The services of a good contractor are crucial whether building a new home or undertaking substantial home renovations. However, it’s daunting to get the best contractors from the long list of them.
This is owned by a lot of dishonest and dubious contractors among the lots. Also, you might want to have the best and most competent hands on your project.
Hence, in this article, you will learn who contractors are, and how to get a good one from the long list. Also, you will find a list of some good contractors’ websites and review sites. Additionally, you will find a list of good contractors you may consider.
Who Are Contractors?
Contractors manage all of the moving pieces in complex construction and remodeling projects.
They also select and manage subcontractors, handle vendor payments, collaborate with an architect if necessary, acquire materials, and serve as much-needed guides throughout the intricate process of home construction or remodeling.
While contractors are many, you want a good one – one who is not only legitimate, honest, and fair, but also easy to work with and who will see your project through to completion. Finding a contractor who is well-suited to both you and your project is critical to the job’s success.
How to Find Good Contractors – Expert Guide
Due to a long list of contractors, Finding the appropriate contractor can sometimes take as long as the project itself. Although the procedure is time-consuming, it is worthwhile. Hence, To stay out of trouble, follow these procedures.
1. Ask for referrals
When you’re beginning from scratch, it can be difficult to locate someone trustworthily. Therefore, Ask friends, relatives, or neighbors for eligible individuals, according to Walsh. Their suggestions may also help you narrow down your search to a more manageable list.
2. Look for online reviews
Check the Better Business Bureau, Facebook, Google, or Yelp for online reviews. Also, Search for the company’s name with words like “scam,” “rip-off,” or “complaint,” according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
3. Understand the scope of your project
Before you start asking for estimates, be sure you know exactly what you need. It may be easier to obtain accurate quotes if you supply more details.
4. Request multiple project estimates in writing
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential contractors, request multiple written project estimates. Besides, You shouldn’t automatically choose the cheapest choice. Inquire about the price differences.
Check out some writing in HOME ADDITION CONTRACTORS: What You Should Know
5. Interview a few prospects
Try interviewing each contractor as you compare contractors. “Chemistry is enormous.” You should also “Make sure they understand you, are aware of your needs and can deliver the answers that make you feel at ease,” Walsh advised.
6. Ask the right questions
You should also double-check that you’re asking the proper questions. “Pretend it’s a job interview.” “Your contractor and crew may stay at your home for months on end for a large project,” said Craig Russell, founder, and CEO of The English Contractor & Remodeling Services in Cincinnati.
Here are some inquiries to make:
- Could you tell me about your experience?
- What distinguishes you from other contractors?
- Could you tell me about any of your recent projects?
- Is it possible for me to witness some of your recent projects in person?
- Are you able to provide references for your most recent three projects?
Check out some professionals to ask questions from in ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY: Duties, Roles, and Costs of Estate Planning Lawyers
7. Look for red flags
Home improvement scams do happen, unfortunately. However, Doing your homework is the best approach to try to protect yourself. Also, According to Angie’s List, you should avoid door-to-door solicitors, companies without a license, and anyone who refuses to provide references.
8. Look up contractor licenses
Look up the licenses of your prospects once you’ve compiled a list. You can achieve this by conducting a simple search of your state’s licensing contractor board. It’s a simple approach to finding any license issues or complaints, according to Walsh.
9. Ask for a copy of contractor’s insurance
Demand a copy of the business’s insurance certificates. Look for coverage for workers’ compensation and general liability. These could be useful in the event of an accident.
10. Make sure the contractor is bonded
Another type of security is surety bonds. These bonds ensure that a contractor’s task is completed. Municipalities have different bonding laws. To find out what you need, go to your local board of contractors licensing.
11. Inspect references
Always check references before hiring a contractor. Ask for recommendations from their three most recent projects, according to Walsh.
12. See if they plan to use sub contractors
It’s crucial to know whether your contractor intends to hire subcontractors on the job. If that’s the case, look into their licenses, insurance, and background checks, among other things.
