Who you hire can make or break your project. Researching pros on HomeStars is key to finding the right pro to work with. This is why it’s so important to interview at least 3 pros before making your final decision and knowing the right questions to ask. Asking the right questions will help you learn more about the company, their experience, and their qualifications. Use these questions to help guide you through your interview process so you hire only the best pros for your project.
Questions to Ask About the Company
It’s very important to find out more about the company you are potentially going to hire. You need to feel comfortable with them coming in and out of your home and trust them to do the work. Ask these qualifying questions to help you decide if they’re the right pros for you.
How long have you been in business? What is the history of your business in this area?
It’s important to know how long a company has been in business in general and in your area specifically. A company that has been working in your area for the past 10 years will have established themselves with a network of suppliers and subcontractors, and will also have a reputation to uphold. While new companies can do great work, you are taking a risk. Experience makes a difference.
Who will do the work? Your team or subcontractors? Who is my point of contact?
The company you meet with could give the work to subcontractors, so you need to know who will be working on your project. It’s also important to establish a point of contact. Will a foreman be on-site each day, or will subcontractors be coming in and out of your home? You need to have one go-to person for any questions or concerns.
Are you licensed, insured and provide workers’ compensation? Please provide proof.
Absolutely do not hire any company that either does not have or refuses to provide proof of these things. Hiring a company that is not licensed and insured can put you at considerable risk both financially and legally. A company worth hiring will be happy to provide copies of these documents. You can take it a step further and look up their license number to ensure it’s accurate and valid.
Questions to Ask About the Project
Once you know more about the company itself, it’s time to find out more about how they handle projects. Ask these questions to make sure the company clearly understands what you’re looking for.
Will you provide an itemized bid?
You need to know what you’re paying for, that’s why having an itemized bid is helpful. Instead of one bottom line price for the whole project, ask your pro to list out the costs for all of the various parts of the job. This way you can directly compare costs across companies.
Have you worked on projects like this before? Can you show examples?
If the company you’re interviewing has never done this kind of project before, you might want to reconsider. Ideally, you want to find a company that has years of experience and knows exactly what they’re doing. Even better if they can show you clear examples of this. Be sure to check their HomeStars reviews and project photos.
Will you take care of the permits?
More often than not, projects require permits. Obtaining permits can be a hassle if you’re not familiar with the process. That’s why it’s a good idea to check with the company to see if they can handle this step for you. If they tell you you don’t really need a permit (even though you do), do not hire them.
What is the rough timeline of this project based on what we’ve discussed?
As your project progresses, the timeline can change. Delays are to be expected. That’s why it’s important to have a rough idea of a realistic timeline. You don’t want a company that promises they can get it done in 2 days when, in reality, it will take 2 weeks.
Will you provide a detailed written contract?
The only answer you want to hear is yes. If a company does not want to provide you with a written contract, you do not want to work with them. Your contract should cover all details of the project including a full description of the work, materials, timeline and a payment schedule. If the company is not willing to provide you with these basic project details in writing, move on to the next company.
What is the payment schedule?
Never pay for a project in full before it is completed. Instead, your payments should come in installments, usually, after big parts of the project are completed. Be sure to have this clearly outlined before you hire the company.
Will you provide a warranty?
Aftercare is important with any project. A reputable company will provide you with a written warranty that clearly explains what is covered and for how long. Be sure to ask if there are different warranties for parts and for labour. If you contact past customers or read their reviews, be sure to find out how the company dealt with any issues after the project was done.
Between HomeStars Verified and pros who won the Best of Awards, you can find the right pro for your project. Now that you know exactly what to ask your potential pros, all that’s left to do is get in touch with them. You can use HomeStars to research companies and read reviews from past clients. To quickly get in touch with available pros in your area, simply click on the banner below. Enter your project details and we’ll send them out to pros who will get in touch with you. It’s as easy as that.
