Ask the Pro
Interviewing Contractors
It is very important to thoroughly interview any contractor you
consider hiring. It's not good enough to simply ask the contractor if
they can do the job. You need to obtain the following information:
The contractor's "history"-how long they have been in business, their
experience doing jobs like yours and how their company operates (e.g.,
do they have their own staff or regular subcontractors).
References for at least three of the contractor's past customers where
the work was similar to what you are planning.
What they think of your project, particularly what ideas or suggestions
they can offer to make it work better or to get better value for the
money.
Their initial "ballpark" estimate of costs for your project and when it
could be started and finished.
Beyond this specific information, the interview provides you with an
opportunity to determine how you feel about each contractor. It is
important that you have confidence in the contractor you hire and are
able to talk with them easily. The larger and more complex your project,
the more important the relationship between you and the contractor
becomes. In the case of a major renovation project, you can end up with
the contractor and their employees in your home for an extended period,
so you need to be comfortable with whomever you hire.
If, after interviewing a contractor, you find you are not
comfortable talking with them, or they are not able to answer your
questions adequately, they are probably not the right contractor for
you. Don't hire them.
