So you just bought a new place (congrats!) Are you looking at doing some updates? Or maybe you’re prepping your place for sale and want top dollar. Whatever the situation, one thing is clear; having the right contractor can make all the difference!
At Porches & Pastures, our team has seen everything from stunning renovations to contractor nightmares. Here are some of our favorite tips to finding a trusted contractor that will do the job right.
Why Going Local Makes Sense
When doing your research, you might be tempted to go with a big name company that’s out of town. Just know that staying local comes with a bunch of perks! These include:
Easier Communication
Working with someone local means faster responses and more opportunities for face-to-face communication. Being in the same time zone (likely just a short drive apart) means scheduling meetings, last minute walk-throughs, or last minute changes much easier. It also allows for better collaboration and fewer delays.
Local Reputation
When you are hiring somebody locally, they are invested with their reputation with the community. A contractor who lives nearby is more likely to go the extra mile because their next job might be your neighbor, your co-worker, or a friend of a friend. This added accountability often translates to higher quality work, better communication, and a stronger commitment to getting the job done right.
They Know the Rules
Local contractors are well-versed in the specific building codes, zoning laws, and permit requirements of the Lake Eufaula area. This kind of knowledge can save you time, money, and headaches down the line, making the entire experience more streamlined from start to finish.
You Are Supporting Our Hometown Economy
….and that’s always a good thing! When you hear “shop local,” that applies to more than just retail!
Start with Referrals and Reviews
If you aren’t sure where to begin, your real estate agent is a gold mine of information (and your friendly Porches & Pastures team is always ready to help!) Here are a few other places to check:
Community Resources
The Lake Eufaula area is a tight-knit community with friendly neighbors and folks who look out for one another. This extends to sharing local recommendations. Check out places like Facebook community groups which often have threads where people share contractor experiences. Another great resource is Nextdoor. Because it’s a neighborhood based platform, you can look for local recommendations, reviews, ask for referrals, and connect directly with people who may have recently hired a contractor.
Contracting Platforms
Places like Houzz, Angi, and HomeAdvisor make it easy to search for local contractors and search by specialty, rating, or availability. You can also browse portfolios of past work, read verified client reviews, see how long they’ve been in business, and compare multiple pros all in one place.
Word of Mouth
Good old word of mouth still reigns supreme. Talk with friends and family in the area, neighbors, and local business owners who work in home services (think real estate agents, roofers, electricians, etc.) If you hear a name repeatedly, that’s a good sign!
When you combine community wisdom, online research, and expert guidance, you’ll start to see a few names mentioned over and over again. Then the real vetting begins….
What To Ask Before You Hire
Once you have gathered some info, it’s time to dig a little deeper. Here are some questions to ask to make sure the contractor you hire is someone solid. Remember, this is someone you are trusting with your home and your budget!
- Are you licensed and insured in Oklahoma?
This is a biggie. A legit contractor should be properly licensed and carry both general liability and worker’s comp insurances. This protects you in the event something goes wrong on the job including damages to the property or injuries to someone. If a contractor seems uncomfortable with this question, it’s time to walk away and find someone new.
- Do you have experience with this type of project?
Just as you wouldn’t hire an electrician to landscape your yard, your contractor needs hands-on experience with the kind of work you are looking for. Bonus if they have photos of past work or referrals from a past client. - What does your timeline look like?
A timeline doesn’t just let you know when the work begins, it gives you a rough estimate of how long the job will take. They should also let you know how they will handle delays if they should come up. Clear expectations help to avoid frustration later.
- Who will be doing the work? Do you use subcontractors?
Some contractors have their own crew, while some use subcontractors. While either is fine, it’s good to know who will be at your property and if they are licensed and insured.
- How do you handle payment?
Every contractor has their own payment system, but it’s typically handled in stages rather than paying everything up front. In fact, any contractor that requires all payment to be handled before the job begins should be avoided as it’s a big risk to you.
Reputable contractors usually accept payments in milestones tied to a project’s progress. This is essential to ensure accountability while keeping the contractor highly motivated to meet quality standards and deadlines.
Don’t be shy about asking these questions up front; it can save you major headaches later.
