Pinto Carpentry's Pro-Tips to Consider When Looking for a Contractor

Are you planning an upcoming renovation project for your home or business?  Are you a first-time or new homeowner looking to update your indoor handrails and stairs? Curious about how to find a contractor to get your house in order? The first step on your journey to build a new office, renovate your house, or start any other type of new build, you’re going to need to select reputable, reliable contractors. 

Selecting the right builder and contractor for your project is a critical first step in the planning process.  While it may come second nature to us because we work in the industry, that is definitely not the reality for most homeowners! You’ll need to consider factors like quality of work, longevity in business, reputation and reliability, and more.  Our easy checklist of pro-tips to consider when looking for a contractor will take some of the pressure off of you, so you can focus on the fun parts like design and planning.

Educate yourself and do your own research. No one expects you to be a jack of all trades, but the more you know about the job you’re requesting, the better!  This step can help you navigate conversations with your builders and contractors with ease, and alleviate a lot of anxiety. Watch some videos on YouTube or TikTok or Reels from reputable industry big guns on what to expect from the project you’re hiring for.  Understanding the basic steps, procedures, overall materials used, and average timelines can help you better navigate the search for contractors. As the customer, understanding what they do, how they do it, and why can make all the difference in sourcing contractors who can get the job done right!  You can also do a quick online search with terms and phrases like “what does it take for the average stair build” or “what is the process for a typical indoor handrail install” or “learn how to build a staircase” or “how do carpenters build x y z household item” and you’ll have a wealth of information at your fingertips. Of course, every contractor’s unique process will vary based on tools, materials, and lifetime experience, but it’s great to have a solid overview of what the projects will entail. This also means you can ask the right follow-up questions when gathering bids!

Get recommendations!  Ask your friends, family, local coworkers, and neighbors for names of local professionals they’d trust.  Not only does this give you real-world, tangible results to check out and see for yourself, but it also provides a very reputable reference point for your contractor.  This is also beneficial to the contractor as word of mouth referral is the most reliable source of ongoing marketing!  (Additionally, some builders or contractors may even offer a referral program with small loyalty discounts or coupons on future work or repair for those who refer new customers.)

Always gather multiple estimates before selecting a contractor.  A good rule of thumb is to vet at least 3 contractors for each type you need.  You’ll want to compare different contractors and skillsets within the same field.  Look at their quality of work and scope of range.  Be sure to ask them all the same questions related to your job request, which can be helpful to write down in advance so you’re remaining consisten.  Ask about their licenses and insurance for on-the-job safety and compliance.  Inquire about materials and equipment used.  Discuss their work methods and average timeline of completion for similar builds to your project.  Estimates will of course vary in range by material use and experience, but they should not differ too exponentially. Be cautious of numbers that feel too high or too low, and trust your gut.  If you don’t like what you’re receiving, try another 3 to compare.  Bonus tip: Don’t be fooled by low bids!  Sometimes, you get what you pay for, and contractors who “lowball” you and undercut all competition may not be the wisest choice – if it’s too good to be true, it probably is!

 Check their past work and reputation thoroughly, and ensure they have experience to complete what you need.  You wouldn’t call a bricklayer to do a plumbing job, right? Well, you wouldn’t call an indoor handrail contractor to come install glass railings along your outdoor patio either!  Make sure that the contractors you’re contacting have a portfolio body of work that matches the project you’re seeking.  Ensure that they have experience creating projects in your realm of need.  Does your contractor have a portfolio featuring indoor handrail with wood and metal material?  Does your contractor have the ability to craft a custom circular stair in your historic home?  You want to select a company that thoroughly cares about their quality of workmanship, and has a portfolio of evidence to back it up.  Check online sites like Google Reviews, Facebook, and Instagram to view their customer service reputation as well; look for companies that respond courteously and with grace even to negative reviews or inquiries.  Select a company with reasonable experience in the field to ensure you’re receiving quality, durable work at the end of the day.  Look for majority positive reviews pointing to cleanliness, punctuality, how well they handled any hiccups, and even ones with updates on how their work stood up over time.  You want someone who is detail-oriented and knows the ins-and-outs of pulling a permit, licensing and regulations, and have everything taken care of before the big day comes.

