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Looking to Find a Reliable Contractor for Your Home Improvement Work?

How To Hire A Reliable Contractor For Your Home Improvement Projects

So, you’re interested in having work done in your home by a professional contractor—how exciting!  It can also be a little intimidating, thinking about how you are going to find a reputable, reliable contractor who is the perfect fit for your project.  How do you screen and select the best professional for your job?  We’ve asked the professionals at KohlerHaus, a Tampa-based contracting firm, to give us some guidelines on hiring a professional contractor.

  1. Check to see if they have a valid license– You can do so by going to myfloridalicense.com and searching by their name or business name. This will not only tell you if they have a license but also, what they are licensed for and when their license expires.
  2. Ask the contractor if they have worked on a project similar to yours– For instance, if you are looking for a bathroom remodel, ask if he or she has done this type of work before and to provide some examples.
  3. Ask for references– Just because they may have done work in your area of renovation does not mean it was smooth or comfortable for the homeowner. Ask if you can speak to their previous clients who had bathroom renovations done. They will give you the complete story.
  4. Get a detailed proposal– Do not accept a lump proposal without any detail outlining what the contractor will do and what you are responsible for. This leaves you open to too much uncertainty. For example, you’ll want to know what kind of payment schedule is expected and at what specific intervals.
  5. Determine how and when you will communicate regarding the project– Communication is key and this will not only give you piece of mind but will also allow the contractor to proceed efficiently and smoothly.

BONUS:

  1. Once you have hired your general contractor, it is customary to provide a deposit for the estimated cost of the complete project.
  2. Contractors only bid on the conditions they can see. If something is uncovered during the course of the project, there may be additional fees and materials needed. The process for handling these potential surprises should be discussed before the project begins.
  3. There are many levels of finish work from basic to extravagant and these can vary based on the client’s budget. If you should change your mind on something that was initially agreed upon in the proposal, ask for a change order to be issued. This will cover you AND the contractor and will alleviate any surprises at the end.
  4. Do a walk-through with your contractor once the project is completed. Ask questions if needed.
  5. The contractor wants you to be as happy with the final result as possible as many of them get additional business through referrals.

Selecting the correct professional requires some homework on your part but is more than worth it when you are completely happy with the finished product. Do your due diligence and your project will likely go smoother and have a better outcome than you imagined.

KohlerHaus is a general contracting firm with expertise in high quality residential painting services, decorating, renovation and repair. Whether you’re interested in aesthetic changes or in improving functionality, we can work with you to unlock the potential of your home. We deliver unique solutions that exceed your needs and stay within your budget. You can reach us at 813-361-2626 or email us at ldemmi@kohlerhaus.net

Photo: Flickr

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