Building contractors near you

Finding the right contractors can be a key factor in a successful project. Unfortunately, you can also find the wrong contractor and end up with problems including unfinished work, extra costs, or issues with workers.

For large projects, contractors work with the construction company, oversee materials and obtain necessary permits. Due to safety concerns, projects that require city permits often demand a contractor be involved.

Coming up with a budget and sticking to it is one of the most important things you’ll do with your contractor. Communication is key to making it work. You should also build in a “cushion”, so unexpected changes don’t catch you unprepared.

 

Tips for hiring home contractors

• Do your research. Talking to friends and family for referrals is a great first step to hiring anybody. Once you have a few possibilities, search for them at BBB.org to see their Business Profiles. You’ll be able to read their history of complaints as well as verified Customer Reviews. You can also search for them online along with words like “complaint” or “review” to see what people are posting about them.
• Get multiple quotes. Ask each business you are considering for a quote and make sure you are comparing at least three, so you have a variety of responses. Make sure each business considers the same criteria for the project and don’t automatically go with the lowest bid. Be especially cautious if one bid is considerably lower than the others – that contract may be cutting corners or may not understand the scope of the project.
• Contact references. It may be tempting to skip contacting the contractors’ references and making a decision based on the information they provide you but talking to previous local customers can be invaluable. Ask the references about the quality of the work and their overall experience. Ask if the contractor completed the project on-time and on-budget. In a best-case scenario, you may even be able to see the contractors’ work in person. Another factor in vetting a contractor is whether or not they are a member of a professional association with a stated code of ethics or standards.
• Get everything in writing. Always get written estimates and never start any project without a signed contract. The contract should include the schedule, the budget, a description of the work, and payment arrangements. It should also specify who needs to obtain necessary permits and who will clean-up. Never sign an incomplete contract or a contract with anything you don’t understand. When you have finished paying for the work, make sure you get a written receipt.
• Check the contractor’s license and insurance. Make sure the company you are working with has the required licenses and insurance to work in your state or province. In the United States, check The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) for your state’s licensing agency to learn more. In Canada, search for information specific to your province. Make sure you confirm information from your contractor with their carrier.
• Confirm building permits. Who gets permits and who pays for permits should be detailed in your contract. Ask that all inspections are completed before you make your final payment.
• Ask about a lien waiver. In the United States, a lien waiver says your contractor has paid all suppliers and subcontractors. In some Canadian provinces, there is a mandatory Builders Lien holdback, so make sure you understand your financial responsibilities.
• Determine payment schedules. Do not pay for your project upfront. Arrange a schedule that staggers your payments and make sure your final payment is not due until the work is finished and inspected. Never pay cash. Use a credit card or write a check to a company, not an individual person.
• Keep the paperwork. Hold on to your contract and receipt for future reference.

 

For more information

See BBB's tips on hiring a contractor. 

Visit BBB's home HQ for more home tips.