When choosing a contractor, there are essential questions you should ask to ensure that your home project is in expert hands.
You’re ready to add elegance and beauty to your home’s outdoor environment with visions of a foundational transformation — a relaxing patio, spacious driveway, custom sidewalk, plush and sustainable turf or retaining walls or similar projects. So how do you get started?
Choosing the right contractor makes all the difference in your satisfaction with the end result. You will want to select a legitimate company that’s competent, likable and will take care of your property. At Marshal Renee, we live and preach the Golden Rule, “treating others as you want to be treated.” In that spirit, we’re sharing our insights on how to identify the right contractor for your needs. Start with these nine questions as you begin your search.
1. Is the company legitimate?
Does the company have a website? If so, you can find out a lot about what services and products the company offers, their location, how many years they’ve been in business and how much experience they have in the industry.
Look for a local company with a physical office that’s established in your community.
Read up on or ask about the company’s insurance coverage, both for your property and also for the work crew members who will be spending time on the project at your home.
2. Are they a member of the Better Business Bureau?
A savvy consumer checks with The Better Business Bureau (BBB) before engaging with a new company he or she hasn’t worked with before. Legitimate businesses join the BBB to provide all the help necessary to help customers get satisfaction for their money.
The BBB can provide you with good consumer information so you can make good buying decisions and alert you to any complaints made by other customers with similar projects to yours.
3. Are they professionals in their field?
Many individuals can say they lay pavers, but most don’t do it every day, all day. Ask about the experience and skill of the crews who will be assigned to your project and for examples and photos of previous work they’ve done.
4. Do they have certifications?
Are the workers certified in their areas of expertise? Organizations such as the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (icpi) and American Fence Association verify credentials for experienced installers.
5. How well and how often will they communicate with you?
Don’t just talk to a sales rep. Ask to meet the project manager you’ll be working with to establish a good relationship and to get on the same page about how often you’ll get updates and how accessible they will be for questions mid-project.
6. How long have they been in business? Have they been in business as long as their warranty period?
Check their website, the BBB or ask how long the company has been around.
7. Do they have references and/or online reviews?
Google the company’s name so you can find reviews that might be outside of their website. One of the most reliable resources for choosing a contractor is learning about their experience with other customers. Check Google and Yelp reviews or ask for references of customers with projects similar to yours.
8. Will the crew have proper supervision?
When deciding who you will choose as your contractor, ask how often the most experienced crew member or foreman will be at your project to oversee the work being done for quality assurance.
9. Do you believe they’ll take care of your property?
Some crews are only focused on the project at hand and might not look out for landscaping, pets or other property, including your neighbors’, that might be affected.
Marshal Renee builds your custom project with passion and expertise as if it were our own. Learn more about our attention to detail for services and brands that include FencePro, PavePro, TurfPro and WallPro.
