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5 Steps you Should Take Before Hiring a Contractor

By September 5, 2016August 9th, 2022Contracting Tips

Before choosing a contractor, it is important that you ask the right questions to make sure you will be getting what you need.

On your first big project it can be difficult to know exactly what it is you will be needing from a contractor. If you have never had to hire one before, it can be difficult to know exactly what it is you need to be asking. Here is a short guide to some of the most important things you need to ask when interviewing contractors.

What is their history?
Pictures and references are your best friend when it comes to hiring a contractor. You need to make sure that whomever you are hiring, they are practiced, have a history in your area and that the people they have worked with previously had a good experience. Also, ask them who their main suppliers are because they will speak to your contractor’s level of quality and reliability.

Paperwork
First thing’s first-ask to see their license and proof of insurance and whether or not they will warranty their work. It is also important to get everything they are agreeing to put down on paper. This includes if they will be taking care of the necessary permits and inspections, how they plan to protect your property, and if they will take care of cleaning up the site (a.k.a. a broom clause). In addition, you will need an itemized list of price estimates  to make sure you stay on budget. When it comes to payment talk about the amount that you have to put down and who you will be making the check out to (it should be a company not an individual).

Who will be working at the site on a daily basis?
And can you meet them? Usually it will be a foreman if it is not the contractor, but you should know who they are and how often they plan on being at the site.

Ask for a walkthrough and a timeline
By getting a walkthrough you will be able to see exactly what they plan on doing and ensure that they don’t miss anything. In addition, ask if there are any parts of your project that concerns them so that you can try to create a plan to resolve any issues that might arise. It is also necessary to get a timeline from your contractor to make it easier to keep track of your project and make sure that everything is completed on schedule.

What is the best way to get in contact with them?
When doing construction it is important to be in constant contact with your contractor, which means that you need the best way to talk to them in a pinch. If something goes wrong you need to be able to get ahold of them right away, so get the best phone numbers and email to reach them at.

Simply put, experience is key and be sure to ask all the questions you may have before hiring anyone. re:fab is a reputable and transparent company that has references from all over the New England region- contact us if you have any questions!

Sources:
5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor: https://www.houselogic.com/remodel/budgeting-contracting/five-essential-questions-ask-before-hiring-contractor/
10 Things to Ask Your Contractor Before You Start Your Project: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14602570/list/10-things-to-ask-your-contractor-before-you-start-your-project
10 Questions to Ask a Prospective Contractor: https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/construction/planning/5-questions-to-ask-a-contractor2.htm
11 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor: https://contractorquotes.us/questions-to-ask-before-hiring-a-contractor/

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Drywall + Carpentry


Whether the interior walls of your commercial facility have been damaged, the front door of your business needs an upgrade or your floors are in need of attention, re:fab has the right team and process to meet your specific needs.
With a team of skilled carpenters and specialty craftsmen, re:fab helps clients tackle quick improvements to full-scale renovation needs.


Renovation Services


Professional Renovation Services Tailored to your Industry.

re:fab is the trusted partner for commercial renovations and specialty applications for properties and facilities across all industries. Whether a commercial office building or a multi-family property, our experienced team has the knowledge and resources to get your job done right.

  • Flooring & Epoxy Coatings
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  • Interior and Exterior Painting
  • Rebranding Services and Special Finishes Installments
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  • Heating and AC and/or HVAC
  • Plumbing & Electrical
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Specialty Flooring


Floor Coatings Keep Your Foundations Safe

re:fab’s floor coating services provide a dramatic enhancement to the look and feel of commercial and industrial properties. In addition, specialty floor coatings maintain the health and durability of your floors and overall properties, creating a more healthy and safer space for your employees, customers and the environment

Our Experts Provide A Variety Of Floor Coating Services, Including:

  • Epoxy Floor Coatings
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*Please note: re:fab provides flooring services as part of a larger renovation or painting program or project, not a standalone service.


EIFS + Stucco


Commercial buildings and industrial facilities featuring exterior walls with an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) have the attractiveness of a stucco finish but with greater insulation, toughness and longevity. In fact, unlike stucco, EIFS is actually a multi-layered system that includes insulation board, base coat and finish coat. It’s a combination that provides a classic look with modern advantages.

In addition to much-improved insulation, EIFS can improve indoor air quality and reduce the environmental impact of a structure throughout its lifetime, and it is available in a virtually unlimited range of colors and textures.

EIFS has transformed commercial buildings across all industries and our team of specialists can help you understand the benefits of this important application.

*We are Dryvit Systems EIFS Certified Installers.


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Regular power washing keeps commercial facilities running efficiently and safely, helps businesses stay compliant with environmental regulations, rids surfaces of mold and delivers an attractive first impression to clients and guests. Our team can quickly and easily return your properties to excellent condition.

Exterior Power Washing Services Include:

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Painting


re:fab’s 30 years+ experience with commercial interior and exterior painting, sealing and wall & ceiling applications assures each client that we have the expertise to deliver for any business painting requirement. Tackling projects both large and small, across New England, our teams are capable of serving all of your standard and specialty painting and application needs.

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