How to Hire the Right Contractor

As one of  the top Naperville window, roofing and siding companies, Carmody Construction understands that we are in a very competitive market. As home and business owners  you have literally dozens of choices when it comes to siding, windows and doors, roofing and remodeling contractors.

It’s not always easy to pick the right company to handle your job, especially if your quotes all come in at about the same price. However, there are definitely some things to keep in mind before making your final decision, including:

Talk, talk, talk

Who do you trust the most? Family and friends, right? Ask everyone who’s willing to answer what local contractors they’ve used and their experience with those companies. You can also talk to local experts like lumberyard employees or home inspectors. They normally have a pretty good idea of the most-trusted contractors.

Pick up the phone

Once you have narrowed down a list of 8-10 potential contractors for your home improvement job, start calling each and asking them a pre-written list of questions like: Will they take jobs of your size? Do they use subcontractors? Can they provide a list of those subcontractors? Can they provide financial references? Can they provide references from a list of previous and current clients? Can they point you to online reviews? If they can’t answer simple questions such as these, it’s time to move on to the next number on your list.

Set a meeting

Narrow your list to a handful of finalists, then ask them to visit your home for an in-person meeting. First, they’ll need to take a look at the scope of the job. Next, you’ll want to probe a little further into their background. Trust your instincts if you think someone isn’t answering you truthfully or completely.

Check with the BBB

From your list of finalists, check the companies against their ratings with The Better Business Bureau. This is the No. 1 agency where consumers can lodge complaints against contractors.  If you see a rating that isn’t satisfactory to you, move on.

Check those references

After you’ve collected some references, try your best to visit any current job sites. Are the sites well-maintained? Are the workers on site hard at work? Are they making a mess? If you can’t answer these questions satisfactorily, consider these red flags.

Get detailed bids

No matter the size, any construction job should include a detailed bid. If a contractor can’t give you his best estimates on labor costs, materials and time to complete the project in a timely manner, it’s time to look for another company. Detailed bids are your right, and they serve as protection against cost and labor overruns.

Beware of the best deal

Any contractor can tell you they will undercut the price of their competition. However, just because a contractor is the cheapest doesn’t mean they’ll be the best. Bottom-dollar contractors often cut corners and use sub-standard materials. Everyone loves a bargain, but don’t let the price dictate your final decision.

Get a contract

If your contractor isn’t willing to sign a legal contract for the work, walk away. This is a sign that the company has no interest in backing up their work or holding true to items agreed upon during the bidding process, including a timeline set for completion.

As you can see, there is a lot that goes into hiring the right contractor. At Carmody Construction we believe in transparency and provide our customers with detailed bids and references. We also encourage everyone to visit our BBB page to find out more about our A+ rating.

For a free consultation from a Naperville-area contractor you can trust, call us today at (630) 355-0002.