When you need work done on your home or business, you need to find the right contractor for the job. Finding a good contractor is unfortunately not always easy, especially if you have no previous experience with contractors in the area. There are some ways you can make sure that the contractor you hire for your next construction, renovation or other property work is up to the task. The following are the top 5 tips you should follow in order to find a good contractor.

Tip #1: Conduct an interview with the candidates

One of the best ways to get a handle on a contractor is to conduct an in-person interview with them and if possible, their team. The interview should go over questions such as whether they work on multiple projects at the same time, their projected completion time, your expectations for the work, and any other important information that is relevant to the job.

Tip #2: Look for recommendations

If you don’t have any experience with the contractor or other contractors in your area, then it’s time to start looking for recommendations. Ask around to find anyone who has experience with certain contractors in order to get feedback on their experiences. If possible, ask the person you are getting a recommendation from about the quality of the work and customer service provided by the contractor.

Tip #3: Visit a job site

You should investigate an active job site being worked on by that contractor in order to see for yourself what their work ethic and overall work environment is like. Do they seem to start on time? Do they behave professionally while on the job? Do they take a lot of breaks? What is the overall atmosphere and ethic on the job site? Seeing the contractor and their teamwork in person will give you a general idea of how they will behave when working on your job.

Tip #4: Get more than one bid

Never stick with a single potential contractor and a single bid. Always get multiple bids for your job, preferably from a range of contractors that you consider to be qualified for the work. You should also remember that just because the bid is the lowest, it doesn’t mean that it’s the best bid overall. You must consider elements such as the overall project completion time, work ethic, and other factors which could impact the quality of the contractor’s work.

Tip #5: Check for licensing and insurance

You should always ask to see a potential contractor’s licensing information and insurance documentation. You don’t want to find out too late the contractor doesn’t carry insurance or doesn’t possess a license.  The best time to bring this up is during the interview process. If they aren’t forthcoming with their paperwork, then skip them and find someone else. A good contractor will always be up to date with all their licensing and insurance certification and will have no problem showing them to prospective clients.

Remember: finding a good contractor takes time and work, but with the above tips in mind, you’ll find the process less frustrating overall.

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