Selecting a Contractor for Home Repairs and Improvements

Home repairs and improvements are often among the most significant activities that homeowners take on during the course of their ownership. Often, homeowners think that finding the cheapest proposal from contractors is the most important strategy to address the repairs or improvements needed. This is often a huge mistake, particularly if the owner is relying on the contractor to develop and propose the construction details for the work.

All repair and improvement work on homes should be based on a preliminary review with a design professional with the architectural, engineering, and construction experience related to the work they need to complete. A professional plan for the work owners seek to do is the basis for an objective review of the contractor’s proposal.

Once owners have completed a review of their repair and or improvement concerns regarding their home with an experienced design professional—who has overseen extensive work related to what the owners wish to address—a preliminary plan should be developed with the design professional as the basis for any and all cost proposals from contractors they contact.

After receiving cost proposals from contractors based on the professional plan developed by the owners and their design professional, owners should review the proposals and select the contractor based on the contractor’s construction history. All contractor proposals, therefore, should include a history of similar work, with at least three previous projects with other owners who can be reached for comments on their experience with these contractors.

Therefore, in addition to the proposed cost review, selecting a contractor should also be based on a review of the history of their construction safety and the quality of the work they completed. Selection of a contractor should also involve a review of the contractor’s accessibility and accountability to previous owners they have worked for. While the quality of the contractor’s work is fundamental in determining who to select, their history of construction safety is also fundamental in deciding who to select: construction accidents during the course of the contractor’s work on homes often also imperils the owners, who become associated in lawsuits.

The selection of a contractor should also be based on the timing essential for the work the owners seek to accomplish. Failure to agree on starting dates, the length of time for the work and its completion can result in delays that create havoc for the homeowner. Owners should require contractors to provide documents illustrating their safety insurance and workers compensation and a history of their previous work and clients.