Whether you’ve outgrown your home, your children need a daylight basement to play in, or it’s time for a much needed kitchen renovation, remodeling your home is a significant investment. Homeowners invest not only their money but also their time, comfort, and security when deciding to begin a new project.

Regardless of what you want to achieve or how much you want to invest, always choose a company you trust with a proven track record. Construction projects primarily occur in your home, so it’s essential to work with a contractor that you can trust and know will get the job done right.

Before starting your next project, here are 6 tips to consider when choosing the right contractor.

1. Read Up On Testimonials

The golden rule in business is, “People do business with people they trust.” That’s why most homeowners start their search for the right contractor through friends and family. Gauging the types of experiences your connections have had with a local contractor can help you determine what you’re looking for in your own project. But don’t stop there, explore their website, Google, Houzz, and social media to see what your local neighbors have to say too!

2. Preview Their Portfolio

Once you’ve assembled a list of contractors, we recommend doing some preliminary research, whether it’s with a phone call or a visit to the contractor’s website. This allows you to learn more about the company or person you are looking into hiring and get a better sense of their portfolio and skillset.

Finding photos of recently completed projects can help you determine the quality of their work, skills, and capabilities. Their portfolio can also provide inspiration for your project and help narrow down your wants. If you can’t find any photos online, don’t hesitate to ask!

3. Look For Association Membership and Certifications

The best remodelers are known for their dedication to quality and customer service. Maintaining the required licenses from state and local municipalities, along with designations from any professional associations, is a sign that your contractor is committed to their craft.

A few credible associations that we are proud to be members of are the National Association of Home Builders (NABH), one of the largest trade associations in the U.S., representing the interests of developers, home builders, contractors, and associated businesses, Metro Harrisburg Builders Association, and the Pennsylvania Builders Association.

4. Be Transparent

The best relationship is based on clear communication. Keeping your wants and budget top of mind will help streamline the process and ensure that you get everything you dreamed of out of the build.

5. Interview Potential Candidates

After researching candidates, we recommend scheduling meetings to talk to them one-on-one to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have. A few questions to ask during the interview process include:

• How long have you been in business?
• Do you have a contracting license and proper insurance for review?
• What’s the timeline for the project?
• What does the payment schedule look like?

Like any good meeting, it’s important to take notes to reference later. These notes can include their answers to your questions, but don’t forget to note the non-verbal queues as well, such as their attentiveness to the conversation and how engaged they are. These can indicate how your relationship will develop as you work together.

6. Get Everything In Writing

Once you choose a remodeler, take a look at the documents he or she has prepared. Do they look professional? Scrutinize the contract, is it clear and concise? Make sure it includes key points such as:

• The site plan
• Specifics about the scope of work
• Sequential schedule of primary construction tasks
• Dispute resolution clause

If everything checks out, you can sign on the dotted line with confidence.

Here at G.P. Harris Renovations & Remodeling, we’re fortunate to have a talented design team! Since 2003, we have been steadily moving forward in our communities as the go-to, never-fail contractor. We hope that when you are ready to make your dreams a reality, our ethics, loyalty, and desire to work harder and smarter on behalf of our customers give us the opportunity to work with you!

We are looking forward to figuring out with you how we can create the home you’ve been wanting. If you have any questions or are ready to get started, please contact us!