Top

Choosing A Contractor

Follow these steps for choosing a Atlanta electrical contractor!

Choosing a contractor can be an arduous task. Have you ever watched those remodeling shows on HGTV? You know shows like Holmes on Homes or Renovation Realities that show you all the horrible things that can go wrong when remodeling your kitchen or bathroom. It’s so scary sometimes it makes you not want to make changes to improve your home for fear of choosing the wrong contractor. No worries. We’re going to give you a few steps to following when choosing a contractor so you don’t have a remodeling nightmare on your hands.

The first step to choosing a contractor is word of mouth advertising. Doesn’t it make you feel better when a good friend or relative gives you the name of a contractor they used to complete a remodel? It takes some of the pressure off of finding a contractor and knowing you can trust them. A referral is also helpful to good contractors as it gives them continuous new business.

Next you want to look for credentials. Contractors should have credentials listed on their website. If the company hasn’t moved into the millennium, you should be able to find them on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Contractors should be licensed, bonded and insured before starting a home improvement project on your property. Each state has required licenses for contractors, you can check to see if they are current here for the state of Georgia. verify.sos.ga.gov/websites/verification/. Also ask if your contractor is from a drug free work environment.

Have a conversation with your potential contractors. Asking questions before you start a job makes for less questions after a job is done. Make sure the contractor is knowledgeable and can answer all your questions. Direct communication should always be open. Here are some key questions to ask: How long have your employees worked with you? How do they required payments, how much up front, and how often do they request money draws? How do they handle changes to the plans? Ask about the vendors and material that they use. And ask about how and how often they stay on budget. And lastly ask how detailed their written estimates are. The more detailed the estimate the less likelihood of making the most dreaded mistake of ASSUMING something is being done. When in doubt always ask.

You also want to check for references. There are plenty of online directories where consumers can use contractors and leave comments about their work. Reading online reviews are helpful. They act as an additional referral when choosing. They should also be able to provide you contact information for some of their previous recent customers, nothing over 1-2 years old. If they are unable to do this, then they might be trying to hide something.

Lastly, you want to check the company’s business experience. Do they have a permanent mailing address? Are they easy to contact or do you have hard time tracking them down? How long has the company been in business? These are just a few questions to keep in mind when choosing a contractor.

McCauley Electrical Service wants you to be educated when choosing a contractor. We want you to know what to get in writing form the contractor such as bid price, payment scheduling, site plans and warranties. Everything needs to get the green light before you can go forward with remodeling your home. If you need an electrical contractor, McCauley Electrical Service is ready to be your electrician of choice.