Odin Says ...

How do You Pick a Contractor?

Aug 27, 2008

When you are a homeowner, and you need something done around your home, what do you do? Many Canadians follow the do-it-yourself approach, whether it is out of genuine interest, or to save money. Sadly, many of us do not have the slightest bit of inclination in this skill, and are therefore forced to seek outside professional help.

The challenge then is: how do you go about picking the right contractor for your needs? Whether you need electrical work, painting or plumbing done, you are bound to face a few difficulties in your selection process. Some of us are fortunate enough to have family or friends working in the field, but most of us do not have this luxury.

The bottom line is that there is no rule of thumb or best method to find and pick a contractor. The best thing to do is a little research up front to avoid any unpleasant surprises. The first thing to do is ask around your social and work networks, see if anyone can recommend a good and reliable professional. The goal is to try and find someone that has had the same type of work you require done in the past. Word of mouth can go a long way in this type of business. Directories such as the Yellow Pages (and even Seek Odin!) should only serve as plan B.

If none of your contacts can give you any good leads, then try asking the nearest hardware store, such as Home Depot, if they can give you any recommendations, as most of these stores deal with a number of contractors. Always make sure a contractor is licensed by the RBQ (Régie du bâtiment du Québec), and don’t be afraid to ask for proof (the license number can be used to verify proper accreditation).

Here are a few other things to look for: avoid hiring a contractor that says he’s overloaded with projects. These guys have a tendency of not showing up to their appointments because they’re having trouble meeting deadlines on back-to-back projects. Before finalising your selection, always try to get as much written down in a contract as possible. Also make sure you fully understand everything on your contract. This can help in case there is a dispute concerning the end result.

For larger jobs involving multiple specialties, consider hiring a general contractor to plan and oversee the different project elements. Before making your final choice, try to get quotes from three to five different contractors, and go for the middle price (an under bidder may produce lower quality work).

For more information, consult the RBQ’s English website here.