Get Everything in Writing
We love a good handshake deal as much as the next guy, but when it comes to expenses on a big project such as a renovation, repair, or anything involving your property, it is wise to put it in writing.
A written contract protects everyone involved and sets up expectations for all parties. This will be really helpful should anything come up such as unexpected costs, material delays, or scheduling hiccups with the crew. Here are a few key items to include:
- The full scope of work
By full scope, we mean what is and is not being done. Are they replacing the wood floor or just refinishing it? Are they updating the entire kitchen including the appliances? The more detail, the better and less guessing games down the road. - Materials and finishes
You don’t want to assume anything. If quartz counters are what you are looking for, then your contract should state that. The contract should also list all major materials including brands and product numbers if you have picked them out. - Start dates and finish dates
Renovations and home projects can take awhile, but they shouldn’t seem endless. While you may run into issues down the road, having a target start and end date helps to keep everyone on track and manage expectations.
- Payment schedule
This should lay out your total costs, when payments are due, and what milestones may trigger each payment (like a deposit, halfway point, and final walk-through.) This helps protect you from overpaying before the job is done. - Warranties or guarantees
Good contractors stand by the work. Your contract should spell out what is covered if there are any problems and for how long. Even if it’s just a one-year warranty on labor, it’s good to get that peace of mind.
In sum, a contract isn’t a lack of trust. It’s about protecting your investment and ensuring that everyone is on the same page. If you have a contractor not willing to put something in writing, consider that a major red flag.
Speaking of which….
Watch for Red Flags
Like with anything, trust your gut. If something feels off, then it probably is. While you may not have a contractor that’s out to scam you, you might want to investigate further or decide to move on. Here are a few things to watch out for:
- Vague or shifting estimates
If a contractor is willing to give you an estimate without seeing the space, or if they give you a really broad estimate, that’s a warning sign. You should be able to get a very clear and itemized estimate that lists everything that is included. Vague communication now is a sign for more issues to come. - Requests for large upfront payments
While it’s normal to pay a deposit upfront to get scheduled or cover early material costs, a contractor that’s asking for half or more of the total cost before they’ve even shown up is cause for alarm. Any contractor worth their salt will break payments into stages that are tied to the progress of the project. - No references
A professional contractor with reputable work should be able to provide references from past clients. If they dodge the question or can’t provide this information, move on. - Poor communication
If they take a long time to respond to your questions or constantly forget things you have discussed, this is another red flag. Contractors are busy, but clients are their bread and butter. And if the communication is poor from the beginning, it’s not likely to get any better as the project moves along. - Pressure on decisions
If you’ve done your homework and researched a contractor with a great reputation in the industry, they are likely going to be pretty busy and have limited availability. While this may indeed be the case, this should not pressure you to decide before you are ready.
Remember: it’s ok to walk away if you aren’t feeling comfortable. It’s not being difficult, it’s being smart!
Trust, but Verify
Even after a good impression, do your homework! This means:
- Ask for and actually check references.
Call past clients and ask about their experience. Did the contractor stay on schedule? Did they have quality work? How did they handle any issues? And lastly….would they hire them again? Collecting this info from more than one client should give you a good picture of who you are dealing with. - Look up credentials and ratings such as:
Licensing status
Insurance coverage
BBB rating if they are listed
If they’re registered with professional organizations or trade associations, that’s another great sign. - Ask to see photos of past projects.
The proof is in the pudding! Look at photos of past projects or even ask to see them in person.
Local Love
The great part about living and working in the Lake Eufaula area is the incredible network of hardworking folks who take pride in what they do, and do it well. Whether you are updating your home, restoring a historic property, or finally tackling that kitchen renovation, having a local expert on your side makes all the difference.
At Porches & Pastures, we’ve built relationships with some of the area’s most trusted contractors, and we are happy to point you in the right direction. From licensed electricians and roofers to finish carpenters and painters, our network runs deep and local.
If you aren’t sure where to start, give us a call or stop by the office. We are more than happy to connect you with local contractors we know and trust. Folks who have helped our clients (and possibly our own team members) make their house feel like home.
If you are a contractor that would love to connect, drop us a line! We are always looking to connect with more pros in the industry.
Need help getting your home renovation started? Our Porches & Pastures team is here to connect you with the right local professionals!
