Hiring a door and window contractor is a big deal. You’re putting your hard-earned money on the line along with trusting someone to treat your home with respect. You want to be careful about who you hire, and you want to make sure you’re getting what you need.
There’s no way to tell the future, but there are some smart choices you can make to ensure that you’re hiring a door and window contractor who’s good at what they do. Educating yourself on all aspects of what you need will go a long way toward your peace of mind when you finally do decide on hiring a door and window contractor.
There are no guarantees, but there is the consumer’s guide to hiring a door and window contractor.
Hiring a Door and Window Contractor with the Right Qualifications
To start with, one non-negotiable requirement when it comes to hiring a door and window contractor is that he or she holds the necessary qualifications. Like we mentioned before, you’re trusting this person (and every person who works for them) with some pretty important stuff — like your money and your home. You want to make sure, at the very least, that they have the necessary qualifications required by the state you live in.
Qualifications for hiring a door and window contractor will vary by state, but every state has a minimum licensing requirement. You want to make sure that your door and window contractor is not only licensed, but insured and bonded, too. If you don’t, there can be some nasty consequences.
But don’t fret about asking for the documentation to prove that your potential contractor is legitimate. It’s actually a pretty good litmus test. A good door and window contractor will not blink an eye when you ask about his qualifications, and a great door and window contractor will likely offer these documents before you even ask.
If you receive any push back or excuses about why a particular contractor isn’t up to date on his licensing, that’s your sign to turn and run. Count yourself lucky that you didn’t have to find out the hard way that that contractor was no good.
Checking References and Reviews for Your Door and Window Contractor
Once you’ve decided on hiring a door and window contractor with the right qualifications, you’ll need to check their references and reviews before you finalize your plans.
One of the easier places to start looking for reviews is actually Facebook. Many businesses have dedicated Facebook pages for their businesses, but there’s also a place for customers to leave reviews. You can also look for reviews on websites like Yelp which solely exist as an online review site.
Most places you find that have online reviews for door and window contractors will give you a pretty decent look at what customers are saying about their experiences. You’ll likely see great reviews, middle of the road reviews, and terrible reviews. Make sure you read through the customer’s explanations to gain real insight into the situation.
These review sites also offer the opportunity for the door and window contractors to respond to the reviews their customers leave. This is a great place to look to get a real feel for how a door and window contractor will handle your specific job.
If you see a lot of excuse making, you might want to steer clear of that door and window contractor. But if you see a lot of grateful interaction and professionalism, then you might want to dig a little deeper. Those are qualities you want to see when you’re hiring a door and window contractor.
When you get to checking references, we recommend reaching out to the specific door and window contractor, themselves. They can provide you with contact information, so you can speak to a real live person about their experience. Do keep in mind that the contractor has hand-picked this individual. So, they’re likely to pick someone they know will speak highly of them.
Hammer Out the Details Before Hiring a Door and Window Contractor
When you’ve finally found a door and window contractor who ticks all the boxes, you’ll want to sit down and hammer out all the details before you sign anything. There are several documents that you should expect from your door and window contractor. The most important one is the contract.
A good door and window contractor will have these documents largely ready to go, although there will be specifics related to your actual project. How a contractor handles his paperwork is a good indicator of his organization. You can’t always assume that a contractor whose paperwork is messy will also have a messy work site, but it is worth taking note.
Make sure you discuss all of your expectations with the business owner before actually hiring a door and window contractor. One document you want to see and discuss frequently is known as the scope of the project. You definitely want to decide on the scope of your renovation project before hiring a door and window contractor.
The scope of the project contains all the details of who actually does what. You’ll usually include information about what you “must-have” in your home improvement project and what you’d “like to have.” This information gives your potential door and window contractor the ability to give you a comprehensive contract that includes detailed cost estimations.
It’s really in everyone’s best interest to hammer out the details before hiring a door and window contractor. That way, if something isn’t going to work, you find out before it’s too late.
Find a Contractor Who Offers Door and Window Contractor Financing
And finally, when it comes to hiring a door and window contractor, find one who offers door and window contractor financing as well. If you’ve been wondering what the best financing options are for your next door and window projects, then finding a contractor who offers contractor financing through HFS Financial is one of the best options you could find.
You can get all the door and window contractor financing you need from the qualified contractor you do decide to hire. Or, you can apply directly with our HFS Financial team, and it only takes about a minute. You’ll be well on your way to having beautiful new doors and windows. With HFS Financial, “You Dream It, We Finance It.”