Finding the right window and door replacement contractor is easier said than done. But as long as you know exactly what to look for, the process of picking out a good contractor to work with on your home can be painless.
Window and Door Replacement Hiring the Right Contractor – Part 2: Qualities to Look for in a Contractor
Many contractors are smooth talkers — so how to you separate the wheat from the chaff? Don’t fall for contractors who could turn out to be the exact opposite of what they claim to be. It’s okay for you to be a little wary of signing on the dotted line if a potential contractor fails to meet some of the qualities you expect of him, such as:
Having extensive experience in window and door installation – Experienced contractors expect you to ask about previous work and should have no problem furnishing you with references or showing you samples of similar jobs they’ve done in the past. Be proactive about speaking with past clients to get a better feel of how the contractor actually performs.
Is willing to listen to your problems and concerns – Many contractors focus too much on impressing your with their portfolio or encyclopedic sets of skills. As a result, they fail to actively listen to you and to address your specific wants and needs. Try to stay away from these types of contractors — they’ll most likely do what they think needs to be done, rather than listening to you and accommodating your preferences.
They have an excellent reputation – One of the easiest ways to find a good contractor is to ask for recommendations. A highly recommended contractor is often someone who cares about his relationships with his clients and subsequently strives to earn a good reputation for himself and the company he represents.
Keep in mind that while years of experience will certainly count, some contractors, even if they are a bit new to the industry, can perform just well as long as they possess the other two qualities described above.
When hiring a contractor, you’ll want to do an interview before you finalize the deal. In the last part of this series, we’ll share some of the essential questions you should ask a contractor to help you decide whether or not to hire them.
