A practical guide to vetting a renovation company5 Questions You Should Ask Your Contractor

Procuring the right renovation company can be time consuming and sometimes stressful, after all,

projects this size take time and trust.

So what are some questions you can ask before you commit to one company, and safeguard yourself from the wrong type of contractors?

We’ve put together this straight forward list of ‘5 Questions to Ask Your Contractor’

to help you out!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?Longevity Is Key

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Longevity Is KeyHOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?

Knowing how long a company has been in business can be a great indicator towards the quality of their work.

It is of course, only one factor, however when a company keeps its name for 20+ years, it’s safe to say that they’ve owned up to the ups and downs every contractor faces.

Asking a contractor how long they’ve been in business can receive tricky replies, ones that include combined years in business, which could amount to 100+ years if they have a master plumber, carpenter and tile setter.

Though not in and of itself a misnomer, it doesn’t ask the question you actually want to hear, which is a consistent set of time under the same company name.

Of course, one should assume positive intent. A company with less than 10 years of experience does not imply a shortfall in quality, as the contractor him or herself could have been a journeyman for decades before deciding to branch out into owning his or her own company.

As mentioned above, this is only one piece of the puzzle you want to learn about.

WHO WILL I TALK TO DURING THE PROJECT?Your Project Manager

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Your Project & Site ManagerWHO WILL I TALK TO DURING THE PROJECT?

Knowing who your point of contact will be is a great way of telling how future communications will play out.

Having a project manager available to you during the project can help tremendously with timelines, communication and feeling at ease.

With this in mind, we recommend you take the opportunity to speak with the PM if you can, see how you two communicate. In this way, you can gauge how things might play out if unforeseen circumstances arise.

The project manager also takes care of timelines, so find out how many other projects he or she might have going at the same time as your project.

Though some construction project managers can take on plenty of work, we recommend a reasonable limit of 5-10 projects per season. No one wants to inadvertently end up at the bottom of the priority list solely because there are 20 people in the queue above you.

So make sure you have a good idea of what the expectations are when it comes to your project & site manager.

WHO WILL BE WORKING ON THE PROJECT?  ARE THEY EMPLOYEES OR SUB CONTRACTORS?

Workforce

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Are They Employees Or Sub-Contractors?WHO WILL BE WORKING ON THE PROJECT?

When looking at mechanical trades such as heating, electrical, plumbers & gas fitters, only a master technician can procure a permit for the work, and only a master can do the work right the first time.

In scenarios like the above, you want to have a certified trade taking care of of their part, this is why many companies use sub-contractors.

Non-certified trades such as painters & carpenters can be internal, however it doesn’t hurt to pay a little bit more for a pro.

Sub-contractors are a great resource for many companies, providing skilled, master craftsmen for jobs that require them, rounding out a great team to tackle your project.

DO YOU HAVE WCB & LIABILITY INSURANCE?Responsibility

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ResponsibilityDO YOU HAVE WCB & LIABILITY INSURANCE?

One of the single most important questions you should ask, despite it seeming like a given, is requesting if the contractor in question has WCB & liability insurance.

Concerning WCB, you don’t want their workers to get hurt on your property without proper health & safety regulations in place.

This is not just for you, it shows how much they consider the safety of their staff and how they care for them if they do get injured.

Secondly, liability insurance protects you in the event of an unforeseen incident that requires financial attention.

This shows you that they are willing to protect themselves and you.

WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO A PROJECT LIKE THIS?HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Timelines

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How Long Will It Take?WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO A PROJECT LIKE THIS?

Understanding how your project will be managed not only helps place it into perspective, but also provides a sense of relief for many people.

Everything from the order by which they go about demolition, parts orders & remodelling, your projects timeline is to be taken seriously.

It’s not just a matter of ‘how’ they will go about the project, but ‘when’ certain aspects of the project will be executed. After all, your schedule doesn’t stand still just because your kitchen is being remodelled.

You may want to know when leaving the house or eating out is the best option for you and your family. Knowing when to stay at a friends after the rooms are painted is less stressful for everyone involved.

The second half of this question can be a difficult one to answer, however the project manager should have a good idea of when the everything should be completed. He or she will also put into consideration any unforeseen situations, such as late deliveries etc..

We hope you enjoyed our quick guide. If you have any questions, please feel free

to contact us at the details below.

If you found this guide useful, please share it amongst friends & family.

3511 62 Avenue SECalgary, AB T2C 1P5

(403) 880-2228info@totalhomecalgary.ca

Total Home - Calgary Home Renovations