How To Choose A Contractor 101

Written By Carli Holas

Planning your yard project is exciting but choosing the right contractor for the job can be stressful. We work with a LOT of contractors, and here’s what we say to homeowners that are shopping around for some professional help.

1. BE CLEAR ON YOUR PROJECT

The best way to ensure you partner with the right professional is to be clear on the type of work you want completed. Your wishlist can be as big as you want, but you should have a general idea of whether you need help building a paver patio, versus installing a water feature, or building a retaining wall.

2. ASK FOR REFERRALS

See a yard in your neighborhood you love? Ask your neighbor for the contact info for their professional. Ask your online groups, friends, family, and co-workers for suggestions on who to check out, especially if they’ve recently completed a similar type of project. Be sure to check out each contractor’s BBB-rating and their reviews on Google and social media.

3. PICTURES OR IT DIDN’T HAPPEN

Once you’ve chosen a few contractors to investigate, asking for pictures of previous jobs similar to yours, as well as references make perfect sense, and are expected requests.

4. MULTIPLE BIDS

It’s always a good idea to ask for a quote from a few different contractors. You’d be surprised how different each quote can be, and by seeing what each includes in their proposal will give you better visibility into the type of work each is looking to complete.

5. BONDS, INSURANCE BONDS

While not mandatory for most yard projects, you may be more comfortable working with a contractor that is bonded and insured, and even licensed to work on your specific request. Also, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to obtain any HOA approval or permits required for a yard project. Make sure these items are taken care of before starting any work, even if it’s a DIY project.

6. CONTRACTS ARE IMPORTANT

To protect both you and your chosen professional, make sure a contract, or scope of work is prepared that you both agree to. This removes any assumptions as to the work that will be completed, and outlines a payment schedule you both agree to.

We’re excited to work with you on choosing the best products for your project, and look forward to working with your chosen contractor as well!

Carli Holas