Having Trouble Finding a Good Contractor?

Contractors are not generally not good business owners. Just because someone can swing a hammer doesn’t mean they can answer phone calls or show up on time.

Secondly, contractors don’t always have to be good. A lot of times they just have to be quick or cheap to meet certain needs. But none of this means you have to settle for a contractor that doesn’t fit your needs. Given some time and research, you can figure out how to find a contractor that can get the job done properly. 

Here are the best tips to help find good contractors and narrow down the list.

1. Be proactive, not reactive

Have you ever heard the old phrase, “The best time to look for a job is when you don’t need one”? The same principle applies to contractors. If you’re only looking for one when you need one, you’re setting yourself up for problems from the start. Instead, be proactive. 

2. Understand price vs. cost

These two terms may sound the same, but there’s a key difference when it comes to hiring anyone or making investments in your business.

“Price” is the monetary amount paid when you purchase something, but “cost” is the long-term monetary amount paid over the life of a product or service.

3. Ask for referrals

One of the best ways to find good contractors is by asking others who they have used for similar work. It’s a simple yet effective method that can help you out as well. 

4. Google them

References are great, but doing your own research is also key to picking a contractor. It’s like a referral… but from tons of people on the internet. 

5. Check references

It’s a good idea to ask for multiple referrals and from the most recent jobs they’ve completed. Call the reference and ask if the contractor showed up on time, if they completed the work, if they tried to change the dollar amount mid-work or after it was done, and if they would use them again.

6. Ask questions

References and recommendations are great, but they aren’t specified to you. Asking the right questions that are tailored to your needs is a great way to find the right contractor for you. This pre-screening process will help you weed out ones you don’t like early on.

7. The 6 a.m. Home Depot trick

Go to Home Depot at 6 a.m. and meet the contractors that are there. These are the contractors who get up early and get their supplies before heading over to the job site. This is a strong indication that they know what they are doing and are not going to take advantage of you. Although this is no silver bullet, it can give you an idea of contractors who take their work seriously and get started early in the day.

8. Have contractors compete

Sometimes the best answer is not finding one contractor, but several who can compete for your business. Having them compete will help breed competitiveness that will drive price and quality. If you let them know you have other pros on hand, they will be sure to give you their best prices, quality, and attention.

9. Verify potential contractors

Verify that they truly do have a license to do whatever work you intend for them to do. If they are an electrician, make sure they have an electrical license. If they are a plumber, make sure they have a plumbing license. If they are a general contractor, make sure they have a general contractor’s license.

Next, make sure they do actually have the proper insurance and bond. Simply ask the name of their insurance agent and verify it with that agent. Good contractors should be able to provide you with proof for all of this.