Supercontractors are plentiful and easy to find when you approach the due diligence process with purpose and foresight. The biggest ad in the phone book (print or digital), a great website, a beautiful smile or the cheapest price tell you any. Builders, remodelers and commercial contractors will work on your most valuable asset and prized possession: your home. More importantly, they will become your most trusted and expert advisor in your area of ​​expertise. So how do you find the absolute best craftsmen, most trusted business, and all-around SUPER contractor?

Start at the beginning – a very good place to start

Professional trade organizations, such as your local Home Builders Association (HBA), are the best places to start your search. The criteria for membership in these associations are strict; therefore, only the most professional and ethical companies become members. Furthermore, education and continuous improvement are in the blood of the members. They know the latest building materials and gadgets on the market, understand permits and inspections, and know the difference between a contract, a change order, and a to-do list (and why each legally protects both during the course of the process). of your project while maintaining communication). open lines).

There are many additional professional trade associations for specialty contractors that can also be used to assist you in your search. Although the best excavators, plumbers, roofers, landscapers, etc. Be sure to join your local HBA, they are often also members of their specialized trade association to gain insights specific to your trade.

A quick web search for the area you’re researching followed by the words “trade association” is a great place to start. So when looking for a kitchen designer, a web search for “kitchen trade association” will reveal the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Similarly, a search for “Electricians Trade Association” will take you to Independent Electrical Contractors (IECs).

Is bigger better or smaller better?

Contractors don’t become the best in the business because they have a lot of employees, advertise all the time, or “they’ve done 10 projects in your neighborhood.” Conversely, smaller companies are not quicker to respond and more focused on your needs because they have fewer customers to serve. Good big companies and good small companies have their pros and cons. It is likely that you have a natural disposition towards one over the other. The best businesses come in all sizes, just like the best contractors. Look out for those who herald continuous improvement through education, training and networking.

Let your credentials, experience and knowledge be your guide, not the size of your company. Gravitate toward those contractors who are certified experts by outside trade associations or agencies. Consider more seriously those contractors who regularly attend trade shows and conventions in your industry. Education is paramount. Would you want a teacher to teach your children if they had never been to school? Or, what about an accountant with no accounting degree and the letters CPA (Certified Public Accountant) after her name advising on her finances? Contractors also have certifications, designations, and education.

Does this mean you should only consider those with letters after their names and education to their credit? Absolutely not! Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg ran/run incredibly successful businesses without completing their education. They, however, are the exception, not the norm. Give weight to education in your decision-making process.

How do you interview candidates?

Treat your investigation seriously and be prepared for the process. After creating a list of potential contractor candidates, spend time organizing your thoughts and preparing your questions. prior to meeting with the first contractor candidate. At each interview, observe how each candidate reacts and responds. Don’t be afraid to take notes.

Some suggestions to make you think:

• When you talk about what you’d like to do, is the contractor enthusiastic about your ideas and suggest ways to make them work better?
• Is customer service emphasized?
• Will they work within the constraints of your budget? Will they be honest when your budget is much less than what the project will require?
• Do they seem organized when you discuss work with them?
• Are your business materials neat, professional, and complete (business cards, flyers, website, etc.)?
• Do they have insurance to protect you from claims arising from property damage or workplace injury (get a copy of your certificate of insurance, don’t just ask the question)?
• Do you offer a guarantee?
• Will they take care of the building permit?
• Do they specialize in particular types of projects?

How to decide?

Your budget for the project is probably too small. It is rare for home and business owners to exceed the budget on their construction or remodeling plans. In fact, is it common to find that the investment you to think the cost of the project is as much as half of the actual cost. If you really have no idea about the cost of the project, maybe you are planning to “get three quotes and pick the lowest one”.

If you can’t afford to do it right, how can you afford to do it again?

Your judgment is probably sound, use it. The temptation to choose the lowest offer is strong. But often the lowest bidder is the one who made the biggest mistake when preparing the offer for your project. That raises two questions: (1) where are they going to invent it? and (2) what other mistakes will they make in their project?

DO NOT CHOOSE A LOW OFFER simply because it is the lowest price! Choose your contractor based on their business experience, customer service, skills, and how they communicate with you during the bidding process; not because they have the lowest price.

Hiring is not a product. Hiring a contractor is buying a service and experience. The customer service the contractor provides during the interview and bid process, or lack thereof, is likely to be the same customer service you will provide throughout the job if you hire your company. So choose a contractor who communicates clearly, treats his work like his masterpiece, and runs his business solidly.

This is not a decision that should be based solely on who you “liked” the most or who was the “nicest” or had the “best personality.” However, you will be working with the contractor and their equipment for an extended period of time; so, like you emotionally feeling about them should carry some weight in your decision-making process. Use your emotions, use your intuition… just make sure that your research and intellect have a greater influence on your final decision.

If you spend as much, or more, time selecting a contractor as you did selecting and planning your last vacation, or choosing if and where you or your children should go to college, you’ll ultimately make a good decision. Plan for it. Give it time. Discuss it with your loved ones. So trust yourself that you made the right decision. Also, trust your contractor and their expert advice.