Tips for Finding a Contractor You Can Trust
I hear it every week that I am out meeting with clients. “It is so hard to find a reputable contractor that I can trust”. Contractors don’t answer their phones, don’t show up on time, delay jobs, and just plain frustrate clients. Clients are left feeling like they have to manage the whole job instead of receiving an excellent experience where they are taken care of and the contractor ensures all details are covered and done well. So how do you find a contractor that will make your life easier by taking care of what you are willing to pay them to do? Here are the essential things to keep in mind:
Trust your gut. If you have a good feeling or a bad one, listen to it. A low price doesn’t matter if you are miserable and end up acting like the contractor to get the job done the way you want.
Do you feel like the contractor values you? Did they show up on time for the estimate? Were they organized and prepared for your appointment? You are asking them to manage the project, if they can’t manage their time, how can they manage your project?
Did they provide a clear and detailed estimate? Your estimate should be spelled out completely, from what they will do for you, to what products they use, to options that you requested. Did they send it to you in a timely manner or did you have to wait weeks and chase them down for it?
Products matter. Make sure they spelled out what they will use in your estimate. They should be using quality products; cheaper products don’t save you money in the long run. Cheaper products will mean the job has to be redone sooner, costing you more. You are making an investment in your home, make sure the contractor uses quality products.
Did they provide you with copies of their license, insurance, and warranty? If they can’t provide any of these to you in writing, they should be disqualified quickly. You want someone who runs a legitimate business and protects you at the same time.
Check past jobs and reviews. This may sound so simple, but many people overlook this important step. Go look at their work, if it is holding up and looks nice, you safely can assume your job will too. Look up their reviews online. A reputable company should have many available at your fingertips. While a company with many reviews will likely have a few that aren’t perfect, you want to find out how they handled those hiccups. Then check out their website for testimonials and pictures of jobs.
If you are looking for a reputable painting contractor in the greater Sacramento area, Brooks Painting is here to help you with all your painting needs. Let us provide you with an excellent experience, and show you how contractors should work. We can help you with your interior & exterior painting, cabinet finishing, and commercial work. We work in Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties. Call us at 530-753-5074 or visit our website to set up an estimate appointment.
