Are you hiring a contractor for an upcoming home remodeling or renovation project? While the average kitchen remodeling project takes around six weeks, here at Fogle Constructors, we consider contracts to be the beginnings of a lifelong relationship.
You want to choose a contractor you can trust to bring your current vision to fruition and who you can call for years down the road for maintenance, future projects, or repairs.
5 Signs You’re Hiring a Responsible Contractor
Of course, every contractor shows up as responsible when trying to land the contract. So, how does a homeowner know whether or not a contractor is reliable, trustworthy, and accountable once the dotted line is signed and the project is underway?
Here are five signs you’re hiring a responsible contractor:
1. They are Currently Licensed, Bonded, and Insured
A responsible contractor maintains current licensure and is also bonded and insured. Most contractors include license numbers on their websites and business cards. If not, they will share proof of these things with clients upon request.
You can also verify a Florida contractor’s license online. If you want to learn more about their industry reputation, get in touch with the local building department.
2. They Return Your Calls Within a Single Business Day
One of the first things we hear from prospective clients is, “You were one of the only contractors to call us back.” This always takes us by surprise. First and foremost, it’s hard to imagine any professional not returning calls to prospective clients, even if it’s only to say, “I’m sorry, our project calendar is overflowing right now, but we are open to taking new projects beginning on date X.” That’s the right way to business.
While we pride ourselves on craftsmanship and quality construction that lasts a lifetime, we are also proud that we have excellent communication skills. Your contractor should consider you a part of the design/build team and include you in the communication flow. If you aren’t getting calls back or a contractor doesn’t communicate clearly, you can assume that trend will continue for the project duration – and that’s not a setup for a positive experience.
3. They Have Excellent Online Reviews & Recent References
A responsible contractor gets great online reviews because clients value their work ethic and professionalism. Before hiring a local contractor, spend time performing online searches and reading customer reviews on all of the standard review sites: Google, Yelp!, BBB, etc.
In addition to reading a contractor’s reviews, look and see if they are responsive. A contractor who responds – even if a review isn’t ideal – cares about their reputation and values customer service.
You should always ask for at least three recent references as well. Whenever possible, you want to speak with former clients who had similar work done – whether it was a kitchen remodel or a more extensive renovation/addition. Customers speak candidly; if you like what you hear, it’s a great sign.
4. They may not tell you precisely what you want to hear
A responsible contractor is an honest contractor. That means we only tell customers what they want to hear if it’s true. Otherwise, we’re willing to have uncomfortable conversations when necessary so there’s no confusion or unrealistic expectations.
You can expect a responsible contractor to offer straightforward information about the following:
The Budget
Be very careful about choosing “the lowest bid.” You want bids to be as detailed as possible. Many contractors intentionally underbid to get the job and then charge clients for change orders and rising materials costs down the road. Your contractor should be honest about what the project will cost so you can budget accordingly – without shocking surprises.
The Calendar
Yes, there are average timelines for any project based on standards. However, there are things entirely out of our control. There are no guarantees on the date a project is complete. We are honest that timelines are an estimate but that we’re out of control of the final finish dates based on Mother Nature, material supply chains, and other unexpected events (like 2020).
The Architecturally Impossible
Contemporary designs have limitations because we don’t have the same amount of soffit space, trim, and other details used to help hide the necessary (wires, HVAC ducts, plumbing lines, etc.) We’re honest about what’s architecturally possible and what’s not – especially when building a safe home that honors current building codes.
5. You Feel it in Your Gut
If you’re paying attention to your gut instincts, you know exactly which contractor you want to hire for the job. They’re the one you should choose, regardless of whether your friend or relative sings the praises of a contractor who rubbed you the wrong way.
As we started with in the beginning, this partnership should last for many years to come. Every homeowner deserves to align with contractors and subcontractors they trust to take care of their home for a lifetime. That’s exactly what you get when working with a contractor you respect and enjoy working with.
Fogle Constructors Is As Responsible as They Come
Are you ready to design a remodel built by a responsible contractor you can trust? Schedule a consultation with Fogle Constructors. We’re telling it true when we say honesty and clear communication are the two most important things to us. Fogle Constructors shows up, comes prepared, and works to exceed expectations in everything from building materials to customer service. We’d love for you to experience that firsthand.
