7 TIPS BEFORE HIRING YOUR CONTRACTOR DURING THE PANDEMIC

Renovations are all about the proper planning, sourcing the right materials and hiring the right people for the job. You need a knowledgeable contractor to oversee the entire project whether it’s a whole house remodel or simply renovating a guest bathroom. Here are 7 tips for working with a contractor for your renovation.

Number one: Always ask for personal recommendations

Online referrals are not always the most reliable source of information especially when you’re blindly for professionals and just look for the highest rated ones near you. Ask your family, your friends and even neighbors who, you know, have gone through renovations experience. Chances are you’ll find greater success with contractors when you’ve seen the work they’ve done. Additionally, you’ll know that they’re reliable or that they’ve done an amazing job renovating for someone you know. So our number one tip is to always ask for personal referrals.

Number two: Know your contractor’s credentials 

Are they licensed, bonded and insured?  You may want to run a license check on them. Go online and make sure that the contractor has a physical address where you can look up the contractors state license. The licensing board protects consumers by licensing and regulating each state’s construction industry. Every state has their own regulations so check online for your state or country’s license boards.

Number three: Make sure you connect with your contractor 

Keep an open communication with your contractor. You want to make sure that they understand your vision and your needs. An experienced contractor can answer your questions and explain things you don’t understand.

Number four: You get what you pay for 

Understand that price reflects quality. The lowest bid might suggest that they’re using cheap materials or they’re not keen on their craftsmanship and that they do shaddy work sometimes. Other times the lowest bid just means they’re really desperate to win the project. If you go with the cheapest bid be prepared to pay more down the line. Clearly, you won’t know what the lowest bid is until you get multiple bids and estimates but the winner is usually somewhere right in the middle. Make sure that you request a line item description of all the materials necessary for the job. 

 Number five: Get everything in writing

Your home improvement contract should include:

  • detailed time frames
  • line itemizations for specialty materials
  • the total cost payment arrangements
  • your contractor’s license number
  • the project description names
  • contact information of parties involved & 
  • how to handle additional costs if necessary. 


Be cautious if you are not given a specific timeline for the project it might mean that the contractor is working on several jobs at the same time. This might also mean that your project would not be completed in a timely manner so make sure that you have a schedule that you both agree upon. Keep track of all project related documents like the contracts, invoices, payments, receipts and all of the contact information so you have it ready at your fingertips.

Number six: Be realistic with your home improvement budget 

Break the project down in multiple phases and see what you can do as a priority. If you’re on a budget you might want to spread out the cost over time. As a homeowner you can save money on so many tasks that you could do yourself like cleaning or even painting.

Number seven: Be prepared for delays when undergoing a home remodeling or renovation

Not to negate what was mentioned beforehand about “detailed time frames” and “cost itemizations”, but be open to slight delays and additional costs. Take time to educate yourself a little about home renovation, the requirements, permits and what not. Though the responsibility should be on your contractor, it would help to know what’s going on behind the scenes. This should help avoid the possibility of delays and unnecessary costs. 

Communication is key for every single project down to the smallest detail. You may want to insist on regular updates, for them to contact you either by phone, email or text message.You don’t want to be micromanaging the project, really that’s what the general contractor is for, but being on the same page and staying aligned with your vision guarantees the success of your project. Our team at GetPro Construction has over 2 decades of experience in home renovation with reliable and trusted contractors who can help you amidst this pandemic. To learn more about our services, contact us at (734) 822-9595 or reach out to us via email at info@getproco.com.