Simple Steps to Help You Get the Information You Need
From Your Contractor’s References
Many homeowners want to check references but they aren’t sure what questions to ask.
Often, people don’t even bother to check references. They believe “no one will provide a poor reference”. The fact is, if you don’t check references, you make it easy for the unscrupulous contractor to succeed. Your contractor should be able to provide a long list of references for you to choose from. You may discover that someone you know has used them in the past.
Prepare a list of 5 to 10 questions to ask each person. Obtain a rating on timeliness, quality, cleanliness, adherence to price and professionalism. Confirm the project that the contractor performed. Being prepared for the reference calls will give you a quick way to determine who is better.
Basic questions you may want to ask:
- Did they start when they said they would?
- Did they clean up daily?
- Was the price quoted what you paid? If not, why not?
- Where there any problems during the job…and how did they handle it?
- Were they courteous to everyone in your home?
- Have they stood behind their warrantee?
- Would you recommend them to someone else?
- Why did you choose them and not the other guys?
Add any other questions that are important to you to this list.
We hope this Reference Guide helps you get the information you need to make the best choice when it comes to hiring, evaluating and working with a professional contractor.
We are providing this as a service so you can make the best decision possible in hiring a contractor, regardless of who you decide to go with.