If you own real estate in the Dallas or are planning on buying in the future, it is important to find the right contractors for the job. In our latest post, we will give you some tips on what to look for and what to avoid when hiring contractors in the Dallas area.
If you have invested in real estate in the past, you’ll know that restoration and renovation processes can be stressful and rarely go as planned. However, finding the right contractors can make all the difference in your projects. You will want to find contractors who deliver high quality, at a fair price. And most importantly, the contractor you hire needs to be able to get the job done in a timely manner, completing all projects in the timeframes promised. Below are some tips to find the right people for the job.
Ask Questions
Before signing a contract or committing to hire any construction professional for work on your Dallas property, it important to have answers to some very important questions. For example, and they properly licensed and insured? Will they be handling the permit process, pulling permits for all aspects of the job? What will the payment schedule look like? How will change orders be handled? While there are a number of other things you will likely want to ask, knowing these fundamental answers will help you avoid any surprises down the road. Ask all the questions you need to before hiring someone. If they are reluctant to answer or don’t have time to provide thorough answers, it might be a sign that they aren’t doing business at the level you deserve.
Talk To Past Clients
The companies you are considering for the job should be able to provide you with references from past clients. But don’t stop there. Utilize social media and the internet to publically ask your questions. Look for neighborhood forums where you can ask about the company to your entire local community. Here you are likely to get more honest opinions as opposed to the 5 top references the contractor provides to you themselves. You can also bring your questions to your local real estate and investment groups. At least one of your fellow investors is likely to have experience working with the contractor in question. You will also be able to learn who they use for their projects, providing you with a strong pool of potential contractors for your construction job in Dallas .
Scope Out Their Online Presence
There are many websites available that will allow you to read reviews from past clients. While some negative reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, seeing consistently negative remarks is a bad sign. Check the contractor out on The BBB, with your state’s licensing board, Google, and Facebook. There are also sites such as Angie’s List and Home Advisor that specialize in home and construction services. You will be able to find detailed information about the company as well as unbiased reviews from past clients. Look for patterns, and avoid any company with an overall poor reputation.
Don’t Go With The Lowest Bid
Sure you want to save some money, but at what cost? It is not wise to go with an inexperienced or slightly shady company in order to save a buck or two. Shotty renovations, laziness with the legalities, and an overall low work ethic will end up costing you much more in the long run. While you want to make smart financial decisions, being cheap when it comes to hiring a contractor isn’t the best choice. In most cases, you get what you pay for, which usually means poor workmanship, ugly repairs, and cheap materials.
Look For The Little Things
When working with a local Dallas contractor, or any business professional for that matter, it is important to look out for the little things. Do they call back when they say they will? Do things change out of nowhere? Are they respectful of their other client’s privacy and information? Your contractor needs to have a strong work ethic and be able to deliver when they say they will. The projects need to be completed with high craftsmanship standards. If someone isn’t answering when they say they will, isn’t easily accessible for questions, and doesn’t follow through with the small things, you are at a much higher risk to have problems with the big things.
Before hiring a contractor for your Dallas investment property, it is important to take the time to do your homework. Time spent doing this is nothing compared to the time and money you could lose by hiring the wrong people for the job. All too often, investors see their profits eaten away by bad repair work. This can be avoided by some research ahead of time.
