How to Hire the Right Contractor in Virginia

Recruiting the appropriate contractor in Virginia is an important factor that impacts the development of proper home improvement or construction ventures. The professional contractor will enable you to do what you want while eliminating risks that may occur in the process. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you in the process of hiring a contractor in Virginia.

Understanding Licensing Requirements

To provide some background knowledge in the locality, it is important to learn the licensing of contractors in Virginia before you set out searching for a contractor. The Commonwealth requires that all such contractors are required to be registered by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), which must be done where the value of such work will be more than $1,000. This helps to check the competency level that the contractor has to possess to undertake the job.

Methodologies for Endorsing a Contractor License

Request License Information: It is always a good idea to ensure that the contractor you have hired is licensed. Those interested can confirm its authenticity at the DPOR website or by contacting their office at (804) 367-8500. Make sure that the contractor’s license number is printed on all contracts and estimates. Check to make sure their license isn’t expired and that they do not have any complaints listed.

Check for Insurance: Make sure that the contractor has enough insurance coverage. This should include property damage liability insurance or comprehensive general liability insurance and workers compensation insurance which pays for injuries to employees while working. Make sure you have current copies of their insurance certificates and demand for them if you have none.  

Researching Potential Contractors

That being said, having checked the license and insurance of a contractor involves digging deeper into their reputation.

Seek Referrals: Make a call to friends, families, colleagues, and your real estate agent, who have just finished a similar project to ask for their recommendation about the contractor. Word of mouth can here be relied on hard and useful information regarding the contractors’ performance and credibility. Ask questions such as, did they fulfill their contract as agreed upon, did they complete the work on time, what was the quality of their work, did they promptly fix any mistakes, were they responsive and good communicators?

Online Reviews: A lot of homeowners go online to review a contractor, particularly on Google, Yelp, Angie’s List and their social media accounts. Do not ignore negative feedback and responses, but equally important you should not ignore the positive ones as well. Pay attention to any repeated complaints.

Check the Better Business Bureau: This will tell you if anyone has filed a formal complaint with the state against this contractor. This can really help you understand what kind of service they provide. 

Checking References

A well-established contractor should be able to provide multiple references from former clients. When contacting these references, ask specific questions:

• To what extent was the project done within the required project time and financial cost?
• Was communication handled by the contractor effective during the process of the project?
• If there were any difficulties, were they overcome and how?
• Was the quality as expected?
• Based on your experience: Would you hire this contractor again?

Assessing Contractor Experience and Specialization

There is experience and specialization that a certain contractor must be hired for.  Some contractors have a specialization that may deal with residential construction, commercial construction, tear-downs, additions, condominium construction, etc.

Years in Business: Focus on contractors who have a portfolio of work to show off, or previous projects they can refer to. In general, individuals who have been in business for several years possess the experience necessary to overcome unexpected obstacles or crises.

Portfolio of Work: Ask to be taken through several completed projects. This will give you brief detail about their style, quality of works as well as the sorts of works they engage in. If they have built homes from the ground up, for example, ask to see if you can stop by any of those projects.

Obtaining Detailed Estimates

This is considered the next step once one has managed to compile a shortlist of prospective contractors. It’s crucial to get everything in writing so that there are no misunderstandings as to what work they will be doing.  

Detailed Proposals: Get estimates in writing from several different contractors. Every estimate should outline each cost factor in plain sight and inclusive of; the labor costs, material costs, and others. Do not forget anything and do not make any assumptions that certain things will get done if it’s not in writing.

Comparing Estimates: A general rule of thumb is to obtain at least 3 estimates. One high, one low, and one average. This will give you a good idea of what it should cost going forward. Don’t choose the least expensive contractor unless you have verified their quality of work and service.

Understanding Contracts

This means one should always read and understand the terms of a contract before entering one. A well-drafted contract is beneficial to both the protected party as well as the contractor. The following are the provisions of the contract to consider:

Scope of Work: It is, therefore, essential that these contracts and administration specify the general plan of work to be done and the specific work to be done, the type of material to be used, etc. List the exact materials being used to eliminate any confusion.

Timeline: Make sure that a pre-specified timeframe for the particular job or project is indicated in the contract; the start and finish dates must also be included together with any other important stages referred to as ‘milestones’. Pro tip: you can offer a monetary incentive to the contractor if they finish by some earlier, specified date. You can also propose that you’ll charge a late fee for each day or week that the project is delayed.

Payment Schedule: It helps to set up a payment plan which should be based on specific stages of the undertaking. Never pay more than 10% at the beginning of a project and make sure to retain the last 10% to be paid only after the project has been satisfactorily accomplished.

Permits: Determine whether some parties will acquire the required permits and inspections or other parties will acquire them and by when.

Warranties: Whoever enters the contract should not disappear as it should also state warranties or guarantees given on workmanship and materials. Try your best to obtain a signed warranty and/or statement of guarantee BEFORE the work starts. 

Communication and Professionalism

Communication is critical throughout the project and should be used effectively. Be keen, especially on how the contractor communicates with you during the hiring process. Some of the clues that speak of a good contractor are as follows:

Responsiveness: A professional contractor will always make sure that he or she replies to all the inquiries made by the client in the shortest time possible and where necessary to clarify the questions asked.

Professionalism: Choose contractors who can make a good first impression, this is, generally, through their neat dress code, clear language, and well-prepared documents. Perhaps one with a team to help things move more smoothly.

Transparency: The reputable contractor will be clear on how the process works, the charges to be made, and any possible hitches on the work to be accomplished. 

Final Considerations

Test them a little bit before making your final choice and think about how you feel about working with each contractor. Consult your preferences and select a specialist with whom you would like to cooperate. The following are some warnings for consideration when hiring a contractor:

Warnings:

• High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Avoid contractors who make you feel that you have to make a decision at the moment or sign the paperwork right away.
• Lack of Documentation: If a contractor refuses to offer such documents like a license, insurance, and references, then it is a sign that he or she is probably not the best choice.
• Inconsistent Communication: When a contractor does not answer their phone, or emails during the hiring process it may mean that he or she will do the same after being hired.
• Procrastination: Avoid contractors that verbally assure you things will get taken care of without any action. A professional contractor will have a process to be followed that they will explain prior to engaging with a customer.

Conclusion

Finding the right contractor in Virginia is an important and thorough process. When a license is confirmed and checked with references, the estimates offered should be cross-checked along with the terms and conditions of the contract so you can opt for the best service that creates a successful construction or renovation. Do not rush, go with your gut and make sure you hire a contractor who will meet your expectations on the project. By having a professional contractor you can make all your dreams and visions of the perfect home come true. If you are looking for a curated and vetted list of contractors serving the Northern Virginia, Washington Capital Region, reach out to Nadia Khan, a local real estate agent who can provide her certified vendor list.