A contractor explains how to hire a good contractor in 3 steps

Before you reach out to any contractors, do some reflecting about what’s most important to you. Are you looking for the lowest price? Are you looking for someone who can complete the project as quickly as possible? Are you looking for the highest-quality craftsmanship? Starting with a good understanding of what you value will help you find the contractor who’s the right fit for your project.

This is why getting three bids is not the end-all-be-all when it comes to doing your due diligence. If you make three bids the ultimate arbiter, you’re essentially setting yourself up to make a decision that’s driven by price. While that might be right if paying the lowest price is the thing you value the most — take a minute to think about whether that’s your goal. And keep in mind that there are still steps you can take to compare pricing.

Grace suggests asking around to get a few contractor names. You could try asking for recommendations at your local lumber yard, or ask friends and neighbors who have recently completed projects. If you’re working with an interior designer or an architect, they could steer you toward a contractor too. We can also help you find a contractor in your area who specializes in our windows. 

Once you have a few names in hand, familiarize yourself with their approach and their work. Here’s how he suggests doing that:

• Read online reviews, such as Google reviews.
• Check out their portfolio, which might be on their website or social media.

Once you’ve found a contractor whose work you admire, arrange to have a conversation. Treat that conversation like an interview. Grace advises against starting with, “We’re looking for a price or an estimate.” “I would rather clients reach out and ask about discussing needs,” he said. 

Be curious and ask things like:

• What’s your specialty?
• What type of work don’t you do?
• What might I expect to pay for this type of job?
• What’s your lead time?

During this conversation, you could also ask if they’d be willing to connect you with any past clients. Speaking with a past client, and perhaps going to see a completed project, will tell you a lot about how they conduct their business and the quality of their craftsmanship.

Through your research process, a picture of the contractor should start to emerge. If you like what you’re seeing, this is the time to ask for a bid. 

When you’ve got a bid or two in hand, remember that you want to see a scope of work, budget, and timeline. Here’s what you might expect to understand about each of these items:

• The scope of work: Does it describe in detail what the contractor proposes to do? For example, does it specify the window manufacturer and the type and quantity of windows to be installed?
• The budget: Is there a breakdown included so it’s clear what costs are associated with labor and what costs are associated with materials?
• The timeline: Does the timeline include start and completion dates? Does it illuminate the scope of work and budget by describing the specific steps the work entails and when they’ll get done? 

When you’re comparing multiple bids, it’s going to be easier to make an apples-to-apples comparison if you have a completed design for your project. In the case that you don’t have a completed design, like in the case of a window replacement project, don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions. For example, if you’ve been given a lump sum for the budget, ask for a breakdown. A good contractor should be willing to tell you exactly what you are paying for.

At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that any bid will be based on assumptions. It’s impossible to know exactly what’s in the walls before opening them up. Grace gave the example of remodeling a home that’s 100-plus-years-old. In that scenario, he’d propose a scope of work, budget, and timeline with the best information he has available, but it’s still possible he might discover rot when he goes to replace the windows. Because you always have to expect the unexpected in a home project, ask your contractor how they communicate changes throughout the project. 

Sometimes “change orders” are used so there’s documentation that the scope of a project has changed and, consequently, the cost has changed. Whatever your contractor’s approach, be sure to ask the question of “What happens if you discover something unexpected?” so you’re clear on how it will be handled.