5 Tips to Follow When Looking for a Good Contractor in NYC

Living in New York City poses different kinds of challenges for homeowners, such as the crowds, noise and even the high prices of housing, especially if you’re only renting your home. However, as time goes by, homeowners may encounter another challenge entirely and that’s looking for a good contractor in New York City.

In this article, expert remodeler Knockout Renovation lists five tips that you can follow when looking for a contractor in New York City.

1. Get Recommendations – The first step to finding a good contractor for your home improvement needs is to get recommendations. According to experts, there are several ways you can accomplish this: you can search online for any contractors in the area who offer the type of service you need, check online reviews, or ask your homeowner friends for recommendations. By doing this, you can gradually narrow down your list to a few potential contractors and ultimately, use it to make your choice.

2. Compare Portfolios – Once you’ve narrowed down your contractor choices, experts recommend that you ask them for a portfolio of the projects they’ve completed in the past year. These portfolios should contain photos of the space before, during, and after the remodel. If needed, ask them for pictures of blueprints and sketches as well so you can get an idea of how a contractor approaches the project. Once you have them, compare these portfolios to narrow your list down further.

3. Ask for Licensing and Certification – To narrow your list down even more, ask your remodeling contractor for their licenses and certifications. That way, you’ll know if they’re more than qualified to get the job done in a safe and legal manner. If the contractor refuses to give you proof of their licenses or certifications, avoid doing business with them entirely.

4. Check References – So, you’ve narrowed your list down even further and the next step that you need to take is to check their references. Usually, this means visiting their previous clients and asking them a few questions such as “did the contractor stay on schedule?”, “was the job site kept neat?”, or “was the contractor punctual for appointments and workdays?” If the answer to most of these questions is yes, then they should be worth considering.

5. Review an Example of the Finished Project – After you’ve checked the references, choose previous clients who seem open and forthcoming who had a similar project done a few years ago. Then ask them if you can see the work that the contractor did and if it has held up these past few years. If they pass your assessment, then you’re more than free to hire the contractor you’re considering for your home improvement project.

Looking for a good NYC contractor? Don’t hesitate to turn to Knockout Renovation, the leading service provider to approach when it comes to aging in place and kitchen remodeling projects. Give us a call at (212) 599-5060 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve homeowners in Brooklyn, Manhattan, New York City, and other nearby areas in NYC.