When your home is in need of repairs, it may be time to call for help. How do you know when you need help?
First, you need to honestly access your skills. You may not be able to remodel your own kitchen if you cannot complete a basic chair assembly. When it comes to your home, you need have to the completed, but you also need to have the job completed correctly. It would be a terrible waste of your time and money to get in over your head and end up having to call someone to fix what you have started than to just have it done correctly and professionally the first time around.
Also consider whether you will have the time to complete the entire project. You do not want to end up stuck without a bathroom for a month because you do not have the time to complete the project in an efficient time frame. Your neighbors like you, but not that much.
How do you find the right professional? It's not as easy as it seems. It will require some digging to find someone you can trust.
If you have a large remodeling project at hand, you will need to contact a general contractor. If you have a smaller task at hand, such as painting, repair work, etc., you will need to call a handyman.
A general contractor will complete your large scale project by hiring all skilled tradesman necessary to complete the job, obtaining all required permits, purchasing all the materials your job requires, and covering all details from start to finish. The homeowner will usually sign a contract with a general contractor and he or she will be your main point of contact throughout your project's process..
A handyman is for small jobs you have requiring maintenance around the house. A handyman will fix your broken fence, fix a broken door, replace a broken window, etc.
Some good ways to find a trusted contractor are to ask for recommendations from friends and family. You can also make phone calls and hold personal interviews with prospected contractors and be sure to ask for references. Another great way to feel at ease is to know that your contractor is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Make sure your contractor is also licensed to do business and insured. This should relieve you of any future stress in case of an accident and help with your decision process.
The second step is to make sure you hire someone easy-going and who you can work with. The cheapest bid is not always the best person for the job. They may not have the qualifications to perform the necessary work you need accurately.
Before you dive into that next big project on your own, access your skill level and time constraints. If you feel you need to hire a contractor, do your homework and make sure you hire the right person for the right job.
Ted Polczynski, Vice-President of Ideal Homes, provides custom new home builds, remodels, and handyman services to Southeastern Wisconsin.
