3 Important Questions to Ask Your Renovation Contractor

There are times when renovating your home takes only a few DIY projects which do not require any special skills or technical know-how. However, to ensure a great outcome, especially for major renovations, it is best to hire a contractor.

When hiring a contractor, you are essentially putting all of your faith in their abilities. That can have its positives and negatives. Firstly, it’s great because a contractor will bring all of their own materials and tools. This saves you from sourcing your own materials and tools. If you were to source your own materials, it would mean searching for the best skip hire sydney has to offer, ordering numerous raw materials and even having to buy various tools. This is a lot of effort but can also be incredibly costly too, especially if you only need certain tools for one job. However, it does mean leaving the renovation to someone else which can make you feel less in control.

Using a professional is even more important if you are renovating your property with the intention of putting it up for sale. Renovation projects are one of the many ways you can increase the value of your home. Did you also know that there are a wide variety of online estate agents out there that can make selling your house on the internet easier? For more information about online estate agents, take a look at these reviews from Ask Susan. As always, when trusting an estate agent to sell your property, make sure to do as much research as you can to make sure you are making the right decision.

Subsequently, when you hire a renovation contractor and invite this person into your home, there is a great deal of trust that must go into making such a decision. Not all contractors are created equal. In fact, they tend to vary greatly in the skills they possess, their honesty and the quality of their work. This is why it is foolish not to do your homework before you hire a contractor to renovate your home or office.

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To help you with your decision, here are some questions you should ask to evaluate prospective contractors:

1. Where is their office?

You need to make sure that the contractor you hire actually has a brick and mortar office that you can visit. For example, one of my friends recently hired a roofing contractor and after visiting their office gained peace of mind that her renovation project was in safe hands. Unfortunately, however, there are many contractors who travel around the country doing unlicensed and substandard work. Be the time the client discovers the extent of the bad work, the contractor has already left town. This makes finding the person and getting them to repair the damage almost impossible. Ideally, you should not hire a contractor unless they have worked in your area for at least two years.

2. Are they licensed and insured?

If you hire an unlicensed or uninsured contractor, you are taking a big risk. Insurance is important because it will protect you in the event the contractor damages anything in your home during the project. Ask to see the contractor’s license and proof of insurance. I know a contractor and he told me that if you need contractors all risk insurance, visit constructaquote.com for a reasonably priced quote.

3. What is their estimate for the project?

Contractor estimates can vary greatly, so talk to a minimum of five different contractors before making a decision. Keep in mind that the lowest estimate is not always the best. Scrutinize their cost breakdown and check which contractor gives you the best value for your money.