Questions To Ask Your Contractor Before They Start Renovations

If you plan on hiring a contractor for renovations to your home, then you already no doubt know that it can be overwhelming when you hire a contractor to renovate your home or even part of your home due to all the nuances and factors that go into picking the right one.

Thankfully, there is one easy way that both you and your contractor can start the project on the same page: asking questions before the project begins. The following are the most important questions you should ask your contractor before they start renovations on your home.

Do you have a license and insurance?

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you never know! Always ask your contractor whether or not they have their license and whether or not they are insured; ask to see a copy of their license and insurance just to make sure that everything is above board. Your contractor will also be expected to provide their insurance and licensing information in a quote.

Do you have any recent local building permits?

Another important question to ask is whether or not they have recently submitted any local building permits; this will help you find out whether or not your contractor has experience in the nearby area and whether or not they are familiar with various bylaws and building codes that will impact their work. When you can, make sure you work with contractors who are familiar with the local area, as this means they will be less likely to accidentally overstep their bounds or violate local ordinances.

Do you specialize in any renovations?

Contractors will typically specialize in at least one renovation, though some contractors can specialize in more than one area depending on their skill level and overall experience. Ask the contractor about their specializations so that you can make sure you hired the right person for the job. Finding the right fit for your custom kitchen, bathroom, basement, or home addition can make or break a great result.

Are there any references I can talk to?

Contractors should be able to give you at least a few references that are available for contact, either through phone, email or some other form of communication. These references should ideally be past clients so that you can call them and find out how they felt about the contractor’s work on their job; however, it doesn’t hurt to contact other references such as the contractor’s supplier as well.

Can you provide me with a written quote?

Be wary of a contractor unless they can provide you with a written quote for their work before the project begins. While some discussion may be necessary in regards to leaving the quote open in case circumstances change, your contractor should be able to provide you with a solid written quote that contains the following information: confirmation of insurance and licensing, warranty information, work schedule, payment schedule, and a full description of the work that will be done.

If you are looking for help on how to get started or need some renovation questions answered, be sure to contact Golden Acre Renovations. Our team has over 20 years of experience working on high-end custom home renovations in Calgary, AB and surrounding areas.