Choosing the right contractor for your dream project can be overwhelming! It takes time, funds and a lot of research!

To help you, Tyson Machin, Co-op’s Home Centre Manager in Stony Plain, shares the questions you need to ask and the considerations you need to make before hiring a contractor to make the experience as smooth as possible.

1. Get Recommendations

Recommendations are always key! Check your local Co-op Home Centre for any contractor cards and local recommendations; Co-op team members are always on hand with their expertise. You can also talk to friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to curate a list of contractors worth looking into.

Once you have about three to four suggesti ons, contact them for references.

2. Research & Reviews

Most contractors will be happy to provide past customers for references, so be sure to follow up with any references they provide and ask if you’re able to check out the job or see photos of the completed project.

Once some references have been contacted, take to the internet and do some additional research. Tyson recommends checking out social media to see if they have a presence and a display of their work. From there you will also be able to see positive comments (or negative) to get a feel for the contractor.

3. Phone Interview and Meet In-Person

While very useful, there’s a lot you won’t be able to find out via reviews and research. The quickest way to get answers to all your questions? Talk to your potential contractor! Set up a phone interview to go over the project and requirements in more detail.

Some questions to consider:

• What is their availability and does this align with your timeline?
• Do they have insurance and Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage?
• Do they have a business license?
• How long have they been in business?
• Are they a good communicator?
• Do they come across as honest and trustworthy?
• What is their price and does this fit your budget?

Based on the phone interviews, you should then pick a couple of contractors to meet with to go over estimates and further discussions. Tyson notes to make sure you feel comfortable with their communication style. Do they talk with you, or at you? Do you feel at ease after meeting this person? These are all things you should aim to get out of meeting in person.

4. The Right Price

If you’ve found a shortlist of contractors you like and whose work and references look promising, it’s time to start thinking about your project! To compare price and bids, ask your potential contractors to break down their quote to include the cost of materials, labour profit margins and any other expenses. Transparency is key!

Once you’ve selected a contractor and a bid that is within your expectations, lay out a payment schedule with your contractor ahead of time so there is no confusion during the project.

5. Connection!

You’re looking for the “warm fuzzies” as Tyson calls them. A good connection with your contractor is just as important as aligning on time and price. Are you going to be comfortable giving this person access to your home? Are you aligned on the outcome? Do you share the same expectations?

Connecting with and trusting your contractor is extremely important. Don’t ignore your gut feeling when you meet someone.

If you have any more questions, reach out to the experts at your local Co-op Home Centre.

Tyson Machin
North Central Co-op
Home Centre Manager