Your home is arguably your most important asset. Not only are you financially tied to your home, you and your family are emotionally invested in its well-being. When your house is in need of repair, you must be certain that you are working with the best contractor for your situation.
Hiring a contractor is not a simple undertaking. Some homeowners may believe the right contractor is the one who charges the least or who worked on another building they admire. While cost and previous examples of work are great starting points, there is much more to choosing a contractor in Orange County than word of mouth or low prices. Here are our tips when finding the right contractor for the job.
Tip 1. Contractors must offer complete transparency.
The last thing you need after your home has suffered damage is a contractor who hides plans or costs. Few contractors have malicious intent. They simply may not have a system in place that allows them to be well organized. Simplify the process by posting your job to ReBLDing and get bids for your project. Make sure that your chosen contractor is as detailed as you need with all areas of your rebuild.
Tip 2. Updated technology is vital.
Some contractors still prefer to put pen to paper. This may be true when it comes to drawing up plans, preparing contracts or sharing vital communication. Look for a contractor that has access to the latest technology so you can be certain that every step of the process is well documented and accessible. Our platform allows contactors to build a state-of-the-art profile to showcase their expertise; ensuring that all ReBLDing contractors have access to updated technology.
Tip 3. Hire a contractor you can easily reach.
Few things are worse than hiring a contractor, and then not being able to get in touch when you need to. Choose a contractor that responds to your questions and concerns in a timely manner. Phone calls, texts, emails and instant messaging through our secure system are useful tools that a good contractor in Orange County should employ. The ReBLDing platform gives homeowners and contractors a direct line of contact while safeguarding both parties.
Tip 4. Ask for references, but do your own research.
The contractors you contact should all have a portfolio of clients they are willing to share. Most, if not all, will have their own websites where they can direct you to see their finished work. It is important that you look through the references that are sent your way, but it is also vital that you seek more information on your own. Their ReBLDing profile, social media, business pages and personal contacts may uncover other customers who have a variety of opinions about each contractor.
Tip 5. Seek multiple quotes.
Contractors will offer quotes before you sign any type of contract. Get quotes from multiple contractors. Look over them carefully, asking about any numbers you might find troubling or confusing. Don’t forget to ask to go over payment plans as well. Find out the percentage the contractor expects you to pay upfront and whether a second payment will be expected while the job is still underway. The majority of contractors accept both credit and debit cards, but there are some who will expect checks or cash. Take a look at our tips when choosing a contactor.
Tip 6. Document everything.
Keep a paper trail of every conversation you have with potential contractors through the use of our embedded messaging system. This process documents everything you discuss, even those matters that don’t seem significant at the time. Keeping conversations online as much as possible will help you to save this data. Having documentation in place helps to ensure that the contractor will deliver what he or she has promised because every detail is in black and white.
Tip 7. Use an online platform to simplify the process.
ReBLDing offers a simple system that connects homeowners and contractors. We focus our efforts on helping to establish trusting relationships between contractors and clients whose homes have been damaged and must be repaired or rebuilt. The idea behind the platform is to streamline the entire building process. It allows you to communicate with potential contractors, direct message with those contractors, meet, receive quotes and handle all arrangements in an easily documented manner. Start ReBLDing your home today.