Before beginning on a home renovation, home upgrade or any other home project, every homeowner has a vision in mind of how the final picture should look like; the homeowner also has a specific budget that should get the work done. Getting the right contractor who can materialize the vision within the stipulated budget is the harder part of the project.

We have seen cases where a contractor sets a budget to renovate the kitchen, then ends up spending four times the amount estimated at the beginning of the project. We have also seen in the summer when most people are doing home renovation projects, a contractor comes into a neighborhood, signs several contracts with homeowners, then after getting enough money, the contractor disappears with the money, never to be seen again.

So finding a reliable contractor who can materialize the expectations and remain within the budget stipulated at the beginning of the project is the harder part of the project. Here are tips on finding a qualified contractor who can stay with the limits of the budget.

Interview multiple contractors.
Review of contractors and other service providers online is an excellent way of knowing about contractors, but what is even better, is interviewing them one on one, and getting to know them. There is so much that you will learn by interacting with contractors; they can share their experiences and their preferences. Interview at least five contractors and choose the most experienced.

Ask For References.
Getting information from clients and homeowners who have previously worked with contractors on home projects is a great source of information about the contractors. Homeowners will take you to the site where the project was done, the homeowner knows whether the contractor was expensive or not, whether the contractor went beyond the budget or not. Referring to homeowners about the contractors they have worked with is a great source of information about reliable contractors.

Find a realtor.
If you do not know where to start, then find a realtor. Real estate agents know who the best contractors within a particular area. Realtors are so exposed to real estate matters, such that they can connect you to the best contractors. Upnest is a great platform where you can get realtors who are exposed to the most reliable contractors.

Choose the right contractor.
Look for a contractor who is specific to the kind of project that you are looking for. If your neighbor hired a great contractor who did the tiles well, that might not be the contractor to makeover your garage. Get a contractor that has previous experience doing the specific project you want to achieve.

Insurance coverage.
A good contractor should have insurance coverage. When some of the subcontractors are injured while working, they should be covered by the contractor’s business insurance. Failure to have insurance should be a deal-breaker because accidents are part of building. In case an employee is injured, then you might be held responsible.

Be smart about your payment schedule.
Some contractors with a poor reputation will do most of the work and then leave before the project is done, so unless the contractor has completed the job and you are delighted with the work, then do not pay. Make a clear payment schedule where you will be paying in milestones as the project continues.



In a nutshell.
Finding a reputable and qualified contractor is the harder part of the project. A contractor should be able to work within the budget and also complete the project in time. Be wise and follow the steps above, and you will be able to get the best contractor for your home project.