We’ve all been in a situation where we needed to have kind work done on or around a home. If you aren’t related to someone you trust who can do the work for you, you need to find someone else to do it. Finding the right person or company to do any work at your home can sometimes feel like a risk. Consider this checklist for choosing a contractor to help you with the work you need to have done.
How long have they been doing business locally?
It’s important to know how long someone has been in the area. There have been times, during tornadoes or bad weather, that contractors have been known to pull up stakes and go where the temporary business is. There is nothing wrong with someone wanting to help in a time of need, but where will they be if a problem occurs? Because they weren’t local, they are nowhere to be found.
What kind of guarantee do they offer?
You need to know what course of action you have in the event that things don’t quite work out the way you thought they were supposed to. Can you get a guarantee in writing? You need something to protect yourself in the event that the work that was done, was not done right or when unforeseen complications arise.
Who will be doing the work? 
Many times the “salesman” is not the one who physically does the work. People buy people. You might choose a contractor because you felt comfortable with their level of knowledge. You built trust with the person you met and bought from. Unfortunately, many times they are not the ones performing the work. Ask if you can meet and interview the workers before accepting the bid if that’s important to you.
Hiring a contractor: were you sold or did you buy?
Being sold work because you are afraid of what might happen if you don’t have the work done is a bad way to start any project. Making an educated decision with no pressure is a much more comfortable way to hire a contractor. Look for a contractor who takes time to educate you on their services and products, does not put pressure on you to make a decision and does not ask for a deposit before the work has begun.
Why is there such a big difference in my bids?
In any profession, there may exist varying levels of expertise. If one quote is much lower than the other, pay attention to the fact that you may have been given an estimate for work that will be done by someone with less experience and may likely be sub-par in comparison with the other bids.
Before you hire a contractor, do your homework online
When considering any contractor, make sure you can find them online. If you can’t find them online, chances are you won’t be able to find them if something goes wrong during the project. You will find reviews on their website and other places online/ Check to see if they have a Facebook page. Using a small business to complete your project helps your local economy. They should at least have a Facebook page or they may too small and have too little experience to accomplish the task you will be paying them to do.
Ask the right questions and pay attention to any red flags during the process. This is a good way to ensure that the contractor you hire is the best one for the job and you are pleased enough to recommend them to others online and offline. The contractors at Concrete Raising Systems do the work themselves, they don’t take a deposit in advance of the work, they educate you about their polyurethane process and concrete repair work. And they offer a guarantee; if it sinks they will lift it again for free. They also have an informative website with customer reviews to back up their work!
This article was originally published in March 2015 and has been updated to reflect current information.