6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor

March 26, 2019

Asking the right questions before hiring a contractor or tradesperson to work in your home is the key to a smooth renovation or remodel. Whether you’re dealing with construction workers, plumbers, decorators, electricians or glass companies in Vancouver, protect yourself by doing the research first.

Here’s what you should be asking before hiring a contractor:

1. How long have you been in business?

   Sure, everyone has to start somewhere, but you don’t want someone learning the ropes at your expense. With over a decade of experience in frameless glass installation and design, Adrian is happy to tell clients about his expertise for peace of mind before starting a project.
    
   Don’t be afraid to check the Better Business Bureau or Google your contractor’s name to dig deeper.

2. Who will be working on my project?

   Depending on the size of the job and the company you pick, there could be any number of people in your space each day. Some remodelers contract out certain jobs, while others will be there to supervise the crew.

   Make sure you have a contact number to call if you have any issues while workers are onsite. You don’t want to get stuck in a situation where nobody is in charge and you’re frantically trying to solve a problem or get answers to an important question.

3. Can I see your portfolio?

   Many companies have online galleries or portfolios where you can check out examples of past work. Often, they’ll have more than what they post online, so inquire about additional photos that might help you make a decision. Here’s our gallery.
    
   If they don’t have an online presence or offer any pics, don’t hire them!

4. What’s the timeline for completion?

   You want to agree on a start and end date before hiring a contractor. Secondly, you want to be aware of any circumstances that could change the dates, such as other projects or current bids that aren’t finalized yet.

   If anything could interfere with your schedule, the business should tell you how they deal with these sorts of interruptions—beware the vague answer.

5. What’s the payment schedule?

   Ensure all payment terms are clear: how much is due, when it’s due and what types of payment are accepted. If the work isn’t completed on time, will you owe more in labour costs?

   Does what you’re paying include extras, or will you need to pay more for those? Here’s an example: as an option, Eclipse Glass will install Shower Guard or Clear-Fusion Pro glass to keep your shower and glass railings clean and looking new for a long time.

   This is a choice you can add during your frameless glass installation, but we’ll never hide the cost or surprise you mid-job.

6. How will you keep my property safe and clean?

   If you’re going to be out and about during the day, will workers lock the door? Or, will tradespeople be coming in and out of an open garage? Make sure to mention pets that need to be kept inside, kids who are home after school or visitors arriving to see how they deal with these types of situations.

   A reputable company should also be able to tell you all about their dust-containment measures, how they avoid tracking mud on your carpets and so on.

Of course, there are other things to be asking when it’s time to hire a tradesperson. Do your prep work and make a list of what’s important to know ahead of finalizing the deal.

Don’t be afraid to keep asking questions until you’re comfortable with everything—it’s in their best interest to be informative if they want your business and your recommendations to other potential clients.

We can help, too. If you’re researching glass companies in Vancouver to beautify your bathroom, staircases or outdoor areas, get in touch with us and we’ll provide you with as much info as you need.

We can even give you a free online quote.