4 Traits You Need to Look for in a Home Repair Contractor

One of the trends that have sprung up in recent years is working on do-it-yourself home projects.

With plenty of video tutorials and DIY articles available on the internet, more property owners are now working on their home repairs by themselves.

However, not everyone has the expertise to execute things right. There are some jobs you are better leaving off to professional home repair contractors. 

Whether you want to repair your gutter or do some HVAC maintenance, your best option is to hire a professional home repair contractor. However, picking a good home repair contractor can itself be a tough job. 

If you are having difficulty choosing a contractor, check out these five characteristics of a reliable home repair professional that you need to look for:

1. Highly recommended

One of the best ways to gauge a home repair contractor’s ability is going over their track record.

The best home repair contractors let their work speak for themselves. With review aggregator sites like Google and Yelp, it is easier than ever to check a home repair contractor’s reputation before signing the deal.

After all, hiring a stranger to do work on your home requires a fair bit of trust, so it is important that you choose a contractor with an excellent reputation. 

Keep in mind, however, that online reviews should not be the sole basis of your decision. Some reviews coming may be isolated incidents or even simply unfair to the contractor.

Read each review carefully to see if there is a pattern of negative reviews. If so, then you may need to think twice before hiring the contractor. 

2. Equipped with the right tools

A good home repair contractor should be equipped with the right tools for the job. Saws, drills, hammers, nails, whatever the job needs — a contractor should be well-equipped to execute the job properly.

The right tools not only make the job easier but also eliminate repetitive-use injuries and work-related accidents. Home repair is a dangerous job as it involves climbing to high areas, working with electrical wiring, and even dealing with water pressure.

So, before choosing a contractor, ensure that they have adequate safety training and that they use the right tools and protective gear for the job.  

3. Provides a clear estimate

Every home repair job starts with the contractor inspecting your home and providing a quote. This is a good opportunity for you to check the reliability of the contractor based on the estimates they provide.

A good home repair contractor will give an itemised quote with a detailed breakdown of the materials, the labour costs, and the time that the project will take to be finished. Finally, they will also provide clear payment terms to avoid payment disputes.  

4. Willing to fix issues

Most of the time, a home repair job gets finished without a hitch. However, there will be times where you notice some issues a few days or weeks after the job is done. A good contractor is willing to address issues even after the job is done by offering warranties.

Finding a reliable home repair contractor can be a challenge, especially if it is your first time dealing with home issues. So when you are shopping around for a contractor, take note of the aforementioned characteristics to ensure a hassle-free home repair job.

And when you finally sign a deal with the right contractor, you’ll know that the effort is well worth it.  

About the Author: Patrick Hogan is the CEO of Handle.com, where they build software that helps contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers with late payments. Handle.com also provides funding for construction businesses in the form of invoice factoring, material supply trade credit, and mechanics lien purchasing.