1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Ask for the specific insurance paperwork, ensuring that they are a real firm and can perform the fixes that you desire them to perform. Request their general liability insurance certificate and workers’ compensation bonds. The former secures a homeowner against financial losses from accidental damage to personal property, for example, if a construction worker knocks down a wall or breaks a pipe. In turn, the latter item protects you from paying the construction worker’s salary if he gets injured on your property. Check the trade license numbers against official databases to ensure there are no lies about being able to legally work in the state. With everything verified, you’ll know that your wallet and home are safe.
2. Who will oversee the works during my renovation?
Remember that there are different people in charge of managing the works depending on the project’s size. If the contractor you hired shows up to discuss the budget but disappears throughout the construction period, ask who exactly can be considered responsible for day-to-day tasks during the works. Make sure to get a direct phone number from the primary supervisor in addition to asking how often he or she is going to visit the job site. Determine how communication is going to take place; phone calls or text messages may help you track the progress faster and resolve issues without waiting for an annual walkthrough.
3. How do you handle unexpected delays and changes?
Every experienced contractor should have some contingency plan to deal with things going wrong. Ask how exactly the chosen company is going to address delays, budget changes, and similar issues that require change orders. First of all, a trustworthy contractor will inform the client of all problems and unexpected expenses in writing. Second, the revised budget should only be approved by the homeowner, without any additional work being performed. In the end, you will save money by not paying for unmentioned repairs and enjoy the convenience of the completed project being done right without unwise expenses.
4. What’s your payment schedule?
Never allow a contractor to demand cash advances, especially if he or she hasn’t physically touched your property yet. Reputable companies can offer transparent payment schedules based on the work volumes already completed. A standard down payment of around 50% is enough to ensure that the contractor is serious about the project. Progress payments, in turn, are made after inspecting the completed portions of the job. Finally, you can request a final punch list and pay the closing payment only after seeing everything in perfect condition.
5. How do you keep the worksites clean?
One would imagine that a cluttered worksite is a space not to be! Inquire from the contractor whether any of his or her employees will clean up the area after the work is finished. Always retrieve and dispose of any hazardous materials from the site by the crew. If you want to minimize the dust and dirt in the home during the renovation, ask how the contractors plan to protect the floors in other rooms from power tools’ debris. By ensuring that the construction workers take pride in their work and maintain the area they are in charge of, you will create safer conditions for both workers and residents and avoid unnecessary expenses in case any property damage occurs.