You are about to embark on a big project in the home and seek bids from contractors. Knowing the estimated cost for the work is important, sure, but what about other aspects of the plan?
Setting expectations before accepting a bid on a home project is just as important. Having a clear understanding of how and when the contractor will work should be helpful to plan your life around the pending job.
That’s why it’s vital to ask the right questions before you say “yes!” to any big project. Here are a dozen (or more) questions that will help establish a clearer picture of what to expect in the coming weeks.
1. Tell me about your business – how long have you been working as a contractor and do you have any affiliations (such as with a union or chamber of commerce)?
2. Do you have examples of similar past work?
3. Will you provide a warranty for services and materials?
4. Do you have references that I can contact? (If not, why not?)
5. Are you, your business and others working on the job licensed by the state? And are you and your colleagues bonded and insured? (Washington has a helpful registry of licensed contractors to help research companies and individuals.)
6. Who exactly will be doing the work – people directly working with your business or subcontractors? (If it’s the latter, who will oversee them?)
7. In a written and signed estimate, can you provide as much detail as possible about the work to be completed? What does the estimate not include – municipal fees, transportation costs, overtime, taxes – and is there a cap on costs?
8. What does a typical workday look like and will you share a project timeline?
9. How should we work together on accessing the property? (Typically, only the main contractor gets a key, which is put in a lockbox and securely attached to an outdoor fixture like a door handle, or is given the security code to enter – assuming you are not always going to be home.)
10. What concerns about the project do you have – obtaining permits, supply issues, labor shortage, finding the time to do the work around other commitments?
11. How should we keep in touch – text, email, phone call?
12. How do payments work?
Bonus Question: Will you clean up after each day’s work? That last one may sound like a no-brainer – or even a dig at the individual – but it’s only asked to confirm there is a mutual understanding of how you expect the place to appear after the contractor leaves for the day. And be sure contractors respect local ordinances for noise and working off-hours.
Don’t be afraid to pose each of these questions and preferably ask them in person. Watch for body language and eye contact – or lack thereof – to try and determine if the contractor is being truthful or embellishing the responses.
To have the best chance of success and reduce surprises, ask all the questions you can think of. If you’re not satisfied, interview additional contractors until you find the best fit.
Remember: It is your home and you are the consumer seeking professional services. In the end, you will be happier that you followed through and got the answers first.
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RESOURCE
Potential Costs Tied to Selling a Seattle/King County House in 2022