Hire local, licensed contractors as often as possible.  When selecting companies, it’s best to hire those who work in your local area. They’ll be familiar with local rules, regulations, and limitations for town statutes.  They’ll generally also have a rapport with town officials and inspectors, making the work process painless with open communication and less back-and-forth nonsense.  You’ll also save on transportation and delivery fees when working locally as opposed to someone who must travel a longer distance from their shop or office to your build site.  Hiring your neighbor's nephew who loves to woodwork as a hobby is great for small detail trim work, but you wouldn’t want a hobby carpenter building your custom staircase!  Ensuring that your contractor is licensed and both insured and bonded, otherwise you may be liable for covering any incidents, injury, or accidents that occur on your property!  Feel free to ask them for their COI (certificate of insurance) to ensure they have appropriate policies in place.

Get everything in writing up front before work begins and keep it in one place.  Your contractor should be ready and willing to turn over a written contract with all specifics and details prior to work beginning. All changes and amendments to the work should be noted clearly in writing and be added to an updated contract.  You should receive a detailed description of work to be completed, an itemized list of materials and proce breakdown, a payment plan or schedule agreed upon prior to the state date, signatures from both parties, and a clear cancellation clause and policy for amendments.  You should never sign a contract without fully reading each line, so be wary of any contractor who is uncomfortable with you taking a day or two to mull it over.  Be sure to read all of the fine print, and if need be, consult a lawyer to make sure that the contract is feasible and reasonable.

Expect to pay a partial deposit or installments, but never pay for the invoice up front in full! Costs may vary during the course of the project, so you wouldn’t likely get the full bill until the end with accurate costs.  For most large builds or renovations or repairs, it’s standard practice to pay a third to half of the estimated cost as a deposit.  In general, you’ll be making a deposit via personal check, so that you and the company can retain the cashed check as receipt of payment. Be wary of any company requesting you pay the full amount up front.  As a bonus tip: a good rule of thumb, however, is to make sure that your renovation budget as a total doesn’t exceed more than 30% of your home’s current market value to avoid “overcapitalization” where the home’s renovation budget outpaces the home’s increased value.

Delays and hiccups are inevitable, so be realistic and prepared ahead of time!  Sometimes, through no fault of anyone involved, delays can happen. Things like inclement or extreme weather, supply chain issues, delivery and mail delays, code and permit issues, and related topics may cause the project to stall for a short time.  Don’t panic!  Instead, be ready and add a few days to a week extra on your projected timeline as a buffer for your nerves.  As an additional contingency plan, it’s recommended by industry experts to plan for an additional 10% to 20% of your overall budget be reserved as a contingency fund; this can help offset any stresses or furthering delays due to unforeseen hurdles, an especially common occurrence in older or historic homes.  This can include (but is not limited to) discovery of mold, structural issues, inspection fees, waste disposal fees, or even a spike in material or need for additional replacement stock. (For example, if your reno total estimate is at $10,000 you should have an additional $1,000 - $2,000 at bare minimum available in savings to cover any surprises that may arise)

Are you ready to take the next step and hire an indoor handrail installer or custom stair carpenter? Look no further than Pinto Carpentry! With more than 20 years experience, our master carpenters and expert installers are ready to work on your home, business, or new build project. We use only the highest quality, most durable materials for indoor handrail and bespoke stair builds!  Our knowledgeable office staff will guide you through the process of gathering reference photos and scheduling you for a consultation, providing you with a personalized estimate based on your project needs, budget, and desired styles.  We are proudly owner-operated and family-run right here in Plainfield, New Jersey! Pinto Carpentry serves most regions of New Jersey for railing installation and repair, stair installation and repair, and related indoor carpentry projects.  Give us a call today to get started!