BACK5 Things to Think About When Hiring Local Contractors
Hiring the right contractor can be a daunting task. Whether renovating your home or starting a new construction project, finding the right professional contractor to work with is the most important thing you can do. From professionalism to trustworthiness, these are things that come up over and over again.
Here are five key things we recommend you think about when considering and ultimately, hiring the right contractor:
1. Professional Contractors
A renovation or new build is a big undertaking that you should take very seriously, we certainly do, and would never recommend otherwise. Professionalism is the cornerstone of any successful contractor-client relationship. When evaluating potential contractors, consider their level of professionalism in various aspects:
IMAGE: Flintstones Showroom
Experience and Expertise:
Look for local contractors with a proven track record in the type of work you need. Expertise builds with experience and ensures that a contractor understands the complexities of the project. If you don’t see what you are looking for, ask for equivalent project examples—a good contractor should be able to explain the relevance and walk you through examples of what they have done already.
References and Reviews:
Check references and read online reviews to gauge the contractor’s reputation. Positive feedback from previous clients is a good sign of your potential contractor’s continued professionalism and reliability.
“We couldn’t be happier with the work we had performed by Flintstones. In addition to their quality work, their professionalism and customer service are second to none. Whether it was the owner, or a front-line worker with a shovel in hand, they were always available to answer my questions and explain things as the work moved along.”
IMAGE: Mark Lane
2. Taking Care of Your Property
Your property is a significant investment, and you want to ensure that it is treated with care and respect during the construction process. When hiring a contractor, consider the following aspects:
Cleanliness:
A good contractor will maintain a clean and organized work environment, minimizing disruption to your daily life and preserving the integrity of your property.
Protection Measures:
Find out how a contractor protects your property during construction. This may include measures like covering floors and furniture, securing work areas, and minimizing dust and debris on your project.
Safety Practices:
Safe and tidy workplaces result in a quality project outcome. Safety should be a top priority for any contractor. Some projects inherently have difficult and potentially dangerous obstacles to overcome including working at heights; working in confined spaces; and working with potentially hazardous materials. The safer the planning and project, the more comfortable the installations and the better the final product. Make sure a contractor addresses safety and adheres to safety regulations.
“The entire team was polite, kind and respectful of our home and family, kept a clean worksite and readily communicated on the progress of the 4-month project. They also took tremendous care of our trees and shrubs that were temporarily moved. We really appreciated their advice and expertise through the design phase of our renovation. Flintstones are sticklers for detail.”
— Liz Matthews
IMAGE: Fernwood
3. Project Communication
Clear and open communication is essential for a successful construction project. Effective communication ensures everyone is on the same page and prevents misunderstandings and project delays. We recommend you consider the following communication factors:
Contractor Availability:
A good contractor should be accessible and responsive to your inquiries and concerns. They should provide you with multiple channels of communication for your project, such as phone, email, virtual or in-person meetings.
IMAGE: Mckenzie
Regular Project Updates:
As a client, it’s important that you are never left in the dark. Professional contractors will keep you informed about the project’s progress: any changes or challenges encountered, the timeline for completion and adjustments to the budget. Regular updates from your contractor will help manage expectations and build trust, ensuring you’re all on the same page and that you are not left with any surprises.
Problem-Solving:
Construction projects often encounter unforeseen issues. A good contractor should be proactive in addressing problems and proposing solutions in a timely manner.
“If you are looking for a contracting company that you can genuinely trust, who have superior people skills and who understand the importance of not only communicating well but also of initiating, following through and following up, then look no further – Flintstones is truly a class act.”
— Jo Roueche
IMAGE: Linkleas
4. Expectations
Realistic and clear expectations are the foundation for a successful contractor-client relationship. Before hiring a contractor, ensure you understand the project scope, timeline, budget, and quality standards clearly. Consider the following expectations for your project:
Project Planning:
Look for a contractor who takes the time to develop a comprehensive plan that outlines the details of your unique build and specific needs. A detailed scope of planning ensures your project will run smoothly and be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. It will iron out any complications or surprises early on in the project and provide clear expectations before construction on your property begins.
IMAGE: Wildflower
Transparency:
A trustworthy contractor will be transparent about all aspects of the project, including costs, timelines, and potential challenges. They should provide you with accurate and honest information to make informed decisions about your property.
Scope of Work:
Changes to the original scope of work are inevitable in construction projects. Ensure that the contractor includes provisions for change orders and clearly defines the process for approving and implementing changes.
IMAGE: Himount
A Clear Process:
Does the contractor have the entire process clearly defined and proven process in place that takes away the uncertainty in what can be a volatile business? They should be able to walk you through how you will work together, creating security throughout the process. Some things to look out for include the contract (the CCDC is industry standard and ensures a proper agreement is created that is written in both parties’ best interests); hold back accounts are set up as per lien and holdback laws in BC; insurance, liability and Workers Compensation Board are all addressed.
“There was always someone available to explain the scope of work and to address any questions we had. Flintstones is a very professional, highly skilled and knowledgeable team as well as being personable and considerate.”
— Kirsten Meincke
5. Your Project Budget
It’s always hard to talk about money, but you and your contractor must be on the same page from the start—you don’t want to waste your time or money. When hiring a contractor, look for someone who doesn’t let you get too far into a project without addressing the budget.
IMAGE: Valdez
Trust:
It’s the foundation of any successful contractor-client relationship. You need to trust that the contractor will deliver quality work on time and within budget.
Time:
Creating a project budget is not a quick or easy job. A realistic budget takes time. A professional contractor might walk you through previous projects that compare to what you want to do to get an estimate for your project. A lot of planning needs to go into creating a realistic budget and that includes doing the background work to find out what is possible on your property and taking time to find out about your design preferences and values.
IMAGE: Coastal Cabana
Choosing a Contractor Who is “All In”:
A contractor should give you realistic expectations, timelines and budgets, not a “ballpark estimate”. Creating a detailed plan, designs and communications for your project is key to a successful outcome and shows that the contractor has committed to successfully delivering your project.
In Conclusion
Hiring the right contractor requires careful consideration of several factors, including professionalism, property care, communication, expectations and trust.
A LOT of factors and skills are required to complete your build project. You must look for a company with the right people in the right seats—don’t expect that one person is an expert in permitting, planning, budgeting, design, project management, administration and finance. Having a team with the right people in the right seats and working with a company that follows a proven process will add value to your experience and deliver consistent results.