13. Don’t pay for the project upfront
Try not to overpay for the project upfront. Some jurisdictions, according to the FTC, limit the amount contractors can demand payment upfront.
14. Carefully review and sign a contract
Without a formal contract, don’t begin the project. The scope of the project, the start and finish dates, and the cost should all be included in this agreement.
15. Look into the permits
Permits for your project may be required by your state or local municipality. Determine which permits your contractor requires and double-check that they are in place before the project starts.
16. Discuss the project logistics
You’ll want to be clear on the logistics before the job begins. When, for example, will the personnel arrive at your home? You can also talk about the project’s expected timeline.
17. Communicate early and often
Contractors and their teams are incredibly busy. To avoid any issues, attempt to explain as much as possible about the project.
18. Ask for detailed receipts
If your contractor hired anyone else, check sure they got paid. Unpaid subcontractors may file a mechanic’s lien against your house, which could pose problems in the future. By requesting a lien release or waiver, you can prevent this.
19. Do a complete walk-through before making the final payment
Request that your contractor reviews each project before making the final payment. Compare the completed job to the contract you signed. If something appears to be missing or the team hasn’t cleaned up, don’t be afraid to ask inquiries.
List of Good Contractors Recommendation Website
You only make money as a good contractor when you work. Hence, You must put yourself out there to find work.
A fantastic website is one of the most common methods to reach people these days, but what makes a website stand out? A notable website provides visitors with the information they require while also unobtrusively advertising its services.
Hence, Here are the list of contractor recommendation website.
1. House of Bohn
This website contains everything that an excellent contractor website should. It is appealing and tidy, and it has a distinct look. It’s also simple to use.
Besides, Even better, it includes a note from the owner, complete with a photo, that provides some insight into the business.
2. Acclaim Contractors
Some website designs are more dangerous than others. Acclaim Contractors takes the risk of making the entire website monochromatic. This makes the site easy to recall when compared to other sites you’ve visited.
It’s both unique and contemporary. They also illustrate their job as civil and commercial contractors with vibrant images. Furthermore, They employ buttons at the bottom of the page to help consumers quickly find vital information.
3. The Spaces
The website for Spaces has a clean geometrical design. They use a lot of white space between high-quality photographs that all work well together.
There are even some bursts of red and blue that stand out, as well as a handful of easily navigable buttons at the top of the page.
4. Max Home
This is the website for a home improvement building company. They have a great way of tailoring their services to your needs.
The company’s web page also features a photo of a father and daughter, emphasizing the notion that it can provide a wonderful home for you and your family.
Besides, They use the site to make powerful calls to action, starting with a big announcement for 60% off installation. That will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention.
5. Contractors Reporting Services
This website presents a lot of information in a very straightforward manner. Hence, To help segregate information, they employ links at the top of the page that are divided into six categories.
They also offer a visual element to the webpage with an image. You won’t be overwhelmed because there is plenty of white space.
6. Tellus Design + Build
When you’re good at a lot of things, you want to show off your versatility. The background of this site’s bespoke design is made up of examples of the company’s work.
Hence, You gain a clear understanding of what they can achieve for you. Simple tabs at the top of the page also make it simple to navigate and get the information you need.
7. Bama Contracting
This website makes use of vibrant colors. The company also makes its website very clear and simple to navigate. It’s both friendly and educational.
Even better, they include a powerful call to action. Their tagline, “Building the future, recovering the past,” explains their wide range of services.
8. Continental Electric Construction
This website performs an excellent job of making browsing information simple for visitors. They also do a good job of using graphics to demonstrate what they do. The design is simple but effective. It also makes effective use of the color red.
9. Straub Construction
You can browse through a portfolio of completed work on the home page. Besides, You may look over several projects in further detail elsewhere on the site.
Also, You can see how these are progressing. The design also clearly marks various elements of the site while highlighting business principles.
10. Daw Green
The website of Daw Green is distinctive and cool. The design is appealing, yet it is also simple to comprehend. Professional photography is used on the site to highlight previous work and the company’s culture. They even mention something that distinguishes them: their environmental commitment.
