The backyard is the place that brings your whole family together. It’s a place where memories are made and stories shared around an evening fire while roasting marshmallows. Having the perfect backyard renovation will ensure that you’re happy with this spot for years to come, so get ready to find the contractor who can get it done right.
When looking for a contractor, here’s what you should keep an eye out for:
1. Experience
The more experience they have, the better! Don’t expect someone who has worked on five projects in their lifetime to bring your vision to life just as well as an individual who has undertaken eighty or ninety projects.
Typically, companies without much experience tend to take shortcuts and cut costs because they lack the tools and knowledge needed.
2. Professionalism
It’s important to ensure that the contractor you choose is professional in all aspects of their life. They should have sensible business hours, not be glued to their phone while you address your concerns, and they shouldn’t gossip about other clients.
If they are hard to get a hold of or rude on the phone, it’s unlikely that they’ll provide you with stellar service either. Find someone who is kind enough to give off positive energy!
3. Competitive Prices
A good contractor will always offer competitive prices because otherwise, they won’t get any new clients.
With this being said, make sure to do some research on different quotes so that you know what’s reasonable and what isn’t — if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
4. Proper Equipment
If a contractor doesn’t have the proper equipment to excavate, demolish, haul away debris, and bring in new materials, then this could spell trouble.
A good contractor should have a variety of tools at their disposal. For example, you want a pool built in your backyard; then the contractor should have high-quality excavators, backhoes, and dump trucks.
5. Customer Service
A good contractor will treat your backyard renovation as if they were paying for the service themselves!
They should be kind and patient when answering questions or addressing concerns and never make you feel like you’re being judged when asking anything, from how many trees need to be removed to how much gravel is needed.
6. Insurance/Licensing
You should ALWAYS verify whether a contractor has insurance and licensing because sometimes, even the nicest person can make a mistake.
This is especially true with landscaping contractors who may remove areas of your yard that contain hazardous materials without realizing there’s anything to be concerned about. This could result in you paying for expensive clean up if they aren’t properly insured!
7. References
A good contractor will be happy to provide you with a list of references who have had similar projects done. This way, you can see if they’re satisfied with the contractor’s quality of work and customer service.
Remember that even though something looks great from afar, it might not be as lovely up close!
8. Previous Projects
It’s also important to take a look at any previous projects that your prospective contractor has undertaken.
You should ask yourself whether their style is in line with what you want for your backyard renovation project before committing — this is a great way to make sure everything flows well together!
9. Diversity of Clients
It’s also important for you to note if your potential contractor has worked on projects for anyone in your city/neighborhood before — this could result in an efficient project because they already have first-hand experience with the area!
On the other hand, if you’re looking for someone who specializes in luxury renovations, developing multi-million dollar properties, or something else along those lines, then someone without any previous clients would be more suited to implement your vision.
10. Flexibility
Finally, it’s beneficial to go with a flexible contractor who can work around your schedule. This way, the project won’t be rushed, and you’ll get exactly what you envisioned for your backyard renovation!
Try keeping communication open by checking in on their progress regularly, so that little snags don’t come up unexpectedly. The perfect backyard renovation starts with finding the perfect contractor!
When looking for a contractor, there are many things that should be considered to ensure that the experience is positive from start to finish. Remember that even though something may look great in pictures, it might not translate well in real life — check out any previous projects done by prospective contractors and try to find one who has worked on similar projects before. Having a good relationship with your contractor will ensure that the project is carried out as you
