Use a checklist to help determine the best contractor for your project:
• Check references
• Look at a current project worksite
• Confirm licensing and insurance coverage
• Ask about training and experience
• Get a project plan and pricing in writing
• Find out who’ll be working on your jobsite
“While it’s important to have a valid contractor’s license, it doesn’t guarantee a contractor is right for the job,” says David Lorber, co-owner of Superior Builders & Remodelers in Oakland. Many people don’t do a good job of interviewing their contractor, he says. For more complex projects, consider contractors that excel at coordinating each craftsperson involved.
Mr. Lorber also suggests asking pertinent questions. How long has the contractor been in business? How long have its employees worked for the company? How long has the contractor worked with its subcontractors? Does it have accounts with local suppliers?
Communication and project planning tools are also good indicators for building trust and finding a comfort level with a prospective contractor. Ask to see what tools are used for similar projects.
Once you choose a contractor, it’s important to stay close to the project through its completion. Inquire about and plan how a review of work in progress will be performed.
