The home renovation and handyman fields are notorious for fly-by-night contractors who over-promise, under-deliver, and take advantage of homeowners with sloppy work and poor performance. If you are about to hire a renovation contractor or handyman in Winnipeg, here are three blunders to avoid during your hiring process.

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Blunder #1: Choosing the contractor with the lowest bid on multiple quotes

Professional contractors charge more because they have credentials. They are licensed. Their businesses are insured. They follow local regulation. They also care for their work. If a contractor has the lowest bid, they might be rushing to complete your renovation, sacrificing quality or worse covering their mistakes.

Obviously, choosing the lowest price isn’t always the worst decision. Just make sure you do your due diligence before hiring. Also, make sure you get multiple quotes.

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Blunder # 2: Choosing the wrong contractor

Another consideration is reputation. Reputations for delivering good work at a fair price take years to build. Avoid contractors who have no references. Contractors should be able to give you names and numbers of satisfied clientele.

If your project requires an expert, hire an expert. Do not hire a handyman to rewire your home, unless that handyman is a licensed electrician. Do not hire a family friend to do your plumbing, unless that friend is a licensed plumber. At the end of the day, it is your decision. Don’t be the homeowner who has already spent their renovation budget, have nothing to show for it, and are mentally exhausted from their past contractor.

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Blunder #3 Hiring a contractor without a plan

One of the biggest disappointments you can have while renovating is hiring a contractor only to discover at the end of the project that you don’t like the colours, design or the quality. Work with professionals who show you blueprints or three-dimensional pictures to help you see and experience what your home will look like upon completion.

To avoid disappointment, ask to see paint chips, fabric patches, countertop samples, flooring samples and other materials in place, in your home, so that you are not surprised on the day of completion.

Typically, 42% of the inquiries received by the Better Business Bureau will be about residential contractors, including roofing contractors, general contractors and painting contractors. This is because hiring a contractor is a major decision, and a costly one if you hire poorly. Avoid these common blunders, and you’ll be on your way to a successful project.

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About the author

Brett Schreyer is a renovation professional for The Local Carpenter. You can reach Brett at info@thelocalcarpenter.com.

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