Who Are on the Approved Contractors List?
Approved contractors list implies a list of people who the local government believes are properly competent to deliver the service.
It also means a list developed by each Transmission Owner and published in a PJM Manual of:
- contractors that the Transmission Owner considers qualified to install or construct new facilities, upgrades, or modifications to existing facilities on the Transmission Owner’s system, provided that such contractors may include, but are not limited to, contractors that provide design and/or other construction-related services in addition to construction services, and
- manufacturers or vendors of key transmission-related equipment (e.g., high-voltage transformers, transmission lines, circuit breakers) whose goods are suitable for installation and operation on the Transmission Owner’s system.
Best Contractors Reviews 2023
Here is a list of some of the sites and platforms to find some good contractors reviews.
1. Google
The most important review site is also the world’s largest search engine. Remember that when a customer searches for your business on Google, one of the top results will be your Google reviews. Make sure you leave a positive first impression.
2. Facebook
While having a Facebook page is necessary for sending organic social media postings to your followers, it’s also a terrific place to gather client feedback. Besides, Remember that Facebook has almost 2 billion monthly active users.
There is no 5-star rating system on Facebook. Instead, your customers are given two choices: recommend or do not recommend.
3. Porch
The porch is a local home services website that connects homeowners with qualified experts for projects, upkeep, and repairs. Hence, After reading your profile, customers can contact you directly.
4. Yellow Pages
While you may not get many customers through Yellow Pages books anymore, yellowpages.com is still going strong. Hence, Users can use the site to find and review local companies. The site has about 13 million active visitors daily.
5. Houzz
Houzz is a review platform that connects homeowners with interior designers. So, whether you’re in the landscaping or remodeling sector, make sure your company is listed on Houzz.
6. Thumbtack
Thumbtack allows users to find local experts from piano teachers to massage therapists to contractors all across the internet. Besides, There are currently 10 million users on the platform, with 280,000 businesses using its services.
When its founder was refurbishing her own home, she had difficulty finding respectable home services specialists. Reviews of renovators, repairmen, and retailers can now be found on the site. There are currently over 1.3 million registered users on the site.
Insurance Contractors List
Below Is a list of some of the best contractors.
- The Hartford: Best overall
- Hiscox: Best for New Businesses
- Next Insurance: Best for Fast Liability Coverage
- Travelers: Best for Professional Services
- Nationwide: Best for Risk Industries
- Merkel: Best for In-Home Daycare
The Hartford
The Hartford was founded in 1810 and is headquartered in Connecticut. They were one of the first insurance companies to provide a small business insurance center in the 1980s.
Also, They currently cover over a million small company owners. Hartford has a long-standing reputation as a solid insurer in the United States, with an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) and top customer satisfaction scores across numerous of its insurance lines.
Furthermore, Many sorts of independent professionals can benefit from Hartford’s independent contractor insurance and business policy owner coverage. Here are several examples:
- Contractors such as plumbers, carpenters, electricians, painters, and repairmen
- Editors and freelance writers
- Designers of graphics
- Salon specialists
- Photographers
- Trainers for horses or dogs
General insurance, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, errors and omissions, business income, commercial property, commercial flood, employment practices liability, and commercial umbrella insurance are among the services they provide. They may also help you with data breach insurance and cyber risk prevention methods.
Besides, The Hartford provides easy online quotations and estimates that general liability coverage for small businesses will cost roughly $500 per year on average. The cost will be determined by factors such as where you live, your annual revenue, your product or services, where you do business, and the coverage options you choose.
Tenant legal liability, water damage legal liability, hired auto, and non-owned auto is all optional coverages. We got a quote for an independent contractor with no company property and a liability limit of $1 million/$2 million. The monthly payment was $45 with a $500 deductible.
Each occurrence/aggregate coverage options are $500,000/$1 million, $1 million/$2 million, and $2 million/$4 million. The base general liability policy does not cover water damage, data breaches, or automotive coverage.
