Hiring a contractor to do a home renovation should take more than a quick conversation on the phone. Think of the process to be less like a simple transaction and more like a job interview — you are the boss that has to check the credentials and the character of a potential employee to see if they’re worth hiring.
You shouldn’t try to wing your first meeting and miss out on vital information, so prepare for your interview for a contractor ahead of time by writing down a list of important questions to run through. Ideally, you should try to get them to give you a minimum of three references that have asked for similar renovations. Ask them about their official training, their job qualifications and how many years of experience they have in the field. The Canadian Home Builder’s Association recommends that you ask these other relevant questions:
- What warranty do you offer?
- Do you carry Worker’s Compensation?
- Do you have business liability insurance?
- What is your estimate for the project’s costs?
During the interview process, look for warning signs that they will be a financial risk for you. For example, a professional that doesn’t want to write up and have you sign a contract is suspicious. Only having a verbal contract means that they could veer from your wishes and you could have no proof to hold them accountable. Other important red flags for contactor interviews are when they reveal that they want to be prepaid in full before work has begun or if they insist on cash payment.
After the interview, you should take some extra time to run a background check on them to confirm the information they gave you. Search on the Ontario College of Trades registry to corroborate that they are trained and licensed for their job and then check postings in the Consumer Protection Act to see if they have any previous charges. Browse through websites like HomeStars to see the negative and positive reviews posted by past customers. Call the references and ask them about their experience with the contractor and the results of their home improvements. The moment that you have completed all of those steps, you can give the contractor your final answer.
This meticulous and lengthy process is not necessary for every single type of home renovation — if you simply want to get windows and doors in Toronto and the GTA, you can turn to windows and door manufacturers for professional installation services. They will be incredibly familiar with the products, making the risks of errors much smaller than someone who has general experience. The window manufacturers in Toronto and the GTA will also work harder to get great results because they have a lot more at stake — they are simultaneously representing the company’s products and services.
Here at Casa Bella Windows & Doors, we won’t outsource or sub-contract for a window replacement in Toronto or the GTA. The high-quality window installation services are performed by professional installers with years of training and experience behind them — they are also bonded, licensed and insured to guarantee they are a low-risk choice for renovations. If you want to know more about the team of professional installers, you should explore the official website to learn about the Casa Bella Advantage — a better installation is one of the two factors that make up this benefit.
When you are planning home improvement, you should always pick the professionals that prioritize your needs. These are the types that will make sure to confirm the details of the project, they will leave a meticulous paper trail and they will vow to fix any mistakes they have made. They understand that a strong reputation in the field is built on good results and happy customers.
