Out of the Depths of Contractor Hell

 For some reason, contractors have been on my mind a lot lately. Maybe it’s because one just walked past my door carrying a toilet, or maybe home improvements are just one hot topic these days, now that people are staying put. In any event, finding the right contractor to work on your home can be a daunting task, and if you choose the right one, you will find the pinnacle of joy that your home can bring you. On the other hand, if you choose the wrong one, you will no doubt sink to the murky depths of hell, so it’s in your best interest to practice due diligence in finding a suitable contractor. In that spirit, some general tips for contractor hunting: 

1. Don’t be the guinea pig–let your friends do it. Alternatively put, ask your friends, family, and neighbors for referrals or warnings. Listen to the voice of experience and go with the odds, i.e., if the contractor’s done it right once, there’s a good shot that he’ll do it again right. Conversely, if the contractor’s not performed to satisfaction, there’s a darn good shot that he’ll underperform again. There is no better information than first-hand experience.
2. Check the pedigree. Any contractor that you even consider using should be licensed, insured and bonded. Using the contractor’s name, business name, or license number, you can check for problems or claims against the contractor for free on the Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries website.  It’s quick, it’s easy, and can save you from enormous headaches down the road.
3. When all else fails, Google. Don’t forget the obvious, and use the Internet to research your contractor. In less than 15 minutes, you should be able to find out if there are any obvious complaints about your guy or not. A number of sites like Yelp allow people to post their opinions about restaurants, bars, and yes, even contractors! In addition, newsgroups like Google Groups might turn up some chatter about your guy. Keep in mind that no news is often good news. If you can’t find anything about the contractor in question, that’s probably a good sign (absent any of the red flags discussed above). But, if somebody’s had a bad experience, you’re more likely to find something out. (For example, I was once cussed out by a Levitz delivery guy for no apparent reason other than the fact that I didn’t accept a sofa they had delivered–never mind the big gash on the side of it. Believe me, I was all over the place with that one, and despite the fact that two years have passed since the traumatic incident, I’ll bet you can still find evidence of my electronic venting.)
4. Look for chemistry. I realize that house remodeling isn’t exactly marriage, but it is a long-term relationship (typically much longer than you’d like). Make sure your personalities and working styles are compatible and in the end, you’ll reap the benefits of a long-lasting, harmonious relationship. 

So, if you have any more tips out there on how to find a contractor, please comment and post them below! We need all the help we can get.

Coming soon, some practical tips on negotiating price with contractors…but until then, here’s another Bellevue fixer-upper to add to my previous list of Eastside fixers. 

3419 SE 166th Ave SE
3 br/1.75 ba, 1,900 sq. ft.
Price $497,500 ($262/sq.ft.)
MLS 27172755