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A Guide to Choosing a Good Contractor

Renovations There is real fear involved in hiring a renovation contractor. Are they as good as they say they are? Will they finish the job? Will it be done properly?

Thankfully, there are some simple steps that you can follow to ensure you are hiring a reliable contractor. Let's look at them in detail.

When first starting out, ask people you know who have had renovations done for their recommendations, or check the CHBA, BBB, or Renomark websites. You can also contact your local Home Builders Association for a list of professionals in your area.

Now it's time to do your research. When choosing the top three or four to contact for quotes, start by checking their credentials. A contractor should be certified in what they do, not a 'jack-of-all-trades'. Ensure the company is licensed with the city they work in, and also licensed to take a deposit before any work is done. This is called a pre-paid contractors license, and means they are bonded.

Renovations A good contractor should also carry liability insurance of at least $2 million and have Worker's Compensation coverage. They will also likely be a part of organizations like BBB, CHBA, and Renomark.

The next step is to ask your top picks for a list of references. However, don't just call these references. If you have come across a scam artist at work, he will have references ready to say everything he wants them to. Instead, ask if you can visit and see the work the contractor did. It may even be helpful to view a work-in-progress.

In home renovation, you really do get what you pay for. When a contractor says they can save you a lot of money if you pay them cash, you are putting yourself in danger of having no paper trail, and thus no recourse if things go sideways. You may end up with insurance liability, an unfinished job with no contractor in sight, or a project that goes horribly wrong and you can't get it fixed.

Renovations Also, only use contractors who insist on applying for building permits and doing things to code. These regulations are in place to protect homeowner and builder alike. Your deposit should also be a reasonable amount of the projected total, and the promises you hear should sound realistic. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

All of these potential pitfalls can be avoided by getting things in writing. Make sure you have a signed contract that lists start and finish dates, who will do what, the exact things to be done, how much money is required for deposit and progress payments, and details of what the costs cover. Always get it in writing, no matter how small the job. This can help protect you in the case of an accident, theft, and unsatisfactory or unfinished work.

There are many great resources for further guidance when choosing a contractor. For Calgary homeowners, visit the websites listed below for the laws in your area, sample interviews, and much more. So let's go over the seven steps once more:

Do your research.
Check all credentials.
Get references and view previous work.
Only use above board and licensed contractors.
Ask about business liability insurance coverage, workers compensation coverage, and warranties.
Get it in writing.
Visit www.hiringacontractor.com, www.chba.ca, and www.myhomereno.com for more information.

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