What to Look For in a Contractor

As you begin to look for a contractor, you need to think about how you will judge those you choose to interview.

Presentation. Professional contractors operate in a business-like manner. They respect your schedule and show up for appointments on time. They present themselves well, are organized and deal with your questions and concerns directly. They earn your confidence because they follow through on promises—if they say they will call you back tomorrow, they do. How a contractor deals with you before a contract is signed tells you a lot about how you can expect to be treated once the job begins.

Communication. Home repair and renovation is a "people business" and good contractors are good listeners and communicators. Professional contractors must "translate" your ideas and goals into a workable plan and then deliver what you expect. This requires a solid working relationship and good rapport. If you're not comfortable with contractors you interview or don't feel you can communicate with them effectively, you should keep looking to find the right person for your job.

Skills and experience. Repairing or renovating a home can be a far more complex task than building it in the first place. It takes years of experience in the business before most contractors are ready to manage a major project on their own. It also involves a lot of different types of work, some of which require specialized expertise. Whatever the scope and nature of your project, your contractor needs to have solid experience with that type of work. They also need to prove to you that they do.

Professional reputation. Established contractors will provide you with references from previous customers, and in fact, you shouldn't even have to ask for them. They also work with a network of other businesses within your community-banks, material suppliers and other trades. It's a good idea to ask a contractors for references to any of these people to find out about their reputation within the industry itself.

Proper business practices. Professional contractors don’t cut corners when it comes to business liability insurance, Workers’ Compensation coverage, obtaining building permits and running their business properly. They will always provide you with a written contract before the work begins. And they won’t suggest that they can give you a “special deal” if you pay them in cash and “skip the paperwork”. Anyone who does isn’t a professional.

This article was sourced from the "Get it in Writing!" intitiative of the Canadian Home Builders' Association.