What to look for when hiring a general contractor.
Home repair and renovation projects can be a stressful time for homeowners. Finding a trustworthy contractor who is competent, reliable, and ethical can be a daunting task. Sadly, not all contractors run their operations ethically, which can lead to homeowners being taken advantage of.
A few things you can do:
Check their online reviews and ratings. It’s more difficult now to know if that google rating you are reading is legitimate or paid for, but it will give you an idea about the company. And in this day and age of “drama venting” it’s hard to know when to believe a negative review. But approach the process with balance and open minded-ness. What is the overall sense of the reviews when put together in a big picture?
Ask for references from previous customers …. and then contact them. Most will give you the full story….”yes they were great, but it took a long time”, for example, is a fair and balanced review.
Verify their licensing with the State of Washington. If you go to lni.wa.gov online, there is a button on the first screen of that website that allows you verify licensing. You can look up the potential contractor by name, business name or contractor number. It’s a great tool as a potential client to help you determine the integrity and intent of your contractor. In my opinion, a reputable company will comply with the hassles and costs of being licensed. It also puts all of us on a level playing field when it comes to bidding out our work as we all have to pay certain costs to work in Washington state.
As another tip…..Rescue Restoration only uses licensed sub-contractors too. It’s our job to verify that before we hire any sub-contractors.
Get a sense of the communication style of the company you are considering hiring….are they comfortable answering questions? Is there bidding paperwork transparent? Do they have explanations for open ended costs that may be associated with your job? Smaller companies may not have full time office staff to answer the phone everytime you call…but are they consistent in returning your calls?
Home repairs and renovations are essential to keeping your home safe, functional, and comfortable. However, homeowners must be aware that not all contractors operate ethically. At Rescue Restoration, we understand your concerns and pledge to deliver honest, quality services that meet your needs. Contact us today for all your home repair needs!