Contractors and How You Can Choose a Good One

If you're going to build a new home, add on to an existing one, or accomplish anything else in the realm of construction, you're going to need to deal with contractors. This can be daunting to the homeowner with little or no experience in the field. Any time a layman is put in a position to talk with an expert, the discourse can be unfairly weighted. While this is no problem when dealing with honest, forthright companies, it can become a huge problem when you're dealing with those who aren't so scrupulous. Here are some tips you can use to circumvent the knowledge gap and find a good company.

Referrals

Referrals and recommendations are powerful tools when looking for contractors. Nothing speaks more highly to a company's reputation than a satisfied customer. That is where your search should begin. Look for friends and neighbors who have had work done similar to the project you want to get started. Ask them about the people they used and see what they think of the work that was accomplished. This is a great way to make sure you're getting information that hasn't been filtered through kickbacks, paid testimonials, or anything else that can dilute the issue.

References

References aren't as powerful as recommendations, but you should still make sure any contractors you're thinking of hiring can provide them. This is especially important if you've found these guys through a method other than word-of-mouth. Check to make sure there actually are customers out there who thought so much of the company that they're willing to help them get more business. When you call the references, ask questions. Don't just take, "Oh yeah, they're fine," for an answer. What's "fine" for one customer may not be for another.

Reputation Research

The internet gives you a lot of options when it comes to researching the reputation of the contractors in your area. Look for online reviews and see what people in your community have to say about the company. Keep in mind, of course, that people will be much more likely to fire up their computer if they are angry than if they are satisfied, so you can expect to see some extreme opinions. Still, a pattern of bad reviews (especially if they all tend to hit the same issues) is something to be wary of. You should also check with your local Better Business Bureau chapter and see if any customers have gone so far as to file a public complaint against the company.