7 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Home Improvement Contractor

Entering a project with a new home improvement contractor requires due diligence. Your home is too valuable and your project dreams are too important to be left to chance. Still, as you start to talk to home improvement contractors about your deck or patio needs, you might be wondering what you should ask in order to make the most informed decision.As you start to gather quotes, bring this list of seven questions with you to ask the home improvement contractor. Knowing what to look for in their answers will helpyou decide who to work with and how you can be more confident in the decision you make.Still in the "ideas" phase? Download our idea book.

How Will We Communicate? 

On the surface, communication might seem straightforward , but don't take your communication expectations for granted. There are a few important areas to clarify upfront, so you know how the project will unfold. 

• Method of Communication. Can you pick up the phone and call them? Can you email them and have them get back to you with answers to your questions in a fair timeframe? 

• Communication Style. Do you understand each other? Do they get your vision for the project? Or are they after their own agenda? 

• Project Scope. Do you understand the explanations they give you regarding the project scope? Are you clear on what they’re planning to do each step of the way?

Getting clarification in these three areas will save you tremendous stress throughout the project. Knowing the answers before you select a contractor is crucial.

What Materials Do You Use?

The type of materials used to complete your project matters. If the majority of materials are purchased from a big box home improvement store, you are not getting top-of-the-line patio or deck products. If quality is a high-priority for you, it’s important that you ensure professional-grade products are being used. In addition, you’ll want to understand what the  manufacturer warranty includes, so you know how protected your patio or deck will be after the contractor completes the work. 

What is the Warranty? 

You want to work with a company that stands behind their work. Just like you will want to know the warranty on the products being used, you will also benefit from knowing the warranty of the service provided. The warranty provided by the installer should be based on the workmanship.  When you’re selecting a home improvement contractor, be sure to address where the material warranty stops and where the installation warranty begins. 

Who Will Be In Charge Of Building the Project? 

There are a variety of processes that companies might use depending on the structure of the company. If you’re working with a small owner-operator company, you will probably meet with the owner and they will be the one building on site. Larger companies, however, typically have a specialist meet with you to plan the project. If you choose to work with a larger contractor, you will have access to the company team of resources, such as a designer, project manager, foreman, and customer service. Regardless of this larger team, it’s a good idea to ask for one main point of contact to answer any questions. 

What Is Your MHIC Number? 

This question isn’t often asked by residents when hiring a home improvement contractor, but it’s an important one. Deck, patio, fence, and landscape projects fall under the state of Maryland definition of Home Improvement. Any contractor you meet with should have a license issued by the state of Maryland. In order to have an MHIC license, the company must have the required insurance in place. Once you have the number, you can then use the MHIC number to look up if there are any complaints. 

When Will The Project Start? 

If you ask your potential contractor when they can start the project, you should raise a red flag if they immediately answer, “tomorrow.” That quick start time probably means they are desperate for work, and there is usually a reason for the lack of projects in their pipeline. A more reasonable starting time frame to expect from a contractor is four to six weeks. However, in the late spring, it is not uncommon for project start dates to be pushed out eight - twelve weeks or longer as project backlogs develop at established and reputable companies. In late spring, this timeframe could be even longer. Do not assume a contractor is bluffing about how much interest they are getting and the potential of a growing backlog, or you might lose the chance to work with the quality contractor. Many times, the contractor is being upfront with you, truly knowing what their calendar looks like.  For example, in the last week of March 2022, Valley Deck & Patio closed six weeks' worth of projects for the entire company.  

How Long Will It Take? 

When you ask this question, what you’re looking for is to understand if the company you’re working for will give you realistic expectations.  Be wary of signing a contract that seems only filled with sunshine and lollipops. Do not expect an exact number of days until completion because unpredictable elements, such as things like weather, delivery schedules, or material availability could get in the way. A good contractor is honest and transparent about what things could cause the project to take longer than expected. By shining a light on these concerns, you can feel more confident that they already know how to handle potential hurdles. 

Do You Offer Financing? 

Not all companies offer a financing option or have a relationship with a lender. Because financing  is not a requirement, many top-tier  home improvement contractors do not offer it as an option to clients . It is good to know what the contractor you’re interviewing offers, so you can get all options on the table. At Valley Deck & Patio, we find many people ask about and consider financing, but then do not use it. Knowing all your options so that you can make an informed decision is valuable. Financing can be a great way to get everything you want and enjoy it all now. 

How Do You Build It? 

There is nothing proprietary about building methods. There are industry standards for building decks, patios, and walls. Even though the home improvement contractor did not invent the process uses, there are established methods that are accepted as standard. A contractor building a patio or retaining wall should use some form of ICPI or NCMA specifications. Retaining walls of a certain height will require engineering and approved permit plans. Decks should conform to a local building code and must have a certain quality standard of materials. In addition, asking about what kind of machinery the contractor uses in construction will help you understand the type of access they will need to your yard. For example, some yards have tight access but the contractor will need to bring in a large piece of machinery. Asking about the building process will help you both anticipate that need and help you understand how they’ll navigate the tight entry points.  Let us know how we can help. Request a consultation and we will be in touch.