Some homeowners are often surprised to realize that the work itself is not really the most challenging part of a home renovation project. Instead, it is not knowing where to find reliable contractors who can competently do the job.
No matter how good your DIY skills might be, hiring a contractor is often necessary, especially for bigger and more serious works. If you are looking for the best contractor to work with, here are some of the top places where you can find one.
Angie’s List or Thumbtack
Platforms like Angie’s List and Thumbtack let you search for the most reputable contractors online. In fact, Thumbtack also allows you to send out a blast notification to all local contractors in your place to request for bids. It offers you some leverage to find the best deal for your budget.
However, one common disadvantage of these websites is that the listed contractors might be on the more expensive tip of the spectrum. Make sure you consider how much you are willing and prepared to spend before you search on these portals. If you fail to find the one that meets your budget, it might be better for you to search for other cheaper options.
Craigslist
Although Craigslist might not really be as reliable as its Angie’s List, this is another great place where you can search for contractors, particularly those that offer more affordable services. If you will be going down this route, you will be do yourself a big favor if you request for references from past clients and photos of previous work. The most reliable contractors will already have all of these prepared in advance.
Local Grocery Store
Ads and flyers on the corkboard of local grocery stores usually advertise services cheaper than the rest of the options available. If you cannot find the specific service you need there, you can make a flyer of your own that advertises that you are looking for a contractor. If you ever hire a contractor you found from a flyer, be cautious when approaching one. Always ask for pictures and references.
Yelp
Yelp has now optimized how people do reviews to allow people to share their opinions to the public about pretty much everything. During your search for a contractor, you have to check if the company has reviews on Yelp. The people who leave their feedback are usually the most passionate about a certain company, whether positively or negatively, so you could get a good idea about the people you plan to hire.
Word of Mouth
Despite all the technological advancements, word of mouth still remains as one of the best and easiest ways to look for and hire the right person to do the job. If you are gearing up to hire someone for your project, you can seek advice from people in your own circles such as those from your community center, office, or church.
There is a big chance that some of them have worked with contractors before so they can point you to the right people. Now, don’t just hire the nephew of your colleague because he is getting started with plumbing during summer break. Use your discretion before you take advice from peers.