When you’re getting ready to remodel or renovate your old house, you spend hours poring over options for countertops, floors, and other details — but you probably spend far less time thinking about how to choose a contractor for renovation. However, your choice of contractor matters as much as — if not more than — all of the other details you’re thinking about. After all, you’ll need to live with the work they do long after the project ends, so picking the right company is essential.
With so many contractors out there, how do you know where to start and what to look for? Don’t worry… our renovation professionals have got you covered! Here’s what you need to know about how to choose the right contractor, as well as a few warning signs about what to avoid.
Step 1: Determining the Potential Contractors You Need
Like any business, not all contractors are the same. Some have specific areas of focus or only work in a certain geographic area. Before you get too deep into your search, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for in a contractor. A few questions to ask yourself while looking for a good contractor include:
- What’s my project budget?
- Am I under any time constraints?
- What areas of the house will the remodeling project focus on?
- Do I have a specific design in mind, or are you looking to the contractor for recommendations?
If you’re not sure exactly what you want, err on the side of a general contractor. All Trades is a one-stop shop for kitchens, bathrooms, painting, and anything else you need as part of a partial or whole-house renovation. We can assist with everything from lighting to flooring, whether we’re working with a design you specify or helping you think through your options before making a final decision for your project.
Step 2: Narrowing the Field of Reputable Contractors
The next step in how to select a contractor is narrowing the field. Begin your search by asking friends and family for their recommendations, good and bad. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and dive deeper into specific areas like price and professionalism. Unlike an online review, talking to someone in person also allows you to see the work that a contractor has done firsthand. Even in the age of Google reviews and Angie’s List, the best contractors often come from word-of-mouth recommendations. It’s one thing to read a review by an anonymous person online, but something else entirely to hear about someone’s real-life experience with a contractor.
Once you’ve talked to your friends and family members, you can take the information you receive and compare it to a contractor’s online reviews, project gallery, and website information. Once you’ve found a few viable options, ask for references and check them as part of the decision-making process. At All Trades, we take pride in providing the best possible experience to all of our customers. Our customer testimonials demonstrate our commitment to providing a high level of service, no matter how large or small the project may be.
Step 3: Ensuring You Choose a Trustworthy Contractor
Another important thing to do during the contractor selection process involves watching out for red flags. Beware of these issues:
No License or Insurance Coverage
Whether you’re doing minor renovations or you’re completely overhauling your house, don’t even think about hiring a contractor until they can prove they are licensed and carry adequate insurance coverage for your project. The right contractor will be familiar with the process for obtaining all the necessary permits in your city or town, understand relevant local building codes for remodeling projects, and provide proof of insurance in whatever state they are working in. If your contractor of choice can’t give you a straight answer about their licensure and insurance coverage, run for the hills!
Unprofessional Behavior
A good contractor behaves with professionalism and courtesy. If at any point a potential contractor does not want to comply with what you’re asking for, treat it as a major red flag and stop considering them immediately. Shady behavior at the early stages of the process usually does not bode well for what will happen during most projects. Chances are, if potential contractors show up late constantly, make lots of excuses, and can’t explain cost options or show proof of past projects, then that’s likely how your job will go — poorly and with extra stress that you don’t need.
Poor Communication
Another big red flag to look for when hiring a contractor is lack of communication or a non-transparent communication style. Regardless of your contractor’s experience and knowledge of building codes, if it’s difficult to get them to answer phone calls when you just need a cost estimate or have a question, it’s a bad sign. We’ve all seen those home improvement project TV shows where a contractor “ghosts” their clients and simply stops showing up to the job site. You do not want to find yourself in the position of starting your entire project over because a potential contractor left you hanging. Good contractors communicate clearly, whether they’re answering questions about insurance, providing information about materials, or suggesting a better idea to solve a problem during your project.
Financial Issues
Be wary if a contractor asks for a large down payment before starting work on a project. A small portion of the total cost up front is standard, but anything more than that may be an indication of financial problems with the business. This is another situation where it can be useful to compare quotes and check references. The right general contractor will be transparent about project cost and pricing and able to explain every line item on the contract.
Gut Feeling
Don’t be afraid to trust your gut when hiring a contractor for your home improvement project. If something doesn’t seem right to you, it’s probably for a good reason. There are plenty of local contractors out there, so don’t feel like you need to make an immediate decision after only speaking to one contractor. A reputable contractor will be there to guide you and to care about you, and that’s a vibe that sometimes can’t be put into words. It’s a connection and a sense that your needs are put ahead of theirs.
Step #4: Making a Final Decision
Green flags also matter during the process of finding reputable contractors. Our general contractors at All Trades have a process and a plan to make your home renovation project easy, and we specialize in high-quality work that will wow you. Consider these questions before hiring one (or several!) contractors for your renovation:
- Did the contractor have the plans and pricing ready when they promised them?
- Did the company set the next appointment and communicate openly about the project timeline?
- Do they offer clear cost options/payment schedule options and price transparency?
- Does the company provide information about how they handle applicable building permits for home renovations?
- Can I view their recently completed similar projects for previous clients?
- Do they work with high-quality materials and equipment?
- Do they follow industry standards for safety and property damage protection?
- What’s their standard practice for handling unexpected issues, such as supply chain delays or changes in materials?
Finally, before starting your project, make sure the contractor you’re considering puts everything into a comprehensive contract, including the agreed-upon payment terms, costs for labor and materials, if they plan to pay subcontractors for any of the work, the estimated project timeline, and other important details. Always read the contract in full before signing it, and don’t hesitate to ask your contractor questions if something doesn’t seem clear. You don’t want to have any surprises once work begins — and a good contractor will make sure that there aren’t any.
Speak With a Skilled General Contractor Today!
Now that you know a little more about how to choose a general contractor, go forth with confidence and explore your options! You’ll know when you’ve chosen the right contractor when you experience a wonderful blend of communication, design, aesthetics, transparent costs, craftsmanship, and professionalism, and the finished product looks as good as — or better than — you imagined!
At All Trades Contracting, our reliable contractor crew serves homeowners throughout NJ. With professional licensure, insurance coverage, and years of experience on previous projects, we are ready to help you achieve the desired results for any project, whether large or small. If your old house needs some TLC, call our company or contact us online to schedule service, and see why so many customers agree that we’re the best contractor team in the business!