Finding the Right Special Trade Contractor

Finding the right special trade contractor isn't as easy as it might sound. Take a leaking foundation, for example. You might need a veritable army of contractors to fix all your problems, including a structural engineer, a concrete contractor, landscapers, mold remediation specialists, and a general contractor, to name a few. In the ever specialized world of contracting, knowing who to call can be overwhelming to say the least. Here's a few suggestions to help you narrow the search down and ensure that you're getting the right person, or persons, to get your job done right.

Consult a Contractor Referral Company
Contractor referral companies, like ServiceMagic, are in the business of matching the right contractors to the right customers. Usually these services will take an initial survey about the work you need done, evaluate your responses, and then put you in touch with the contractor or contractors you will need to move forward and get your job completed. Remember, the reputations of these companies ride on connecting you with the right service professional the first time, so they're an excellent resource if you're unsure of exactly who you need to call.

Ask around to Find a Good Special Trade Contractor
Another proven place to go if you're looking for a good contractor is to start asking friends, families, and neighbors if they've ever had any similar work done and who they ended up hiring. You'll be amazed at how much information you get in the form of referrals to good companies, warnings about bad experiences, and general advice about to which type of contractor to call in the first place. The best part about asking around: you'll know that you're getting information from people you can trust.

Contact At Least Three Different Contractors About the Job
This takes some effort and patience, since most homeowners want their projects done as soon as possible. Still, talking to at least three different contractors, and taking bids on the work, is perhaps the best form of quality control you're going to get. You'll get a good idea of how much your project will cost, what it will entail, and who you might need to bring in besides the type of special trade contractor you initially contacted. You can also use this information to weed out dishonest individuals (beware of outrageously high or low bids), and to get second and third opinions about the extent of your undertaking. Once you've narrowed down your choices, ask for and check references. Past customers are one of the best ways to learn about what kind of service and work you're likely to receive. As for contractors who balk at providing references, you're wise to tell them to hit the road.

Start General
Our final suggestion is to start broad and work down when it comes to making initial contacts. General contractors, for example, are in the business of evaluating a building project and then bringing in the appropriate special trade contractor, or contractors, to do necessary work along the way. Architects, structural engineers, and interior designers are other professionals whose job description involves developing plans that should include who else to call and hire to get a job done right.

A special trade contractor is a valuable asset to any homeowner once you've figured out whose expertise you need. By using these basic guidelines as a starting point, you're sure to get off on the right foot and find the right specialty trade contractor for your home improvement project, whatever that might be.