How do you choose the right contractor for your home improvement project? Sorting through the options can be overwhelming, but these tools will help you feel great about your decision.
For homeowners, understanding how hiring a contractor works can feel really overwhelming. Everyone has heard stories of nightmare contractor hires. If you want to avoid that hassle and heartache– and you’ve come to the right place to learn how to do just that!
Why Choosing the Right Contractor Matters
A good contractor manages your project right from the first call through the end of your warranty. Home renovations are personal. Letting someone onto a job site that doubles as your private space can feel vulnerable. You want to make sure you have a trustworthy contractor in charge of the work.
Protecting Your Home
In addition to protecting your valuables and your family on-site, you also want to protect your home value. Make sure the work will be done correctly and meet local building codes. A reputable contractor should also have liability insurance that protects you in the event an employee gets injured on your property.
Protect Yourself From Risks
In addition to injuries occurring on your property, construction projects can open you up to the risk of property damage. Working with an unlicensed, uninsured, or unreliable contractor can create big risks that impact your project timeline, budget, and liability.
Doing Your Research Can Help Prevent Getting Scammed
Asking the right questions will protect you from getting scammed. Make sure your contractor has insurance coverage. Get a full project cost quote before beginning work. And don’t forget to read previous customer reviews. Watch out for red flags like requiring payment before providing a project quote. If they refuse to provide copies of insurance documents or aren’t clear about their background or experience– run away!
What Do The Different Types of Contractors Do?
There are many types of contractors who focus on different projects. General contractors handle a lot of different work, while specialists are experts in a single field. Understanding what area your remodeling project falls into will help you research the best contractors for that job in your area.
General Contractors
Lots of local contractors fall into the “generalist” category. General contractors act as the primary manager for larger construction projects. Typically, general contractors handle the majority of the project details for you and are a liaison with subcontractors, suppliers, permitting, and beyond. General contractors are required to be licensed, insured, or bonded in almost all cases.
General Contractors Provide:
- Project management
- Timelines and scheduling
- Subcontractor hiring and management
- Supply procurement
- Permitting and compliance
- Budget management and payments
Specialist Contractors
Specialist contractors have a given concentration that they are experts in. These areas require additional education, licensing, or practice to make them experts in their designated fields. Finding the right contractor for the work you need completed will require a bit of research into that field and how to determine if one is an expert in that craft. Like general contractors, all of these subcontractor categories require a license, some requiring additional licensing for their trade.
Window and Door Contractors
There are contractors who specialize in window and door installation, repair, and replacement. A great window company will have a track record of successful client work via reviews and results photos. Top contractors will be able to help you make the right decision for your home’s aesthetics among the many window and door options as well.
Gutter Contractors
Gutter installation requires tricky angles, the right gutters, and ongoing maintenance that keeps your home protected from flooding and water damage. Top gutter companies will be able to recommend the best gutter systems for your home and can also provide ongoing maintenance once repairs or installation have been completed. Learn more about how to choose the right gutter installation contractor.
Siding Contractors
To repair, replace, or install your home’s siding, you’ll want to look for siding contractors with years of experience in their field and a track record of success on similar projects. Your point of contact should be able to help you choose a siding that works well for your environment, home design, and maintenance needs. Learn more about choosing a siding contractor that you can trust.
Painting Contractors
Painting is another contracting niche that often has its own company. For some projects, a general contractor may bring in a painting subcontractor to complete finishing work. For other work– like painting your home’s exterior or changing the colors inside without any remodel work– you’ll contract with a painter directly. Make sure they are properly licensed and insured, and ask for images of their past work and look for reviews from happy customers.
Electrical Contractors
Electrical contractors have additional licensing that makes them qualified to complete electrical work. Electrical work can become very dangerous if the wrong contractor is in charge. It’s key to ask essential questions and get verification of credentials to avoid potential risks like electrical fires, costly repairs, bodily harm, and liability.
Multi-Service Contractors
Some contractors may not fall into “general contractor” territory, but do combine several focus areas as part of their work. At Aerotech, we provide both gutter and siding services. Because these areas often intersect, it’s efficient for us to work on both gutter installation and siding jobs. We work for customers who need one or both of our services. Just because a contractor is multi-service doesn’t mean you have to hire them to do both tasks.
