frames, total cost, contractor’s license number, names of parties, project description, etc. This information will help keep your project details in one place.
• Educate on Permits: You need to know the permits that are required to get the job done along with regulations for the project. Along with being familiar with permits, your contractor should be aware of applying for/acquiring permits. If you do not know what permits are required, ask questions to your contractor.
• Prepare For Home Renovation: You can help your contractor by preparing before the project begins. Things to get or to do are selecting colors and finishes, reviewing sample materials, provide space for the contractor and subcontractors, etc.

These are important tips for finding a reliable, reputable contractor. There are also minor tips as well and if you want to read more on how to find one, check the article on Angie List for more info.

Where To Find A Home Improvement Contractor:

Now that you know the basic information on finding a contractor, you might be wondering what are some good sites to go to. Each website that provides home improvement contractors works with different projects for your house. Here is a list of the best:

• Nova Exteriors “Avoid the stress of home improvement chaos”: Nova Exteriors, located in Alexandria, Virginia, is a good service for your home remodeling needs. They have professional remodelers that help with expanding space along with installing windows, sidings, roofing, and doors.
• The Home Depot Services “Home services let us do it for you”: The most popular home improvement store, the Home Depot, also provides contractors that can help with home improvement projects. From the inside to your house to the outside, they provide services for the bathroom along with decor, doors & windows, kitchen, fencing, etc.
• Home Makeover Systems “Serving Central Florida Since 1985”: Home Makeover Systems has contractors that specialize in a lot of home remodeling projects. These projects include water purification, insulation, exterior paint/coating, among other projects.