What To Look For in a Contractor

When you need some work done–whether it’s at home or the office–the first step to making it happen is finding a contractor. That may seem like a tall order if you’ve never been in this position. Where do you even start? How do you know who to call? Should you shop around? What makes a contractor a good fit for your project specifically?

These are all great questions, and they’re certainly not uncommon. At BCU Electric, we often work with clients who have never hired a contractor before; part of our job is to make them feel comfortable with the process. But this isn’t (or shouldn’t be) top-secret information, so we wanted to share our list of things to look for in a contractor.

1. Licensing and Insurance

The first and most important checklist item when searching for a contractor is their license. If they don’t have proper state licensing and credentials, they don’t make the cut. This may seem harsh, but there’s a method to our madness. 

Let’s say you hire an unlicensed contractor to do some home renovations. A few years later, you decide to sell your home; of course, you’ll want to boast the updates to potential buyers. Most real estate agents, however, won’t allow you to claim those renovations if you can’t prove the work was done by a reputable and licensed contractor, which means your asking price can’t reflect that work either. See, licensing is key.

A close second to licensing is insurance. By knowing your contractor has the appropriate insurance, you’re protecting yourself in the event that someone on the crew has an unfortunate accident while working on your property. You’re covered, and so are they.

2. Experience and Reputation

In the world of contracting–and just about everywhere else–reputation precedes. It won’t be hard to find out whether or not the contractor has a good track record with past and current clients and if the work they’re doing is satisfactory. 

Don’t be afraid to ask around about the contractors you’re considering, but also don’t be afraid to ask the contractors themselves about their experience with whatever project you’re taking on. Even the contractors’ suppliers are a great resource. Trust your gut and the advice you receive from reliable sources.

3. Professionalism, Communication, and Transparency

While construction might be traditionally viewed as blue collar, it’s important to keep in mind that you don’t have to wear a suit and tie or work in a fancy office to practice professionalism. At its core, professionalism is all about holding yourself, your business, and yourself to a high set of standards and operating in ways that maintain those standards. The way contractors train their crews, the way they communicate, the way they perform, the way they present and handle contracts and finances, and the way they approach client relationships is all part of professionalism. 

Contractors who can never seem to be reached, are unresponsive, aren’t transparent about costs and timelines, or worse, dismiss client concerns, may not be a good fit for a professional working relationship. 

The Bottom Line

Hiring a contractor shouldn’t be stressful or scary. No matter the project, you want to know that the work is in good hands and that you’ll be satisfied with the outcome. By keeping just a few specific elements in mind, your contractor search will be both easy and successful.

BCU Electric provides electrical contracting services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. We’re licensed, insured, experienced, and professional. With 30 years of service under our belt, we pride ourselves on the work we do. Reach out to one of our project managers for all your electrical contracting questions today!