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Top 8 Questions You Should Ask for Potential Contractor

Are you considering getting some work done around your home? Maybe you need some flooring put in? Or perhaps you have a much larger job, such as rewiring a home you are flipping? Whatever your needs are, there are always a few key bits of information that you should get from your would-be contractor. If you haven’t spent much time dealing with contractors then it can be difficult to understand the types of questions you should be asking in order to ensure you are getting the best deal and everything will go forward as planned. If you think you might need some help remembering some key questions to ask your potential contractor, then read on. This article will help outline some of the main considerations and variables that you should bring up when discussing plans with your contractor so as to get a reliable construction estimate. By being preemptively aware of the questions you should ask, you will be more confident and in a better position to get a more fair quote for your project.

1. What is their specialty?

Just as everyone has a favourite colour, most contractors have a specific trade which they enjoy the most or feel is their strong point. Finding a contractor who specializes in whatever job you need done can help make sure that you get the best quality work done for the most affordable price. Sometimes if a contractor is very high in demand for a certain trade, they can increase their hourly rates, which might also affect how much you pay for a service that might not be their specialty. For example, if someone is a master carpenter they may charge upwards of $100 per hour for their work. This means that if you hired that same carpenter to fix your plumbing for $100 an hour, you would be making a mistake because plumbing is not their specialty, but you pay the rate they would make if they were working a carpentry job even though they aren’t. 

2. What is their working range?

Many contractors based businesses are made of families or small crews, who tend to all live within the same geographic region. Often contractors will charge a premium or higher travel costs if they are required to leave their usual area of work. Luckily if you are looking for a general contractor Mesa AZ then there are a variety of online resources to help guide you to a certified and trusted contractor who will get the job done. It can be hard to find a trusted contractor, but utilizing online resources can help provide easy feedback about any contractor, so you will know what kind of quality service to expect. 

3. What is their turn around time

Sometimes contractors get bogged down by an excessive amount of jobs. This is especially true in the summer months when many people attempt renovations and other jobs on their properties. If a contractor has a bunch of jobs booked already then they will likely not be able to get to finishing your before those other jobs are finished.

4. What is their price range

Price range can vary depending on the type of work and length of the job. Be sure to inquire with a number of contractors to get competitive pricing.

5. Do they have examples of past work?

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If your contractor can bring you to a home they have worked on before, or show you pictures of previously finished products, then it can take a huge load off and let you be confident in their capabilities to deliver quality work.

6. Do they have any references or testimonials?

It is very common in the contracting industry to have referrals or testimonials be the main source of work for contractors. 

7. What does their contract look like?

Be sure to always thoroughly inspect any contract before signing. You could have a lawyer or another contractor inspect the contract to make sure there are no loopholes or issues. 

8. Are they willing to negotiate aspects of their contract? 

Most good contractors are willing to negotiate their contractual terms within reason. Beware that some bigger companies will have set contracts and pricing, whereas smaller businesses have more fluctuation and flexibility to their contracts. 

Hopefully, this article has been helpful and informative in regards to the top 8 questions that you should ask your potential contractor before beginning any project or signing a contract. It can be tricky breaking into the world of contractors, but it doesn’t have to be a process that you go through alone. These questions should provide you a good starting point to facilitate some useful discussions about your project that will help your contractor cater the experience to your needs, and provide (hopefully) the best value for your money.