Home improvements that are done right can make your home more functional and energy-efficient and can increase its resale value. There are many home improvement companies out there. While most are reputable and deliver good results, some cut corners or aren’t always honest. Here are some tips to help you choose the right home improvement company for your project.
Look for a Well-Established, Local Business
Some home improvement companies have only been in business for a short amount of time. Being new doesn’t necessarily mean a company won’t do good work, but it means that it doesn’t have an established track record. It’s safe to assume that a company that has been around for decades has served its clients well. Otherwise, it wouldn’t still be in business.
Some home improvement contractors can only be reached by phone. That can make it difficult or impossible to track down a contractor if you have a question or a problem. Working with a company that has a long-standing presence in your community and a physical address nearby can give you peace of mind.
Ask People You Trust for Recommendations
Word of mouth is the best form of advertising. If you have any family members or friends who have had work done on their homes recently, ask them which companies they worked with and if they were satisfied with the results.
Don’t automatically choose a home improvement company based on a recommendation. Someone you know may have been thrilled with a new deck, but that may be irrelevant if you want to have new windows installed. Some home improvement companies specialize in specific types of projects so they can provide top-notch results, but they may be less qualified to perform other types of work.
Check Online Resources
There are plenty of websites where previous customers can post comments about their experiences with home improvement companies. That type of honest, unfiltered feedback can help you make a decision.
You can check the Better Business Bureau’s website to learn how many complaints have been filed against a particular company and whether they were resolved. It’s common for any business to receive some complaints, but a large number of complaints about poor installation, serious mistakes that created safety hazards, or failure to meet the terms of a contract should be red flags.
Interview a Few Candidates
Once you have narrowed your search to a handful of companies, get in touch to ask questions. Inquire about their experience performing the type of work you want to have done, whether the job would be done by employees or subcontractors and whether the company is licensed and insured. Request references so you can learn about recent customers’ experiences.