Handy Insight

Before hiring a contractor, make sure they possess all of the credentials needed for your renovation project. One misstep or dropped hammer could spell disaster. Vetting professionals involves getting references and inspecting past work; also important is verifying if they are licensed and insured. 1. Ask for References Vetting contractors can be as straightforward or in-depth as necessary, depending on your preference. Reference checks should be sought so you can gain insight into who the contractor is and their past projects. Look for positive customer reviews and a strong business track record, although gaps don't necessarily equate to poor performance. Inquire how unexpected problems were managed and solved. 2. Look for Licenses and Insurance Making sure a contractor is licensed and insured is one of the most essential steps consumers must take, as doing so ensures they will cover any damages they cause to property. It also gives you an opportunity to evaluate their portfolio and detect any red flags. 3. Check Their Work Hiring ineffective contractors can be extremely expensive. Ineffective contractors may compromise project timelines and put everyone's safety in jeopardy. Ask prospective contractors about previous projects they've worked on so you can assess both their work quality and skill levels, and their approach to work. This will provide some important clues. 4. Ask Questions Asking questions during your vetting process can help you establish whether a contractor is professional and trustworthy. As an example, it would be prudent to inquire as to the procedures they have in place for handling contractual disagreements - this can save both stress and money over time. Make sure you inquire about their work ethic and risk management methods; ask if they will discuss potential problems before beginning a project with them. 5. Look for a Personal Touch Vetting contractors for competence and compatibility is of utmost importance in any ground-up development project. Make sure they can work harmoniously with your team, providing regular updates about their progress while communicating openly about it all. Contractors should take their job seriously and treat you with respect, which will help ensure a smooth project experience. You also want to know they will treat all requests fairly. 6. Look for a Good Fit Contractors play an essential part in many projects. Though they don't bear the same health and safety responsibilities as employees, contractors still must undergo appropriate vetting to ensure safe work practices are in place. Finding the ideal contractor for your company culture and project expectations can be challenging, so taking time to research will help avoid surprises down the line. Communication skills, courtesy, and professionalism should all be qualities worth looking out for when selecting a service provider. 7. Look for a Reputable Company When seeking out contractors, it's essential to do your research on them and their company. Learn the specifics such as when and how long they've been established under what name. Request details on their license, worker's compensation and general liability policies. Reputable contractors will readily provide this information - if they refuse, it's best to move on and seek another candidate. 8. Look for a Good Value Vetting is the process of selecting the appropriate contractor for your project by asking pertinent questions to determine who is most qualified and interested in taking on your work with quality performance. Due diligence also involves conducting checks to confirm facts; for instance, checking whether a job candidate's resume accurately describes all skills they claim they have. Furthermore, due diligence checks could include looking into their credit history and background. 9. Look for a Good Communication Style Vetting is essential to many business processes, including recruitment, hiring and training. Vetting helps to ensure that those you work with are legitimate - preventing potential issues like unauthorised sales of age-restricted goods or inappropriate behavior in the workplace. However, some communication styles can be problematic. Manipulative communicators may bury their true intentions behind layers of deceitful statements; assertive restating can help counter this effect. 10. Look for a Good Fit Contractors can be an essential asset to your business. But with them come additional health and safety obligations that must be considered when hiring them, so make sure your contractors undergo proper vetting processes prior to working together. Do your due diligence by using the vetting process to gauge how candidates manage people, training, risks, hazards and reporting. Customer service traits like courtesy, punctuality and good communication should also be measured during this phase. Doing this will allow you to find an ideal match for your business.

Appreciation Spotlight

The articles provided on HandyPerson.com were useful, timely, and informative. I learned a lot of information that helped have more informed conversations with contractors -- all for free. Thanks, HP!

Alison K., Phoenix, AZ