Checking Contractor References? Ask the Right Questions?
You have probably heard people say that its important to check references before hiring a general contractor in Quincy, MA or anywhere else for that matter. The reason is simple. Checking references can give you the assurance you need that the contractor is skilled and reliable. What people forget to tell you when recommending reference checking is the specific questions to ask the contractors previous clients.
Its always good to be a cautious consumer. For example, you want to verify the contractor is licensed and bonded according to state laws. You will also want to make sure the contractor has workers compensation insurance. But when it comes to checking references, what are you checking exactly?
A professional and honest contractor will give you a list of references and contact information. Before contacting any of them, the first thing you should do is a general search on the internet. Comments posted about the general contractor can net you important information and guide you on some of the questions you want to ask references.
Dont Be Shy About Asking Questions
Once you check the internet, its time to contract references by phone or email. Its amazing how many people dont bother to check references when hiring a remodeler. They ask for the references and then never get around to actually verifying the reliability, honesty and skills of the general contractor. Dont be shy about asking the previous customers questions because this is your chance to get information about the contractors qualifications and skills before any work is done.
The questions you can ask the customers of a general contractor in Quincy, MA should focus on the contractors ability to do the work in a professional manner. Professionalism is important because you are inviting someone into your home and trusting that the work will be done as agreed and in a way that leads to a good final product. A lot of faith is placed in a contractor once a job starts.
Following are the type of questions to ask references:
>> Did the contractor adhere to the work schedule?
>> Did the contractor or the employees show up for work as agreed?
>> Were the workers skilled?
>> Was the job site kept clean and tidy?
>> Did the contractor supply all of the materials required in the agreement?
>> Were there any communication problems between the customer and the contractor?
>> Was everything provided and installed according to the job estimate and agreement?
>> Did cost overruns occur? Why?
>> Were you able to ask questions and get good answers?
>> Were you informed of project changes before the work was completed?
>> How would you rate this contractor in general?
>> Would you agree to hire the general contractor in Quincy, MA again?
Its not enough to know a contractor is licensed and insured. You also need verification that the person doing your home improvement in Quincy, MA will manage the job professionally and per agreement. One of the best ways of accomplishing this is to check references and ask plenty of questions.
Its always good to be a cautious consumer. For example, you want to verify the contractor is licensed and bonded according to state laws. You will also want to make sure the contractor has workers compensation insurance. But when it comes to checking references, what are you checking exactly?
A professional and honest contractor will give you a list of references and contact information. Before contacting any of them, the first thing you should do is a general search on the internet. Comments posted about the general contractor can net you important information and guide you on some of the questions you want to ask references.
Dont Be Shy About Asking Questions
Once you check the internet, its time to contract references by phone or email. Its amazing how many people dont bother to check references when hiring a remodeler. They ask for the references and then never get around to actually verifying the reliability, honesty and skills of the general contractor. Dont be shy about asking the previous customers questions because this is your chance to get information about the contractors qualifications and skills before any work is done.
The questions you can ask the customers of a general contractor in Quincy, MA should focus on the contractors ability to do the work in a professional manner. Professionalism is important because you are inviting someone into your home and trusting that the work will be done as agreed and in a way that leads to a good final product. A lot of faith is placed in a contractor once a job starts.
Following are the type of questions to ask references:
>> Did the contractor adhere to the work schedule?
>> Did the contractor or the employees show up for work as agreed?
>> Were the workers skilled?
>> Was the job site kept clean and tidy?
>> Did the contractor supply all of the materials required in the agreement?
>> Were there any communication problems between the customer and the contractor?
>> Was everything provided and installed according to the job estimate and agreement?
>> Did cost overruns occur? Why?
>> Were you able to ask questions and get good answers?
>> Were you informed of project changes before the work was completed?
>> How would you rate this contractor in general?
>> Would you agree to hire the general contractor in Quincy, MA again?
Its not enough to know a contractor is licensed and insured. You also need verification that the person doing your home improvement in Quincy, MA will manage the job professionally and per agreement. One of the best ways of accomplishing this is to check references and ask plenty of questions.
