Written by Kat Tancock
Published May 04 | 5 minute read
There's no shortage of decisions when making upgrades to your home. One of the most important? Picking the home improvement provider or contractor who will do the work.
With the right professional, your project is likely to go smoothly. With the wrong one, you're risking challenges such as cost overruns, delays and poor workmanship. And those are problems no homeowner wants to deal with.
In Synchrony’s Lifetime of Home Care study, we learned that homeowners evaluate different factors when selecting a contractor. Of the over 1,500 surveyed, those under age 40 tend to lean towards contractors that are more convenient and offer transparent pricing, as well as easy scheduling and financing options. Whereas homeowners over 50 are more focused on the track record of quality work and licensing, in addition to soliciting referrals and reviews of prior work.
Overall, our Lifetime of Care results find that financing and identifying a quality contractor are top of mind for homeowners. 74 percent of respondents identify cost and contractor trust as top concerns in building confidence for moving ahead with home improvement projects.
So how do you find help that will actually... help? Here, we outline some key qualities to look for when hiring a home improvement contractor.
This isn't to say that professionals newer to the field don't have valuable skills, or that those who've been around aren't capable of making mistakes. But contractors and tradespeople with years of experience have seen a lot, and they've lived to tell the tale. They're likely to be better at predicting costs, for one thing, and spotting those little project oddities that often turn out to be big challenges.
As for those challenges, they've probably seen them before. Just make sure that their experience matches what you're hiring them for—whether you're fixing your roof, renovating your kitchen or upgrading your electrical.
READ MORE: 3 Key Things to Know About the Costs of Homeownership
Think having the right papers isn't as important as having the right skills? In some cases, that might be accurate—but those papers can be extremely helpful in many situations. Licensed electricians, for example, have proven their understanding not just of electrical work in general, but of local laws and safety and quality standards. And liability and workers' compensation insurance help protect the homeowner should an accident happen on-site.
Your state or local licensing board should have a registry you can check, and any reputable contractor should be happy to show you their certificate of insurance.
There's nothing like good old word of mouth. Often the best contractors are the ones referred to you by someone you trust (and ideally, they also have a solid understanding of the home improvement world).
Online reviews and testimonials can be helpful, too. One tip is to check references and review portfolios of previous work; just ask your potential pro for photos and contact info. Watch for red flags such as a lack of references, no recent reviews or an unwillingness to share this information.
READ MORE: 7 Home Renovation Ideas That Offer the Best Bang for Your Buck
Good communication is important throughout a home improvement project. It helps prevent misunderstandings and build trust while ensuring things go smoothly. Plus, transparency is key so that all parties involved have clear expectations on project scope, timeline and costs.
When contractors are responsive and willing to answer questions in the initial phase of your relationship, it's typically a positive sign that they'll continue to be communicative once the project's kicked off.
Verbal agreements and handshakes may feel good, but you can't go back to them later if you can't remember details or need to verify scope and costs. A detailed written estimate outlining exactly what's included in the project and how much it will cost protects both parties and ensures everyone has the same understanding of what will be involved.
Contracts should include a scope of work, timeline, payment schedule and materials list—including who's responsible for what.
READ MORE: 8 Tips To Help You Negotiate With a Contractor
If you're going to upgrade your home, you want to do it right. That means not just quality work, but quality materials, too. Reputable contractors will source reliable materials they trust to stand the test of time, and commit to doing work that's of the highest quality—even offering warranties or guarantees on completed projects. Ask potential contractors how they source materials and ensure their work will last, and be wary of those who are cagey about quality.
Many projects involve not just a single contractor, but a team. That means the person you hire has to be able to manage time, workers and subcontractors efficiently and effectively while keeping the project on schedule and within budget. Not an easy task!
You also want to trust that they'll handle any necessary permits and inspections in a professional manner. When checking references, ask about the quality of the work as well as timelines and budgets. Previous clients might be able to share useful information that helps you make a hiring decision.
READ MORE: Leave It to the Pros: 13 Home Improvement Projects to Hire a Professional For
Doing a good job on the project itself is only one part of the puzzle. The rest involves a few things already discussed, like communication and project management skills, but also behavior and demeanor: showing up on time, respecting the homeowner's space, being considerate of neighbors and keeping a clean and tidy worksite.
Contractors should also demonstrate that they'll honor all agreements and commitments, and indicate how they'll handle disruptions or project changes, should they come up.
When you have a project you want done yesterday, it's tempting to rush into hiring a contractor so they can start as soon as possible. But it's worth taking the time to research and interview potential contractors properly. “Speed to correct a problem and add a home enhancement is something to consider, but performing due diligence on a home improvement partner matters more—taking the time to vet the right contractor upfront can save you time, money and headaches down the road,” says Vince Lowe, Senior Vice President of Home Specialty at Synchrony.
Not only will asking questions and gathering quotes provide you with useful information, but these tasks also serve as a job interview that lets you test out a contractor's soft skills. Instincts do matter—it's not a bad idea to pick someone you click with—but remember to verify facts, too. The right contractor will make your home improvement project shine, so do your due diligence to ensure you hire smart.
Use our handy Home Improvement Locator at SYFPROS.com to find the right contractor for you and enjoy special financing to pay for the project over time. Bring your dream to life today!
Kat Tancock is a freelance writer, editor and translator based in British Columbia, Canada.
The information, opinions and recommendations expressed in 8 Qualities of a Good Home Improvement Contractor are for informational purposes only. Information has been obtained from sources generally believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by our sources, or any other, Synchrony and any of its affiliates (collectively, “Synchrony”) do not provide any warranty as to the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information for its intended purpose or any results obtained from the use of such information. The data presented in the article was current as of the time of writing. Please consult with your individual advisors with respect to any information presented.