We’ve all seen enough reality TV to know about how quickly a home renovation project can go off the rails. Whether it’s a DIY project gone wrong or an incompetent contractor failing to deliver, far too many homeowners have seen simple renovation projects turn into disasters. The thought of this probably has you dreading hiring a contractor to work on your next project. Thankfully, finding a skilled, reliable contractor in Calgary isn’t as difficult as it may seem, as long as you know what to look for and ask the right questions. Here are our top four questions to ask when hiring a contractor:

Do they have a list of references?

Any worthwhile contractor out there should have successfully completed renovations for a number of happy customers. The contractor should be able to provide with you a list of these references so you can contact them and hear for yourself about their experiences during their home renovation. Was the contractor easy to reach? Was the job completed on schedule? Would they use the contractor again in the future? Past performance is a solid indicator of what a future performance will be. We’ve collected some client reviews on our website for your convenience, and you can also browse our portfolio to get a feel for our work and quality craftsmanship.

What is the projected timeline?

Unexpected problems can arise, even with the best contractors out there. An experienced contractor should be able to assess the circumstances and project an accurate timeline for your renovation’s completion. There are some cases where a project can’t be accurately estimated because the contractor doesn’t know what they’ll uncover until work actually gets underway. In such circumstances, the contractor should be honest and upfront when it comes to the specific agreement that will be required. Any contractor who promises a timeline that sounds too good to be true or doesn’t make sense for the scope of work should be shown the door.

Will there be a project manager?

You need to know who you can contact if you have a question or a concern about the project. It’s also good to know there is someone on-site that is tracking the project’s progress. A general contractor is also a project manager and is responsible for all work at the site, including the work of trade partners. The project manager ensures that the work not only complies with your vision and the agreed-upon plans, but that it meets industry standards, safety regulations, and building codes.

Are you insured?

The contractor should have insurance in case something goes awry during the home renovation project. Accidents can happen, and you don’t want to be financially responsible for repairing damage caused by work on the project. At Prism Interiors, we provide all clients with copies of our current Certificate of Insurance, licensing, and Government Surety Bond. We require all our trade partners to carry a minimum of 2 million in liability insurance and carry WCB for all employees. If you are looking to hire a home renovation contractor in Calgary who can offer the right answers to these questions, contact Prism Interiors at (403) 242-6121.