Hiscox
Since 1901, Hiscox has been a specialist business insurer with global operations, serving customers. They have an A (Excellent) AM Best rating and offer insurance in all 50 states.
On its website, Hiscox provides small business owners with a variety of services, such as highlights on insured small business owners, podcasts, and an entrepreneur community weekly. You can obtain all forms of company insurance for independent contractors by contacting one of their agents. Same-day coverage may be provided, which is convenient.
Architects, beauty, contractors, IT specialists, landscapers, fitness, therapy, health home services, and other vocations are all covered by Hiscox. They provide general liability, professional liability, cybersecurity, short-term liability, workers’ compensation, umbrella, directors and officers, company property, and employment practices liability for business owners. They also sell customized coverage choices, including business interruption, based on your specific needs.
Hiscox will provide tailored quotations online, and they believe that most small businesses will pay $30 per month or less for general liability insurance, although costs will vary depending on region and business demands. We acquired a total premium of $78 per month with $1 million in liability coverage and a $500 deductible after running a quote for professional liability ($37 per month) and a company owner policy ($41 per month).
Hiscox Insurance Products
As a company insurance specialist, Hiscox understands the intricacies of many industries and tailors insurance products for each one. For example, they offer construction general contractor package plans that include essential coverages such as professional liability, contractors’ pollution, protective indemnity, and rectification.
Optional crime, cyber risk, general liability, and technology coverage are included in this package. The special package for IT professionals includes software copyright and infringement coverage as part of the regular policy—something that a building contractor is unlikely to want, but is critical for IT experts.
Professional liability insurance from Hiscox is available with aggregate coverage of $250,000, $500,000, $1 million, and $2 million. They also provide deductible options that range from $500 to $10,000. Terrorism coverage, criminal coverage, electronic data loss coverage, and more options are offered.
Damages are not covered under the business owner’s coverage if you give them incorrect information. Fraudulent conduct, false advertising, and bodily injury are not covered under the professional liability package.
Next Insurance
Next Insurance is a new insurance company that began as an agency before becoming an insurer in 2018. It is backed by Munich R.E., which has an AM Best rating of A+ (Superior). Next seeks to give small businesses internet insurance coverage that is simple to comprehend and reasonable. They serve over 1,300 different types of businesses and are available in 50 states. They insure 100,000 business owners. Policies are issued entirely online, so you may receive an estimate and a policy produced right away, as well as maintain and print certificates of insurance.
Next Insurance offers a variety of coverage, including general liability, professional liability, and commercial auto.
On their website, Next provides a wealth of information for small business owners, including the average estimated prices of plans per industry. For instance, we discovered the following rates:
- Roofers: $8.57 per day on average
- $4.30 per day on average for plumbing
- General contractors: $3.79 per day on average
- Handyman: $1.92 per day on average
- Painters: $2.22 per day on average
The basic policy covers $300,000 in general liability coverage but excludes professional liability. Pro includes $1 million in general liability coverage and $25,000 in professional liability coverage. The Pro-Plus offers $2 million in general liability coverage and $50,000 in professional liability coverage. A $500 deductible for professional liability is included in the Pro and Pro-Plus policies.
The policy stipulates that any subcontractors you hire must have their liability insurance with limits equal to or greater than yours. A copy of a subcontractor’s license may be required during the claim process if the claim is denied otherwise.
Travelers
Travelers have been around since 1864. They offer a wide range of small business insurance packages for a wide range of professionals and are available across the United States. Among the types of businesses they cover are financial services, health and wellness professionals, personal care services, pet care services, and technical services. Travelers have an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best (Superior).
Travelers provide commercial general liability, commercial property, cyber liability, professional liability, business income, and extra expense coverage, as well as owner’s and contractor’s protective (OCP) liability coverage up to $10 million. OCP is a specialized option that can be offered as a short-term policy to prevent the hiring contractor from being held liable for subcontractor losses. They also provide workers’ compensation coverage if you have staff.
