Four Questions to Ask a Contractor BEFORE They Start Work On Your Home

We’ve all had bad experiences with home-repair contractors at one time or another. They cancel appointments or show up late. They don’t clean up after the job is done. Maybe they spring an unexpected charge on you, forcing you to pay more than the estimate. Regardless of the situation, once a contractor has started work, you typically feel as if you have to see it through, no matter what happens. After all, you don’t want to leave a job half done, right? And this means they have you over the proverbial barrel.  

There’s an easy way to avoid a lot of the pitfalls of hiring a plumber, electrician, roofer, or just about any other kind of home-repair contractor. And that is to ask them a few simple questions before hiring them. 

How long have you been in business?

This is an important one. Expertise is gained through experience. The longer a contractor has been in business, the better they are likely to be at their job. Just because they started business in 1987, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve been repairing foundations since 1987. The other primary benefit of a company that’s been around for a long time is, it’s likely they’ve earned a good reputation with homeowners. After all, if you’re incompetent or dishonest, it’s not likely you will be successful over the long run. 

How many employees do you have?

Company size isn’t always an indicator of competence, but it’s more likely that a contractor that has at least a few job-specific employees is serious about his or her business and can handle repairs of a larger scale. When it comes to repairing a concrete driveway, for instance, you want someone who has a lot of experience with concrete lifting instead of a Jack-of-all-trades who does a little bit of concrete, a little bit of plumbing, etc. More employees also indicate that the company can function as a legitimate business over time. This, too, speaks to its competence and commitment to fixing your home right, the first time. 

Are you accredited?

Depending on your state, contractors need to be licensed to provide their services. Beyond that, most respectable contractors seek accreditation from organizations such as the Better Business Bureau or the local chamber of commerce. This indicates that they’re a legitimate business with satisfied customers. You can also check reviews, such as Google, Yelp, Angie’s List, and Home Advisor. Don’t just look at overall ratings; check individual reviews. A one-star review could indicate an incompetent contractor, but it could also indicate a difficult or unreasonable customer. 

Do you offer a warranty?

The best home-repair contractors stand behind their work with a warranty or guarantee. This should not only assure your satisfaction, but it should also be transferable to the new owners, should you decide to sell your home. A contractor who warrants their work is demonstrating that they aren’t some fly-by-night operation that will disappear the moment you hand them a check. Be especially careful regarding contractors who travel from location to location after severe weather events such as hail or flooding. They might offer low prices, but it’s likely they won’t be reachable should something go wrong with their work. 

Above all, use common sense when hiring a contractor. Pay attention to how they speak and act. Do they seem eager to help you? Are they polite? Do they treat you with respect? By asking these questions and paying close attention to a contractor’s attitude, you can go a long way to ensuring that you have a positive experience. And if we all do this consistently, we might just be able to raise the bar for the whole contracting industry. After all, don’t we deserve better? Give us a call at 1-800-638-7048, or visit us at basementsystemsofny.com to schedule your no-obligation consultation with one of our expert Specialists to learn how we can help transform the overall comfort level of your home today!