Are you looking for a Michigan contractor to work on your home, but aren’t sure where to start?
Hiring the right contractor for your project depends on doing the proper research. That way, you can feel confident that they will do a great job before you spend your hard-earned money.
To help you out, we’ve put together a guide to make sure you hire the perfect contractor for your project.
Here’s what you need to know before getting started.
Make Sure They’re Insured
Make sure the contractor has the proper insurance to protect their workers. Otherwise, you could be liable for any work-related injuries that happen on your property. This means that you risk having to pay for an injured worker’s medical bills.
A responsible contractor will have the proper insurance before accepting any jobs. If a contractor isn’t insured, treat this as a red flag and move onto the next one.
Make Sure They’re Licensed
Be sure to check that a contractor’s license is current and with the state of Michigan. A license is proof that the contractor is knowledgeable and experienced.
If a contractor isn’t licensed, search for a different contractor who’s more dependable.
Check With the Better Business Bureau
The (BBB) helps homeowners find honest contractors. The BBB gives each contractor a rating, with A+ being the highest.
Past clients can also leave reviews on the BBB website. This can help you determine if a contractor is the right fit for the home improvement project you have in mind. It can also help you spot red flags before getting further involved.
Ask for Recent Work References
A reputable company should be able to provide you with a list of homeowner references for you to check up on.
When they give you their references, don’t take their word for it. It’s worth taking the time to check them out for yourself. That way, you’ll be able to gain valuable insights into the contractor’s work ethic. You’ll also learn a lot about the quality of their customer service.
Also, make sure that the references are recent. If a company has recently come under new management, the quality of their work could change as well.
Ask About Experience That’s Relevant to Your Project
who has done jobs similar to yours. For example, choose a basement contractor if you’re interested in a finished basement. Someone may be a great contractor for kitchens but not have the experience for basements. Likewise, some contractors specialize in exterior work to the home, such as roofing and siding.
It always pays to do your research. If you hire someone inexperienced, you may have to hire another company to fix their mistakes. This will cost you more money in the long run.
Throw Out the Lowest Bid
We understand that you have a budget. But at the same time, it’s a red flag when a contractor gives you a bid that’s much lower than their competition. This could mean that the contractor is desperate for work and/or is willing to cut corners. Not good!
An honest contractor will give you a bid that’s accurate with a reasonable profit margin.
Contact Eikenhout for Quality Building Supplies
Eikenhout is a building supply company with ten Michigan locations. As such, we’d be more than happy to help you discover quality products for your next project. We’re proud to serve both homeowners and professional contractors.
To learn more about our inventory, please call any of our ten locations. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
