Working with a contractor can make or break your renovation. The glossy before-and-after photos online don’t show the late deliveries, price changes, or workers not showing up. Before you sign anything, treat it like a business deal, not a friendship.
First, don’t hire the cheapest bid. The cheapest quote often means they’re cutting corners, using weaker materials, or planning to add “extra charges” later. Instead, compare at least three quotes and ask them to break down labor, materials, and profit separately. If they can’t explain their price clearly, that’s already a red flag.
Always sign a written contract, even if it feels “too formal.” Include timeline, payment schedule, type of materials, and penalty for delays. Never pay everything up-front; pay in stages based on real progress, not promises. Also prepare your mind for delays—rain, supplier issues, power outages, suddenly “discovering” a hidden problem in the wall. Renovation rarely runs perfectly.
Finally, trust your eyes more than words. If their past work looks rough, messy, or rushed, believe it. A reliable contractor communicates clearly, keeps receipts, shows up when they say they will, and doesn’t make you feel like you’re disturbing them when you ask questions.