You can upgrade from basic coverages to specialty endorsements with higher limits than the base insurance with Travelers. Cyber insurance, data and media insurance, and a Professional Services Premier package that protects accounts receivable and valuable papers for $350,000 and gives $10,000 in business income protection are just a few examples.
For their independent contractor insurance, travelers did not provide a price range. You can contact a local agent for a personalized estimate depending on the industry.
Travelers’ standard business owner’s insurance covers general liability, business property, business revenue, and extra expense. Limits will vary according to your coverage requirements.
Nationwide
Nationwide Insurance Company was founded in 1926 and is based in Columbus, Ohio. In the 2019 J.D. Power Small Business Commercial Insurance Study, Nationwide ranked first for customer satisfaction but dropped to second from last in the 2020 ranking. They have an excellent financial stability grade of A+ (Superior) from AM Best. Their insurance policies are offered throughout the United States.
General liability, umbrella, employment practices liability, crime insurance, cyber liability, errors and omissions (professional liability), builder’s risk, accounts receivable, business owner’s, business property, business income, worker’s compensation, and equipment breakdown insurance are some of the products offered by Nationwide. They also sell inland marine insurance, fine art insurance, computer equipment insurance, and data coverage.
The company owner’s insurance from Nationwide combines commercial property, general liability, business revenue, and optional coverages including equipment breakdown into one convenient package. Depending on the industry, they have pre-packaged rules. Among them are the following:
- Services and a retail store
- Those who are experts (attorneys, accounting, consulting, interior design, medical clinics, veterinarians, photographers)
- Consulting companies
- Entrepreneurs (plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and excavation businesses)
- Automobile maintenance and repair
- Distributors and wholesalers
- beverages and food
To get the best price quote, you can request a quote online and personalize it with the coverage options you require.
Markel
With an AM Best financial strength grade of A, Markel Specialty Insurance has been in business for almost 70 years (Excellent). They provide insurance nationwide and provide a program designed specifically for home daycares with up to 18 children. Markel also has an educational services program that includes tutoring, music teachers, fine arts, theater, dance, cooking workshops, computer training, and other services.
Liability protection, abuse and molestation protection, legal defense, bodily injury, and property damage coverage, and general liability-only coverage are all available. Additional insureds, such as a landlord, can be added for free. Markel provides coverage for student accident medical bills as well as volunteer coverage. In some programs, such as corporal punishment, they can also provide umbrella liability insurance and other coverages.
A basic general liability policy may cover up to $1 million per event and $3 million in total. Your commercial property coverage limitations will be determined by your actual requirements.
There are no pricing estimates because they specialize in this field. They’ll tailor the policy alternatives to your needs based on the number of children you care for and other factors unique to your business. They promote their program as a cost-effective option, and their website features multiple reviews from brokers and clients attesting to their reasonable prices.
Markel’s in-home child care insurance does not cover motor liability. You will also be unable to obtain renters insurance through Markel if you operate a business from your house.
Conclusion
You need a good contractor you can trust whether you need repairs or a complete overhaul. Otherwise, you risk wasting a lot of time and money on a project that isn’t up to par. “A television commercial may inform you about a contractor, but it does not indicate their job is good,” Russell explained. You may be more likely to see an on-time, high-quality project if you put in the extra effort today.
FAQs On How To Get Good Contractors List
How does the good contractor list make money?
The primary rule is to estimate the price correctly. There will always be things that go wrong, so include in some contingency funds into your budget.
What are the top websites with contractors listing?
- Angl
- The Blue Book
- Construct Connect
- Construction.com
- Google Business Profile
- HomeAdvisor
- Houzz
- Iambuilders.com
- Yelp
Where do most people look for a list of good contractors?
- Thumbtack
- Google Maps/Google Search
- Home Advisor
- Angi
- Houzz
References
- Thespruce.com – How to find good contractors – expert guide
- Ownerly.com – List of contractor recommendation website
- Lawinsider.com – Who are on the approved contractors list?
- Birdeye.com – Best good contractor reviews 2022
- Investopedia.com – Insurance contractors list
Recommendations
