8 Things to Know Before Hiring a Contractor

8 Things to Know Before Hiring a Contractor

As time goes by, the house we live in will inevitably require expansion or may deteriorate. It may be time to hire a contractor or a professional tradesperson to help repair and renovate a second-hand home to restore its beauty. Often, homeowners and contractors face issues during construction, such as being cheated or having misunderstandings, leading to unsatisfactory results. These are problems no one wants to encounter, as they waste time and money. TerraBKK would like to recommend 8 things to know before hiring a contractor to establish a basic understanding before proceeding with the hiring process:

1. Don’t Expect Perfection, but Expect Quality

Homeowners often expect contractors to deliver perfect and flawless work. However, in any job, perfection is unattainable, especially in skilled trades like painting, tiling, or any work that doesn’t involve machinery. If there are minor imperfections that are not noticeable, you shouldn’t let them cause unnecessary problems. Instead, focus on whether the overall quality of the work is good and worth the price.

2. Check the Contractor's Credibility

To ensure peace of mind when hiring a contractor, you should check their history and past work. It’s advantageous to ask previous homeowners who have used the contractor’s services about their experiences and satisfaction with the work.

3. Safety at Home is a Shared Responsibility

While safety on the construction site is indeed the contractor's responsibility, homeowners also have a role to play, such as providing a conducive space for construction. It’s advisable to choose a contractor who has insurance for their workers to ensure the safety of property, homeowners, and contractors alike.

4. Ensure the Contractor is Suitable for the Job

There are many types of trades, including painting, decoration, structural work, or internal system installation, each requiring different specialists. Even within the same type of work, different materials may necessitate different skills. For example, a tiler may not be adept at laying parquet flooring. Therefore, it’s essential to select a contractor and tradespeople appropriate for the specific job.

If you want to avoid problems later or unnecessary delays, specify from the outset what work needs to be done, along with other details such as material specifications, desired designs, and deadlines for project completion. All these details can be elaborated upon when drafting the contract.

6. Consider Payment Installments

One of the most crucial aspects of hiring a contractor is agreeing on the payment details, including how many installments there will be and the amount for each. It’s advisable not to pay a deposit upfront; instead, allow the work to commence before making a payment, starting with about 30% of the first installment to prevent abandonment of the project.

7. Understand the Grades of Materials

When signing a contract with a contractor, specifications for construction materials are agreed upon. Some may allow the contractor to procure materials themselves for convenience. However, homeowners should verify that the materials purchased meet the agreed specifications. For instance, if it was agreed to use grade A white pearl tiles, ensure that what is actually purchased is not grade B. Homeowners should have some knowledge to check that the materials installed by the contractor match the initial specifications.