How to Hire a Contractor
How to Hire a Contractor
Thinking about renovating your home, but aren’t sure where to start? That is where we come in! Armstrong Home Renovations is a Calgary-based renovations company that can help you. Whether you are looking for bathroom remodeling, basement renovations or home renovations in general, here are some tips and tricks for hiring a contractor.
Who should I hire?
The first question that always comes to mind is: who should I hire? The first thing you can do is ask around your friends and family. Most people know someone who has had to hire general contractors before, so they might know someone who they can recommend to you. Not only that, but it gives you a bit more sense of security knowing that the contractor can be somewhat trusted.
When you are searching for a company to perform your renovations, whatever they may be, it is good to ask basic questions to get to know who will be doing the work for you. Below is a list of important questions that you should ask your contractor when first meeting them:
- How long have you been in business?
- What are your main renovations that you do?
- What are some of the jobs that you have done in the past that are similar to what I am asking you to do?
- Can I see a couple references?
- What is your initial estimate for everything?
- Do you have any type of warranty?
The other thing to consider is if you need to hire a general contractor or not, depending on what you want done. General contractors are able to do:
- New Construction
- Renovations, including Bathroom Renovations, Kitchen Renovations, etc.
- Remodeling
- Painting
- Electric
- Plumbing
- Wood Working
- Flooring
- Roofing
- Siding
Getting Estimates
Once you have narrowed down what you are looking for, it’s time to get some estimates. Generally, it is normal to get about three different estimates to find which contractor is right for you. It is important when getting estimates to make sure you have the specifications of your contract (eg. labor cost, material cost) as well as the design drawings. Some contractors do not offer these services, which means you will have to get either a separate architect or designer to draw up the plans.
At Armstrong Home Renovations, we help our clients from start to finish. No need to hire extra designers, we do the design drawings for you!
The other important thing is to make sure any estimates or plans that you receive are all in writing. Always make sure you have physical proof of estimates and contracts in case of any issues you may have with your contractor or for things such as warranty claims if warranty is provided. If you’re in need of a quote or simply just have questions, contact us today.
Discussing a Payment Plan
It is always important to discuss payments when first contacting a contractor. Find out if there are any payment plans you can have or just payment in general. Every contractor will be different. Give Armstrong Home Renovations a call if you would like to learn more about our flexible payment options.
Know your Rights
Unfortunately, there are times where people may find a contractor to help with their home renovations but are not satisfied with the services. In order to protect yourself from these types of situations it’s important to know your rights. Under the Consumer Bill of Rights, here are the main rights you have:
- The right to be informed – you have the right to know exactly what is going into your contract between you and the general contractor.
- The right to fair treatment – you have the right to not be lied to or mislead when it comes to your services
- The right to take action when treated unfairly – If you ever discover you are being treated unfairly, under the Bill of rights you can make a complaint to Service Alberta
- The right to protect your interests – you have the right to practice all of your protections of the Consumer Protection Act
Whether it be kitchen renovations, basement renovations or all of the above, home renovations should be an exciting time so try to not to get too caught up in all the stress of finding a contractor. Find a contractor near you, or head over to our website for a quote.
