5 Ways to Find the Best Home Contractor

Your home is an important investment in your life. When you need something replaced or an addition built, you need to make sure you have the best person for the job. Otherwise, you may pay for something that is less than ideal. Before you commit to hiring the first person you meet, take a closer look at what he or she can offer. Here are a few ways you can identify someone who will be ideal for your property.

The Phone Interview
Have a list of questions at the ready when you call a contractor. Things you need to know include: project size limits, previous workload and recommendations from past clients. You don't want to interrogate the contractor, but you do need to know your home is in good hands. You may be missing vital information that could change your mind about a specific individual.

Face to Face Interviews
Don't be afraid to invite your top picks over to meet face-to-face. Essentially, you're the boss and you'll need to conduct a kind of interview before picking the right candidate. You can tell a lot about a professional that takes care of his or her appearance.

Background Checks
You don't have to go into an extensive background check for the prospective contractor. However, it may not hurt to check with the your local consumer protection agency to ensure he or she doesn't have open disputes. A lot of homeowners will take to social media and ask for references regarding an individual or company. Former clients are often the best for this kind of research.

Bidding
Keep in mind that the lowest bid doesn't necessarily mean quality work. Weigh the bid amount with the past experiences of others before making your decision to hire a contractor. This is also a great time to make sure that the bill isn't going to be padded with unnecessary additions or extra renovations.

Discuss Payments
Some contractors can do the work without monies up front. Unfortunately, not every project can be handled this way. If you have additions, appliances or other materials that need to be used, these will need to be purchased before the project can be completed. Discuss a logical payment plan with the contractor. You don't want to give all the money on day one. This will protect you from losing your investment.

Many home improvement contractors have specific areas of expertise. For instance, you wouldn't call a plumber to repair your roof. When you contact a professional, make sure they offer services ideal for your situation. It may save you money, time and a great deal of aggravation later on.