Home improvement is the repairing, renovating, altering, converting or adding to a residential building. It includes work on driveways, sidewalks, swimming pools, patios, fences, porches, kitchens and bathrooms.
Look for a builder that specializes in the type of project you need. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Visit a builder’s job sites and model homes.
Licensed and Insured
Whether you’re hiring someone to build a swimming pool, paint your home, or perform any other home improvement project, it’s always important to work with licensed contractors. Licensing provides a baseline of knowledge and skill, while bonding and insurance provide financial protection.
A licensed contractor must show proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation before getting a license, so it stands to reason that you should ask to see these documents before hiring anyone to work on your home. You should also inquire about a surety bond, which covers unsatisfactory work or non-payment by the contractor.
If you find yourself unable to secure any references, you can always check with your local department of consumer protection for information on complaint history. You can also visit the website of your state’s licensing board to determine whether or not a contractor is licensed. However, it’s important to note that online contractor referral services may not check for this information, so you should still request these documents before hiring someone to do any work at your home.
Experience
A home improvement builder who has experience with your project will be able to answer any questions you may have. This will save you time and money in the long run. They will also be able to provide you with an accurate timeline for how long it will take to complete your job.
Home improvement contractors are involved in repairing, remodeling, altering, converting, renovating, modernizing, painting or improving residential and noncommercial property. This includes, but is not limited to, the construction, installation or replacement of driveways, sidewalks, swimming pools, terraces, patios, landscaping, fences, garages, fallout shelters and basements.
In addition to having experience with your project, ask your home improvement builders about their certifications and memberships in industry organizations. They should also carry workers’ compensation and liability insurance. This will protect you if an accident happens on the job site. They should be able to provide you with a contract with a detailed work schedule, payment schedule and specifics about your project, including the types or brands of materials to be used.
Good References
Having good contractor references is one of the most important things to look for in a home improvement builder. The answers to questions about how well the contractor stuck to their timeline, if they played by the rules, and whether or not they pulled all necessary permits can give you a sense of their overall professionalism.
Ask for references from projects similar to yours and try to talk to homeowners who worked with them during the project. They’ll be able to tell you how happy they are with the final result and whether or not they would work with them again.
Make sure to also talk to references from projects that were installed a few years ago to see how well they’re holding up over time. This will help you get a sense of how long the contractor has been in business and how much they’ve grown as a company. It will also help you know if they’re still capable of completing the quality of work you need.
Good Communication
One of the most important aspects of working with a residential contractor is good communication. It’s when homeowners articulate their vision and contractors echo those details back to them that the building process is defined by clarity, minimizes misunderstandings and maximizes project efficiency.
Whether in person, over the phone or via email, communication should be clear and direct. Avoid using jargon or excessive wording that can be confusing for homeowners. It is also a best practice to have only one person in your company authorized to communicate details about the build, as this eliminates miscommunication and reduces the amount of time needed to resolve any issues.
No building project is 100 percent problem-free – something will go wrong at some point, but it can be significantly reduced by choosing a contractor who has your best interest in mind and puts you first. Pay attention to how the contractor treats you during your initial meeting as this is a good indication of their communication style throughout the entire project.