Did you know that approximately 40 percent of home improvement projects today are the direct result of the poor workmanship or improper materials installed by a previous contractor? You need to arm yourself with the knowledge to research, interview, and weed out the well-intentioned but inexperienced firms or the simply rogue contractors.
A few warning signs are:
- Credentials that cannot be verified
- Use of high-pressure sales tactics
- No references
- No written contract
- No guarantee on work
Make sure you are asking the right questions, like: Have you ever operated under any other name? Are you properly licensed in this state? These are simple enough for a qualified contractor to answer, while a rogue contractor will struggle, indiciating that they are not the right person for you or your home.
A preservation-based contractor is the difference between a generalist and a specialist who knows what it means to craft a home from traditional materials. General contractors may be very good at what they do, but if they are not well-steeped in the art of preservation, they are not the right fit for your home.
Investigate to determine whether a prospective firm is suitable. Verify that they have completed a project of the same size and scope as yours. The best contractor for you will have also worked on projects with similar styles and time periods.
Take time to visit jobsites that potential contractors are working on or have done in the past. Ask to see a portfolio of their work. Request a list of references to verify quality of work and warranty/customer-service practices.
You can also take a look at their website, blog, and social media sites. What do they post? Is it self-promotion or is it preservation promotion? Spending time researching and choosing the right preservation-driven contractor helps avoid the potential headaches and damage that hiring the wrong contractor can cause.