7 Questions to Ask a Contractor Before Renovating Your Hamilton Home

Renovating your home can be exciting, but choosing the right contractor is an important part of the process.

Whether you're updating a kitchen, renovating a bathroom or tackling a larger project, you're trusting someone with your home and a significant amount of money.

Before you hire anyone, take the time to interview a few contractors and ask some basic questions.

Here are seven worth asking.

1. Are you properly licensed and insured?

Ask the contractor about their licensing and insurance before you hire them.

You want to understand what coverage they carry and who is responsible if something goes wrong during the project.

Don't be uncomfortable asking for documentation. You're hiring someone to work on your home, and it's reasonable to understand who you're dealing with.

2. Can you provide a detailed cost breakdown?

Don't rely solely on one overall number.

Ask for an itemized estimate that explains what you're paying for, including labour, materials and other anticipated costs.

A detailed estimate also makes it easier to understand what is included—and what isn't.

If you make changes during the project, get those changes documented rather than relying on a verbal agreement.

3. What is the expected timeline?

Ask when the work is expected to begin and how long the contractor expects it to take.

Renovations don't always go exactly according to plan. Materials can be delayed, unexpected problems can be discovered once walls or floors are opened up, and other circumstances can affect the schedule.

The important thing is to establish expectations before the work begins and understand how changes or delays will be communicated.

4. How much experience do you have with this type of project?

A contractor who regularly performs the type of renovation you're planning may be better positioned to anticipate the challenges involved.

Ask how long they've been in business and how much experience they have with projects similar to yours.

If you're renovating an older Hamilton home, for example, experience with older housing stock can be particularly useful.

5. Can you provide references?

Don't rely entirely on online reviews.

Ask whether the contractor can provide references from previous customers who had similar work completed.

When speaking with a reference, ask about more than the finished product.

Were they happy with the communication? Did the project stay reasonably close to the expected timeline? Were there unexpected costs? How did the contractor handle problems?

Those answers can tell you a lot.

6. Who is responsible for permits?

Some renovation work requires permits, while other work may not.

Ask your contractor what permits are required for your particular project and who will be responsible for obtaining them.

If permits are required, make sure you understand the process and keep copies of the relevant documentation for your records.

If you're unsure whether a project requires a permit, check with the appropriate municipality rather than relying solely on an assumption.

7. Will everything be put in writing?

This may be the most important question of all.

Before work begins, make sure you have a written agreement covering the important details of the project.

That should include things such as:

• the scope of work
• materials
• estimated costs
• payment schedule
• expected timeline
• how changes will be handled
• responsibilities for permits and approvals

A written agreement gives everyone a clear reference point if questions or disagreements arise later.

One more thing to consider

Before spending a significant amount of money on a renovation, ask yourself why you're doing it.

If you're renovating because you're going to enjoy the home for years, that's one consideration.

If you're thinking about selling soon, the decision is different.

Not every renovation is worth doing before a sale, and spending $30,000 doesn't automatically mean you'll recover $30,000 in the sale price.

Sometimes a smaller amount of work—or simply cleaning, decluttering and making necessary repairs—is the more sensible approach.

That's why I recommend looking at the whole picture before you start writing cheques.

If you're considering a renovation in your Hamilton home and you're also thinking about selling, I'm happy to help you think through the project before you commit to the expense.

Sincerely,
Mike McCarthy, MBA
REALTOR®