A home renovation project can be exciting. You might want to add new rooms to your home to give it greater functionality. Or you might want to give it a completely new makeover if you are after a change of style. You might even want to make a few green upgrades to both save the world and your financial future. Excellent reasons all, and if you are planning on making a few changes, we are sure you’re looking forward to the final result.
However, you do need the right person for the job. Get the right contractor, and you will have a home worth coming back to each day. Get the wrong person on the other hand, well, your home might become a health and safety nightmare. A bad plumbing installation, for example, could lead to flooding and a callout of an emergency water cleanup service. And a dodgy extension could hurt the resale value of your home and your personal wellbeing.
You need to do your homework when finding the best person, and here is how to go about it:
Ask For Referrals
If a friend, family member, or a neighbor has recently had work done on their home, ask them about their experience. If the job has been done poorly, find out who did the work, and avoid them like the proverbial plague. But if the final results are good, ask them for the contractor’s number, as you might want to hire the same person for your project.
Look For Reviews Online
There all kinds of business review sites online, so check those listings that contain details of local contractors. Read any reviews that have been written, and make a note of those companies that have had decent comments written about them. Of course, you do need to be careful. You need to watch out for fake reviews, be they good or bad, because they could be biased. The contractor may have used a fake name and written a glowing review about themselves too! So, read a number of reviews to get an overall picture of the contractors you are considering, and check social media sites and local forums for customer comments too.
Google The Contractor’s Name On Local News Sites
It might be that the contractor has a mention in the local media. This could be for a good reason, such as a commendation for work well done. On the other hand, they may have been named and shamed for shoddy workmanship! So, check online for any such news stories, and if you do find something, be it good or bad, factor that into your final decision.
Visit The Contractor’s Website
You should not base your judgment entirely on the website, as smaller firms might not have the resources of larger firms when putting something together. Still, you might be able to pick up a few bits of information that instill positive feelings within you. Testimonials, proof of certifications and qualifications, and an online portfolio demonstrating work done are all positive signs of an excellent contractor.
Do not hurry along your search for a contractor, as you might end up with a rogue trader. Take your time, pick up background info about them, and come up with a list of questions to ask them when you finally get in touch.
With the right person, your home renovation project will be a successful one, so be diligent in your search.