Research: How to Hire a Good Contractor
When shopping for a contractor, the first step is to conduct an internet search and begin to familiarize yourself with the contractors in your area. You’ll want to get specific and search for the type of contractor you’ll need. For example, for a siding installation project, you might search “siding contractor near me” or “siding installation in (your city)”. These will help you narrow down the search results from all types of contractors to the type you need.
In addition to a basic internet search, you can look up contractors via Yelp, Nextdoor, Reddit, or by asking your neighbors and friends if there are companies they would recommend. Some green flags to look for in your research include:
- Positive, honest reviews from real people.
- Great examples of previous projects, including before and after images.
- A friendly staff that answers your questions without pressuring you to move quickly.
- A no-cost quote for the work you need completed, including a timeline of when it could be scheduled.
Before you move into contracting, make sure you verify their license. Many US states offer a verification tool online that can help you confirm a contractor is properly licensed by the state. Proper licensing holds contractors to a higher set of standards for safety and protects you from damages and liability.
Getting Quotes & Understanding Costs
After you discuss your project goals, have an on-site walkthrough, and discuss your budget, a trustworthy licensed contractor will provide you with a quote that has an itemized breakdown of your costs. Typically, this will outline a payment schedule that includes a deposit to begin work and final payments once work is completed. There may be financing options available, and if you need to ask additional questions about where certain costs are coming from, the contractor should be open to answering them for you. Read more about how costs could be broken out on our blog.
Red flags to watch out for include:
- Contractors asking for cash-only payments
- Contractors requiring the full amount before beginning work
- Unexpected expenses included in the invoice that were not previously discussed
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
Feel empowered to ask questions that help you understand the project scope, quote, and outcomes completely. Don’t feel like you have to go with the lowest price quote if the work won’t be high quality. Define the methods of communication used during the project and understand what a realistic timeline will be for the work.
Some examples of great questions to ask during the process:
- Do you have gutter cleaning insurance?
- Can you share samples of previous similar projects?
- Can you provide a reference from a previous customer I could call and speak with?
- What is your communication style during the project?
- Who will schedule the inspections needed for this work?
- Have you completed other siding projects like this before?
- What is the proper care for this product after work is completed? Is there ongoing maintenance?
- What gutter systems do you recommend for this climate?
- How many gutter installations does your team take on at one time?
- Can you share a scope of work document to outline what you’re handling?
- Do you acquire all building permits? Are those costs included in the quote?
- What is the estimated completion date?
- How long does it typically take to get the necessary permits?
What to Know Before Signing a Contract
After you’ve received several quotes from qualified contractors, asked a project manager all of your questions, and selected your contractor, make sure you understand these final details before signing on the dotted line.
- Warranties. You should understand what warranties are included, if any, and if there are maintenance restrictions or other caveats you need to know about to keep that warranty active.
- Guarantees. Similar to warranties, know whether the contractor guarantees their work and what the process is to reach out to customer service if something goes wrong.
- Maintenance. Know what your ongoing upkeep will be for the work that is to be completed.
The last thing to make sure you know before signing your contract is how you will handle any disputes that come up during the work. Check forums like the Better Business Bureau and other review sites to make sure this contractor doesn’t have a history of ignoring complaints. Do your research on what to expect for your specific project scope, and don’t be afraid to voice concerns as the project is happening. Corrections or changes might be easier to accommodate while the project is ongoing.
Make Sure You Have Everything in Writing
When the time to sign has finally arrived, make sure it details everything you’ve discussed. Word-of-mouth agreements are not the same as getting it in writing. Make sure every detail lines up with your quote and your game plan as discussed, and if something is missing, ask that it be added.
Red Flags to Watch Out For From Contractors
A reliable contractor will not rush you through the quote process or pressure you to sign before you’re ready. Make sure your potential contractor isn’t using vague language that doesn’t sound like what you agreed to. If you have a gut feeling something is off– trust it and continue shopping for a different contractor.
A Trustworthy Gutter & Siding Contractor Serving The Northeast
Aerotech has been serving the Southeast for decades, and our track record is one that is overwhelmingly positive. We pride ourselves on being trustworthy. Expect excellent customer service, detailed quotes, clear scopes of work, and an open and honest communication style. Contact us to get a quote for gutter installation, regular cleanings, or siding installation today.
We’re Here to Serve!
Aerotech brings over 34 years of gutter expertise to every job. We’re fully insured, so you will have peace of mind that the job will be completed safely and efficiently every time.
Aerotech proudly services: