A Sign of a Good Contractor
A quality contractor is the key to any successful project. Knowing what to look for will help you avoid costly mistakes and make for a successful outcome.
Do your homework! Ask questions and check that your contractor can provide you with the following:
A substantial list of references that must include past clients of from 2 to 5 years, as well as current clients.
A detailed contract. A contract that is too ‘vague’ could lead to many headaches and unexpected costs throughout a project.
Ensure Assure you that they carry all necessary licenses and insurances.
Ensure Assure you that they have WSIB coverage as well as their sub-contractors.
Ensure Assure you that they are knowledgeable.
Watch out Beware of the contractor who makes any suggestion or insinuation to do your project without required permits, or wants you to ‘pay cash’ to receive a lower cost to pay for your project, or avoid the HST.
With a professional renovator that has all licenses, insurance coverage and liability insurance in place, their company’s overhead will be increased and therefore will not be the cheapest of any bids you receive. Ensuring any sub-contractors that they work with to be reputable and fully licensed is also important.
A contractor who comes across as ‘professional’ but does not follow correct protocols, such as obtaining appropriate permits, may be cheaper but you are putting your project at risk. It can cause headaches down the road if the project is not being done to code and end up costing you much more than if you had done it right the first time!
What can one expect from Probuilt over the cheaper contractor:
Professional sub-contractors who are licensed and fully warrantied.
Project timeline duly documented and provided to the client so they are aware of the start and finish of their project.
Full communication between contractor and client due to support staff both on site and at office level.
Full streamlining of a project.
Professional processes and procedures ensures a relatively stress-free renovation project, opposed to the ‘contractor and his truck’ showing up at will.