Get The Best Work From Your Contractor

To get the best out of a contractor, whether the work you’re having done is a simple paint job or a major remodeling effort, you’ll need to expend some focused effort and diligence. The first step is hiring a contracting firm you feel is capable of providing excellent work. Doing some online research about prospective candidates and talking to friends and family who have had similar work done can help. If possible, actually seeing some examples of a contractor’s work is a good idea. As an alternative, viewing an online photo gallery and reading online testimonials from past clients should be useful.

Be Informed

There’s much you can do to make sure the contractor you hire will perform up to your standards, including reliable government web sites that often provide helpful information. With what’s available on the Internet, you can become a virtual expert before you approach potential contractors. Once you sign on the dotted line, however, you’re into a whole new area now requiring your due diligence. First, when having remodeling work done in your home, you’ll want a contract that spells out every single detail, including:

• Proposed changes that will be made
• Brand names of all materials used/installed and their exact placement

By drawing up a contract so specific that nothing is left to chance, you’ll have documentation if unapproved changes occur or if materials aren’t the quality or quantity agreed upon. Hopefully, you won’t need such documentation because you will have hired a great contractor and you’ll be employing the following tips to get the best out of them.

1) Set up an open line of communication and keep a detailed journal that includes all face-to-face dialog, telephone calls, emails and texts. Documentation of payments and copies of receipts should be kept together in a project file.

2) Establish a daily check-in with your contractor or foreman at the start of each working day. You should also make a check each day after the work crew has gone, making notes about any concerns regarding quality related issues or any discrepancies noted in, for example, specific models of appliances not matching the written agreement.

3) People naturally work better when working for people they like and being friendly toward your contracting crew can go a long way in motivating them to do their best. Greet them in the morning, by name if possible, and make it a point to complement their work if it so warrants. Little things like offering them a snack and setting aside a specific room for rest. Be prompt with agreed upon payments.

4) Pay wisely and promptly. It shouldn’t be necessary to put any more than about 10% down up front. The outstanding amount can be paid in three equal installments but never pay for work that’s not yet done. The final payment should be withheld until the job is completed and a signed release is obtained from all subcontractors stating they have been paid.

There are other tips you can utilize in getting the best from your contractor, but hiring the right contracting firm should help alleviate the need to provide any motivation because the best contractors know exactly what they’re doing and how to do it best.

In the Atlanta area, Brownlow & Sons, is a third-generation new construction, remodeling and painting company, and is held in the highest regard by area residents and right at the top of the list recommended by many. Whether you’re ready to begin a remodeling project or just kicking around some ideas, give us a call or request a FREE Estimate on our website. We’d love to help!