7 things you need to know before hiring a restoration contractor

Do you have a big home restoration project you need help with?

Are you considering starting a roofing or painting project, but don’t know where to begin?

Before you can get started, you first have to find the best professional for the job.

From experience to materials, there’s lots to unpack. Here is our list of 7 things you need to know before you hire any contractor for your next home project.

1.      Choose A Company with Experience

Experience does matter. Why?

Because whether you’re looking for a roofing contractor, painting pro, or home restoration team, the quality of their work is dependent on their experience.

Enhancing your home in any way often comes with unique challenges.

For example, if you’re planning on adding a new roof, you have to work with someone who knows which products are right for your home. And their decision should be based on experienced insights and a detailed understanding of your property. If it isn’t, their work likely won’t last.

But how much experience is necessary for good, quality work?

That’s a loaded question.

In our experience, even 5 years can provide a solid foundation for minor jobs, but in general, working with a contractor who has decades of experience presents the least risk to your home.

In addition to asking contractors about their experience, you also need to verify that experience with organizations like the BBB.

These organizations help you make a better decision. You can also explore any complaints a contractor may have received along with their rating.

It’s a good idea to work with contractors with a B+ or better rating.

2. Licenses Are Important, But Not Everything

Another important point to consider when hiring a contractor are licenses.

If you read any blog post about hiring a home restoration provider, you’ll get the advice to look at licenses.

That’s good advice. After all, you don’t want to hire a contractor who isn’t qualified to work on, say, your electricity!

Certain licenses are required in New Jersey before a contractor can perform their work. To do home construction, or home repairs, the individual must be a licensed contractor. They are required to register with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, as well.

However, licenses do not reveal the quality of work provided by the contractor.

Instead, they are the most basic element you should expect from any professional in virtually any home construction niche.

You can check the licenses of your potential contractor with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs License Verification.

But be careful not to hinge your choice for a contractor on the licenses that they hold. Instead, make it a basic requirement and consider the rest of what we recommend here.

3. Look For a Home Restoration Contractor Who Does Thorough Work

Once you have done some back research about your home restoration expert, the next step is to dive a bit deeper.

While you’re likely familiar with reviews, you might not know what to shift through to make your decision easier.

One area you might look at is whether or not the reviews reveal how the contractors’ work. And if they do, is their process thorough?

To find this out, look for keywords like ‘detailed’, ‘precise’, ‘helpful’ in the reviews. Customers have nothing to lose, so they offer the most transparent representation of a given contractor.

A word of caution, however, don’t take anyone review as the most important. Weigh the information provided in a group of reviews before you make your decision.

You’ll also want to request several estimates from multiple contractors. This way you’ll get a more holistic picture of what’s available in your area for the services you need.

4. Pinpoint Precisely What You Want

This one is critical.

Many homeowners hire a contractor without a complete picture of what they need or want.

Even if you know you need a new roof, you need to have a clear picture of the type of roof you want. Otherwise, you could get a service you don’t even need. Knowledge is power, and it can help you from overpaying, as well.

Also, different contractors do different things. Do you need to restore your deck? Could you use a roofing contractor to put a new roof on your home?

Understand what you want before you contact a contractor. Keep in mind your budget, too, since that can determine the direction of your project.

To find the right contractor you must know precisely what you require.

5. Conduct Phone Interviews

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of contractors, it’s time to give your contractors a few phone calls.

Your phone interviews should allow you to decipher the best fit for your project.

Some questions to consider asking include:

-What size projects are you capable of taking on? Will mine be too big?

-Would I be able to see a list of your previous clients?

-How long have your subcontractors been working with you?

-Do you have a certain cap on the number of projects you take on at the same time?

These questions touch on very important aspects of a contractor’s work. A quick, 5-minute call should provide you with sufficient answers to these and any other questions you may have.

If they’re hesitant to answer your questions, then you might want to continue your search elsewhere.

6. Request Information About The Materials Used

Most homeowners aren’t experts on the materials that contractors use. However, that doesn’t mean you should go blindly into any home restoration project.

Spend a few minutes or hours researching the best product materials for your project. Think about what is most important to you.

When you get ready to hire a contractor, it’s also critical to request a list of materials that your contractor uses. And be sure to explain which options are available and how you could keep costs low without reducing the quality of the work.

7. Ask About Warranties & What Happens If You’re Unhappy

Even if you have thoroughly vetted your contractor and subcontractor, things do happen. Perhaps the project didn’t turn out quite as you wanted it to. Or maybe you are concerned with the quality of the materials used in your home.

Whatever the case, it’s easy to prevent mishaps by asking upfront what a contractor offers in terms of warranties and customer satisfaction.

For example, at Gikas Contracting, we provide our customers with an exceptional warranty for every job we do. For roofing our warranties are ____________ and for painting, we provide a comprehensive warranty of ____________. Ensuring that your project is completed to your total satisfaction is our number one concern. Nothing short of perfection will do.

After all, your contractor should be 100% committed to completing your job correctly, every time. They should also have a contingency plan if things go south.

We offer both. Our warranties and dedication to your satisfaction ensure that your project is correctly managed, supervised, and executed.

Hire A Professional Home Restoration Team in New Jersey

Your home renovation project deserves expert support. Let our team help you enjoy exceptional results for all your painting, roofing, and special project needs.

Give us a call for a free estimate, today.