8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor in Burlington

Repairs and maintenance are ongoing concerns for rental property owners. Do you want to keep your tenants happy and your investment property in good condition? 

If so, it's essential to ensure that maintenance is done regularly and that repairs are completed on time. For these tasks, you need a contractor who you can trust. Rental property maintenance and repair work can make up a significant portion of your rental property budget (especially when not handled inappropriately). 

Our Burlington property management experts know finding a contractor that charges fairly and gives you value for your money can be challenging. So, read on to find out how you track down the right contractor for your rental property.

How to Find the Right Contractor

Word of mouth is often the most effective and reliable method of finding trustworthy services, whether a doctor, lawyer, florist, or mechanic. 

Start your search for the right contractor by asking friends and colleagues for referrals. However, even though someone you know is vouching for a contractor, you should still do your due diligence to check their public reputation. You can do this by checking in with previous clients, online rating platforms, or looking them up on the Better Business Bureau.

When researching potential contractors, ask the following questions:

• What do current or previous clients say about the quality of their work?
• Are they reliable?
• Do they communicate effectively?
• Were they punctual?

Learn as much as you can about vendors before contracting them for work on your rental properties. 

Interviewing Potential Contractors

So, you have whittled down your list to a few contractors. Now it's time to start the interviewing process. 

Ask These 8 Questions Before Hiring a Contractor

Employing the services of a reliable contractor is a crucial component of your real estate investing team. How do you sift the good from the not-so-good? Ask lots of questions! A good contractor will understand how important your property is to you. They should be happy to answer all your questions. If not, run!

1. How Long Have You Been a Contractor with Your Own Team?

This question delves into how much experience the contractor has and how dependable they are. Ask questions about their team too. For example, have team members been with them for several years, or do they have a high staff turnover?

2. How Many People are on Your Crew?

Knowing a bit more about the size and structure of the contractor's company will give you a better indication of how established the company is. If the company employs administrative staff, project managers, and assistant managers, their processes and communications should be more efficient.

3. Are You Licensed and Insured?

Ask for written proof that the contractors' license is up to date and that they are registered in the state you will need them to work in. You also want to know whether they have General Liability Insurance and Workers' Compensation. As an assurance, ask for copies of the policy.

4. Do You Use Subcontractors?

It is preferable for the general contractor to use only their team for work on your residential property. This way, the contractor has more autonomy over the budget and the timeline. However, once sub-contractors get involved, delays may be inevitable.

5. Have You Ever Been Sued or Dealt with Lawsuits?

This is a sensitive but vital question to ask. However, if the contractor answers "yes" to either of these questions, you do not have to write them off immediately. Delve a little deeper. Find out what the lawsuit was about, how it was resolved, and how the contractor handled the situation.

6. How Many Other Property Investors or Clients Do You Work With?

You want to know that this contractor will have time and workforce capacity to see to your projects through on time. Projects that take too long to complete can cost you a great deal in missed income. In addition, a contractor who is never available to fit you in isn't the right partner for your rental property business. 

7. How Often Can I Expect Updates?

Find out how often you will receive progress reports from your contractor or their team. Daily or weekly? Will they send photo updates? Good communication is important when partnering with vendors and contractors. 

8. How Do You Accept Payment?

Talk through payment timelines and how the contractor prefers to be paid. Watch out for payment apps unless payments can be directly tied to invoices and verified expenses. While paying partial costs for a renovation or repair can be okay in some situations, beware of contractors requiring too much up front before starting your project. 

Top Property Management Tips on Hiring a Contractor

What else should property owners keep in mind when choosing a contractor for rental property repairs, maintenance, or renovations? 

• Once you have your shortlist, get quotes from at least three contractors.
• Where possible, choose local contractors. They will be more familiar with local building codes and building permits, and they are closer at hand should any emergencies arise.
• Ensure that they have the capacity and availability to complete the project in the time frame that you need it completed.
• Burlington property management specialists know that proper licensing is very important. If your contractor does not have the correct licensing, they will not be able to get the necessary permits, and you could be forced to stop operating your rental property. 
• Ask about warranties. A written warranty is a safeguard for both parties. It protects the property owner from sub-standard work, and it protects the contractor from having to return to make repairs continuously.

To save yourself all the time and hassle of finding the right contractor, instead, look for "property managers near me." The right property manager already has vetted contractors to keep your properties in excellent condition!

Hire a Burlington Property Management Company to Oversee Contractor Work

The most efficient and reliable way to ensure you get trustworthy professionals to handle all rental property maintenance and repairs is to hire a property manager. So what does a property manager do? The right property manager will have experienced and vetted home repair and renovation professionals to service your investment property. 

CHARLESGATE understands the importance of meeting your financial objectives while prioritizing care of your investment property. Our Burlington property management specialists can help you minimize vacancy times and maximize profits with professional processes and trustworthy vendors. Get in touch with us today!