A home renovation is an exciting and huge investment, so you clearly need to be careful about who you hire to work on your home. Choosing great general contractors takes a lot of work, consideration, and time.
It’s not something that you can do in a rush or in the last minute. Going online and choosing the first contractor that you see is probably one of the worst decisions homeowners can do.
Finding the right contractor is a task that you must take seriously if you want to get the perfect home renovation. To do this successfully, you might need to start digging into their history and see exactly what to expect.
Let’s begin.
Tip #1: Pick At Least 3 Contractors
You’ll first want to begin by browsing online for at least three very good contractors that might be able to help you out. You’ll want to check them on the local BBB, their websites, or local directories like Yelp, Nextdoor, Manta, etc.
Once you have at least three contractors on your list, it’s time to dive deep and research them.
You’ll want to look at everything they do, from what drives them to get to work to what their finished projects look like. Some red flags would be:
- No pictures on their website
- Not too many reviews
- Long waiting time to get a response
- A very low pricing quote
- Straight-up unprofessionalism (dirty, unpolite, insincere, not well-behaved)
Tip #2. Ask For References
Your first question after you get through the general discussions should be asking for a reference.
References are very important in the contractor world because they show you what a team has actually accomplished. Ask them for examples of their work, and then pose any follow-up questions that you might have in response.
If you’re skeptical about their work, you can also try to make contact with other homeowners who worked with them. Not everyone will understand, but ask to see the actual space and how their process went.
Note: Make sure the reference is recent, as contractors can go through big changes in their company. Maybe a foreman improved, or maybe they changed their designer. Anything from the last year should be similar to the way they operate now.
No Reference, No-Go
If when you ask for a reference they’re hesitating or they deny your request, huge red flag. They could be hiding something, or they probably don’t have any reference.
References are a very important consideration when partnering with a contractor, and contractors know this.
A good contractor will always be happy to share their successes with you. If they don’t want to offer you any references, there is probably a really good reason for it—or, rather, a bad reason. Avoid anyone who is secretive about what they offer.
Tip #3: Check Their Social Media
Social media is the best place to start your research. Look at their online brand, explore their pages, and see how frequently they engage with their customers. Social media can tell you a lot about modern companies and how they communicate with their prospects.
No social media? That’s the first red flag.
You don’t really want to work with a company that’s impossible to find online. Not just because getting in touch with them will be harder, but this also shows the level of dedication in their company. If they really want to provide their service and make progress in their business, they’d have a strong online presence as well.
Note: You can also check their profile on the Better Business Bureau, or the State’s Contractor Licensing Board. You’ll find important details about their business, but keep in mind that the information on these sites comes from the contractor himself. Social media might be less biased.
Tip #4: Check Their Reviews
Scouring the reviews of your general contractor is a great way to learn what kind of opinion their customers have of them. If you’re looking for a contractor without any bad review, stop. There’s most likely none. And if there is, that would appear shady.
Read through the reviews and see what are customers saying about their work, their team, and the overall remodeling process.
Reviews give us a way to check the pulse on the public opinion of a brand. It allows us to see what kind of experience people have had with them, and people are generally fairly vocal about concerns. Read through to find obvious red flags.
Note: It’s very important to find negative reviews and see how the contractors answers to those. Are they apologetic or defensive? Are they even answering the bad review at all?
Tip #5: Check Their Previous Jobs
Most contractors keep a running collection of previous jobs, and this is another reason that social media is so important. Looking through their previous jobs can tell you a lot about skill level, but it can also tell you whether or not they are going to be a good fit for the design that you want to see.
You’ll most likely find a portfolio on their website, but if not, go back to their social media and look for photos there. Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest are the best places to look for photos of their work.
Tip #6: Build Trust And Put Your Mind At Ease
Talking with a contractor to learn more about what they can offer is a wonderful way to build up trust.
Seeing their work and looking through their references can make you to feel a lot better about what you are walking into. Like we said, this is a huge commitment. You want to enter the process with a team that you can trust. Being thorough will make that possible.
Continue your talks and get to know each other better. You don’t have to choose them from day one. You can test the grounds for several days and see if they are responsive to your needs and if they understand your concerns.
