How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your Home Renovation

The right contractor can make or break your home renovation project. The only problem is, how do you select the right contractor? How can you know the contractor you select has the knowledge and experience to make your project goes smoothly?  

Fortunately, there are some guidelines you can follow to make sure you choose the right contractor for your home renovation project.

Check reviews, referrals and portfolios

Your first step in choosing a contractor should be to get recommendations from your family and friends. Not only are they more likely to give you honest opinions about the contractors they’ve worked with, they can also give you details you might not get online, such as how often the contractors communicate or what issues might arise. 

You can also look at the contractor’s reputation on online platforms, such as::

• Google Maps

• Yelp

• Trustpilot

AOS Home Solutions Pro Tip: When reading reviews, focus on four-star reviews. They’re more likely to give you a complete picture of what working with the contractor is like.

Get their background

Once you’ve selected a contractor, ask detailed questions about their qualifications and their experience with home renovations like yours. 

Questions you can ask include: 

• Are you licensed and insured in this state and county?

• What is your preferred communication method?

• Do you have references I can contact? 

You can look up a contractor’s licenses through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Focus on value instead of price

It’s understandable if you want to choose the least expensive contractor. However, the cheapest contractor could cost you a lot more in terms of shoddy workmanship. 

Instead, focus on the value the contractor offers, including:

• Timeline

• Quality of materials

• Warranty coverage

AOS Home Solutions Pro Tip: Watch out for vague terms on your estimate, as well as estimates that are incomplete

Verify their insurance and warranties

Any construction project has risks. That’s why you need to work with a contractor who is fully insured and offers warranties on their work. The insurance your contractor should carry include:

• General liability

• Property damage

• Workers’ compensation

AOS Home Solutions Pro Tip: When looking at the contractor’s warranties, make sure to look at the coverage period and what the warranty includes.

Make sure they communicate

Your contractor needs to be responsive, clear, and proactive in sharing updates. 

Make sure your contractor’s preferred communications channel matches yours. If they prefer to communicate by phone and you hate taking phone calls, for instance, you’ll be less likely to receive updates. 

Review the contract

A good contract can protect both the contractor and you. Take time to review all the data, such as: 

• Payment schedule

• Completion date

• Change order process

Make sure your contract has a comprehensive project timeline, including updates.

Ensure Your Home Renovation is in Good Hands with AOS Home Solutions

The cornerstone to a successful home renovation is choosing the right contractor. Make sure you hire a contractor with a solid background, who keeps you updated constantly and who comes recommended by family and friends, or at least a high score on a review platform. 

If you’re looking for a reputable contractor, contact AOS Home Solutions today. They bring expertise and reliability to every project, as well as a commitment to excellence. Schedule a consultation to work with a trusted and local business.