Choosing a subcontractor to work on your home and garden can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Hiring the right kind of contractor will ensure that the work is carried out to the highest standard and in a timely and honest manner. And, when it comes to your home, these considerations are very important. Websites and magazines frequently carry stories of dishonest and incompetent contractors, whose work ultimately costs a lot more than it should.
When attempting to choose and hire the right subcontractor, you should consider a number of different factors.
Word of mouth
Personal feedback and client testimonials are of huge value to a good subcontractor, so a recommendation from a friend, neighbor or work colleague is a great place to start. If somebody that you know mentions a subcontractor that they would be prepared to recommend, then take the opportunity to ask them questions about the quality and timeliness of the work they performed. Try and talk to people that have had similar work completed to your requirements, so that you can easily gauge the level of expertise for the subcontractor in question.
Have a look at previous work
Many subcontractors will be willing to give examples of projects on which they have worked. This may come through friends or colleagues (who will often be happy for you to go and have a look at the completed work) but could also be a referral through the contractor's website or blog. If it is not possible to go and see examples of the contractor's work, good photographs or a video clip can be a useful alternative.
Meet a selection of different subcontractors
Never sign up with the first subcontractor you speak to, and certainly do not sign up with any contractor that you have not met in person. A personal meeting is an important way to get to know the individual and to talk about his or her experience and style. As well as technical capability, you will be looking for a professional attitude and a strong work ethic. By meeting different subcontractors, you will be able to compare and contrast different personalities and styles. You will be far better-equipped to establish which one you think is best.
Compare the right things
Getting a good price for the work is important but the cost alone should not dictate which subcontractor you select. You must establish what is included in the price and how long the work is expected to take. It is good to understand what level of flexibility can be offered in terms of start dates, task duration and working hours. Is the subcontractor fully insured? Is he or she working for a larger business with a good range of equipment and facilities?
Plan well and document all the details
You should provide the subcontractor with some kind of plan or specification of what it is that you want completed. Anything agreed verbally can be subject to misinterpretation or ambiguity, so a document, even at a high level, can help prevent this. When agreeing to a contract, ensure that it is entirely clear what has been established in terms of cost, duration and scope of work. Ensure that the subcontractor signs up to an agreed quality standard too, with potential penalties for deviation from the agreed work. Payment terms, for example, could be based on a final payment subject to satisfactory completion of the work. This must be agreed to in writing.
Choosing and hiring a subcontractor is an important task that can ensure that work on your home is carried out to the highest standards. Take time to select the right candidates while considering the cost, level of experience and previous projects.
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