Note: One of the most important things you’ll have to look for in a contractor is the contractor’s insurance. This would be the liability insurance, but also the workers compensation. You’ll very likely find this information on the Better Business Bureau profile, but if not, you can always ask them.
Ask About Their Process
Every contractor has a different process. There is a lot of work that goes into home renovations, and that means that there will be parts of the process that you see and quite a few that you don’t.
Some will work with a detailed contract, others will just come and go from the job site when they please. Needless to say, during your general contractor hiring process, make sure they’re providing a contract.
As a homeowner, you are well within your rights to ask them what the process is—and what you can expect every step of the way. Knowing what you have to look forward to will make for a more seamless process.
Consider what steps are involved in the process. Will they be sending you paperwork? Are they going to schedule a meeting for the discovery phase? You should know what is going on in the process so you can feel comfortable.
Asking for a complete breakdown of the process can help you to stay comfortable and informed. You’ll discover how’s their payment schedule, what does their insurance company covers, what are the building materials, and so on.
Tip #7: Visit Their Showrooms
Visiting a showroom allows you to try out different materials for you remodel so you can get a clear idea of how everything will look like.
Some professionals have a showroom, others will just bring samples to your home so you can decide together which option is the most advantageous for your own space.
Besides a showroom, try and work with a contractor that offers you a 3D rendering of your new space so you can see how everything will turn out like before paying for all the materials and work.
Tip #8: Get Three Different Quotes
Getting multiple pricing quotes from various contractors in California is essential to ensure you’re not being ripped or that you’re not underpaying for a service that might leave you hanging.
The faster you get the pricing quotes and the proposals, the better, as this gives you more time to make a decision in regards to the contractor you’re going to choose.
To find the best contractor in the area, you’ll want to prioritize transparency and communication, as these are what will make your project flow. On the other side, you’ll also want a reasonable price but a high-quality one too. At KHB, that’s exactly what we offer!
Tip #9: Think Your Decision Through
Take some time to decide who do you want to work with. For starters, remember that a low price most often will bring poor work, but also that high prices don’t necessarily mean quality work.
As long as you researched the contractors you’re about to work with, you should have a clear idea on their craftsmanship, how they operate, and what each of them brings to the table.
Sleep on your decision, weight everything in, and just then make your final decision as to who you’re ready to spend your money with.
One thing’s for certain… you’ll want a real professional that’s ready to make your project flor seamlessly and deliver a beautiful, lasting product.
Tip #10: Take Care Of What's On Your Plate
There are times throughout the process where your contractor will need help from you, and it is important to understand these needs. It is your remodel, and for it to turn out like you envisioned it, you need to be as involved as your contractor.
Your role might be different than your contractor’s, but it is still important to be fully committed in order to ensure that you receive that perfect home renovation.
Asking your contractor what you can do to help the process is a wonderful way to establish your role in the process, and they will appreciate your willingness to play your part.
How Can We Be Successful?
In the remodeling industry, success is something that looks different to every homeowner. In general, it means that you have a positive experience and end up with a great renovation that makes you smile.
As long as your research was on point and your chose a good company to work with, you and your contractor can definitely work together to make this possible.
The best home renovations happen when you and your contractor work together. And although you won’t be the one tearing down old cabinets or installing new plumbing, you do have a part to play.
Your first job will always be to find a trustworthy team, but once that is done, it crucial to establish a good connection between you and them.
The Takeaway
Choosing a contractor is a process that can take a lot of time and hard work. It’s not simple, but it’s totally worth it.
A home renovation is an extensive project with a lot of money involved, so you should do anything in your power to make sure you’re money is well-spent and you’re hiring one of the best contractors in your area.
If there’s one takeaway from this article, it is to ask questions at all times during the project. Ask about the material suppliers, the contractor’s team, the payments, the cost estimate, and everything else that comes to mind.
We offer professional bathroom and kitchen remodeling services, but also larger home renovation projects in Modesto, Turlock, Tracy, and more of Central-Valley & Tri-Valley, California.
Contact us at (209) 620-0068 to discuss your project, or request a free quote and get your project started today!