How to Hire the Best Home Contractors

23 Feb How to Hire the Best Home Contractors

How does one differentiate between the average contractor and the best in the business? Construction and renovation are about more than just checking off boxes. There are elements of design and artistry, along with a human element of trust and respect.

When conducting research and weighing your options, focus on finding the most reputable home contractors who also have demonstrated experience with the specific scope of your project. Then make sure that you are on the same page for budgeting and scheduling. An overview of the home contractor selection process:

Research Skills: Vetting Home Contractors

Online reviews and reference lists offer a great start. The absence or presence of glowing recommendations is not enough, though. Ask home contractors if you can contact their references, and consider visiting their completed or in-progress projects to see for yourself.

Read between the lines while researching. Are there positive reviews from projects that are similar to yours? Are there repeated trends throughout negative reviews?

Substance: Make the Interview Count

You should feel comfortable on a personal level with all your home contractors. They will be in your home for days, weeks, or months. Before you hire someone based on a gut decision, however, be sure to ask concrete questions and receive substantial answers. A friendly personality on the phone does not automatically guarantee a great experience.

Write up a list of questions before calling or visiting with any home contractors. Some good points to discuss:

• How will change orders be handled?
• Which tasks are performed by subcontractors, and how do they choose those subcontractors?
• Who will supervise? How many projects does the team have going on simultaneously?

Money Matters: Be Wary of Unusual Payment Plans

Down payments should rarely exceed half of the estimate. Be wary of home contractors who ask for too much upfront, because this decreases their incentive to complete the job on-time and to your satisfaction.

Payment plans should strike a balance that you can feel comfortable with: paying for materials and labor as the project progresses, with payments being made at agreed-upon intervals or benchmarks.

The best home contractors are comfortable with their team’s schedule and quality of work. A reasonable portioning of payments should not be a problem for a high-quality professional.

True Quality: Don’t Just Throw Money at the Situation

People often say you should not accept the lowest bid — but what about the opposite? Are the most expensive home contractors always the best?

Often the skilled talent and labor you want come at a premium. Other times, an experienced team of professionals can do the job more efficiently than anyone else, so their costs are lower.

Keep in mind that higher bids won’t guarantee quality, speed, or a happy result. Make sure to focus on home contractors who can deliver a level of quality commensurate with the cost, whichever price point you choose.

We would love to find out if we are the right home contractors for you. McNeil Construction  specializes in custom homes, historic renovations, and green building. Talk to us today and let us know what you are looking for in a builder.