Guest Blogger: 6 Tips you Need to Know Before Hiring a Contractor for your Home

Guest Blog #83, Entry #534, May 25, 2011

Depending on what type of modifications, restoration or changes you want to your home, hiring a contractor could be in your near future. If you are considering a contractor, do you know what to ask, and what factors to consider before deciding on one? Today’s Guest Blogger, Mike Rogers gives tips for choosing one.

Hiring a contractor for your home doesn’t have to be a mystery

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Do you need to do residential construction at your home? If so, then it’s crucial that you choose the right contractor specializing in residential construction. Here are some key features to look for in such contractors:

1. Experience

It’s crucial that a residential contractor that you choose have enough experience. He doesn’t necessary have to have decades of experience in the business. But the “more is better” rule generally applies when choosing a contractor. Years of experience will help him to avoid common pitfalls, and to find the best solution if any problems arise while doing residential construction work.

Before you hire a contractor, read these helpful tips

2. Cost

Keep in mind that the residential construction work that you’ll have done on your home will be an investment. In fact, it could substantially increase its value. That said, make sure that you don’t pay more than you should. Do some research about the industry standard costs of completing the construction work on your home. Also, whenever possible try to negotiate the cost of the construction work. These steps will help you to get the best price. While work from quality contractors will likely cost more, it still shouldn’t cost more than usual.

3. Guarantee

This is crucial whether you’re searching for a roofing contractor or a different specialist. Keep in mind that not all guarantees are alike. It’s absolutely, positively important that the guarantee be written. Just as importantly, it should be detailed. What specific work will the contractor be doing? When will the work be completed? How much will the work cost you? If a certain residential contractor can’t provide a written guarantee that answers such questions, then you should keep searching.

4. History

Unfortunately, it’s difficult for any business to satisfy all of its customers. However, if a home construction contractor hasn’t satisfied most of its customers, then you should think twice about hiring him. So before choosing a contractor (such as a roofing contractor) do some research about a particular contractor’s track record. Get personal referrals from friends, relatives, and coworkers. Review organizations that track complaints filed about individual construction contractors. Taking these steps will help you to avoid contractors who have built up a bad reputation.

5. Paperwork

It’s crucial to choose a residential construction specialist who’s fully licensed, bonded, and insured. How about for outstanding contractors? You should do this paperwork check 100% of the time. Even if a residential contractor is skilled and careful, mistakes and accidents are simply a part of life. Stuff happens. Choosing a contractor who’s fully licensed, bonded, and insured will help to protect not only you, but also the construction contractor for residences.

6. Warranty

This is an official way to protect you if your house were to experience any problems after the contractor completes his work. Generally you should look for warranties that are at least a year long. Sometimes your house won’t experience any problems until months after the contractor completed the work. So make sure that you’ve protected yourself for such situations.

If you want to find the right construction contractor who specializes in homes, then the above considerations will help you to accomplish your mission

Mike Rogers is president of MW Rogers Construction which is a Houston roofing contractor and also does Houston residential construction

Rogers, M.W. Construction
7536 Harms Road # A, Houston, TX 77041-2142
(713) 937-7200

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