How to Hire a Pro for Your Home Project

Home projects come in all shapes and sizes. From something as simple as fixing a leaky faucet to as extravagant as a whole-home remodel, having a professional tackle your home project is often the best way to get things done quickly, correctly, and safely. But where do you start when you need a pro, and what are the essential things to remember during this process? We’ve broken down exactly how to hire a pro for your home project step-by-step so you can hire confidently. 

Before You Hire

Before hiring a pro to tackle your home project, there are a few details to iron out. Knowing what exactly you want or need to have done is important, but understanding your project budget and learning how to find the right pro for your job is just as crucial. 

Understand Your Project Needs

Understanding the scope of your home project is the first step before hiring a pro. You might not know all the details yet, but you should be able to provide details on what you want a pro to do. 

• Looking for pest control? Investigate (if it’s safe) what type of pest or critter you need to have removed.

• Considering new carpet installation? Take note of what rooms you’re looking to update. 

• Need a pro for drywall repairs? Inspect and document if you have water damage, large holes, or issues with electrical components beneath the drywall. 

• If you need junk removal, make sure you remove prohibited items and clearly separate the items you’re keeping.

Set Your Budget

Setting a clear budget is crucial before hiring a pro for your home project. You might not have an exact number in mind, and that’s okay. Having a rough estimate of what you want to spend (or can afford) will help give the pro you hire a clear expectation, and you won’t end up with any surprises at the end of your project. To help you along, we have a library of over 1,000 cost guides that provide different cost ranges for many different projects you might encounter. 

If necessary, you can break the project down into multiple phases. Although spreading out project milestones may push out the project's completion date, it may be a better option for your budget to minimize the initial cost. Homeowners can also often save money on a home improvement project by doing small tasks on their own, such as cleaning and painting.

During the Hiring Process

Once you’ve figured out your project's specifics, it’s time to hire the pro for your job. You’ll want to ensure that you and your pro are aligned with the project details, budget, and timeline for project completion before signing any contracts. 

Know Where to Go

No matter how big or small your home improvement project is, you want to make sure that you hire a pro who fits your budget and expectations. Angi’s pro directory can help you narrow down which pro is best for your job and connect you with a local pro. It’s always best to speak with at least three different pros to determine the best one for your job. Of course, the overall cost is important, but other factors like project timelines and past customer reviews are equally notable. 

Communicate Your Goals

During your first conversation with a prospective pro, discuss your goals for the project, from the final result to the small details. You’ll also want to discuss how you can keep in touch regularly throughout the project if it spans more than one day. Hiring for home projects requires trust, so make sure you see eye-to-eye and choose a pro who understands your vision and has the experience the job requires.

Ask Questions

Before committing to one pro for your home project, it’s necessary to ask your pro questions. Questions like how much the project will cost, if they are insured, and if you can speak to references will help develop an overall picture of how your project will turn out.

Understand That Price Often Reflects Quality

Ask your contractor for their recommendations on all project deliverables and timelines and request a written description of the materials necessary for the job. While the lowest bid might sound the easiest for your budget, it’s not always the best option in the long run. An unusually low bid may indicate that a pro uses sub-par materials, cuts corners, or is unlicensed or uninsured.

You can avoid home improvement fraud and get the quality you’re looking for by going with a more accurate project bid somewhere in the middle and requesting past client references to follow up with.

The Final Step

You’ve screened different pros and hired one to complete your home project. You might think that your part of this project is done, but an intelligent homeowner knows there are a few more things to do before the project can go underway. 

Get Your Home Improvement Contract in Writing

Home improvement contractors differ from general contractors because they typically keep work in-house and don’t hire subcontractors.

Your home improvement contract should include:

• Detailed timelines

• Total cost

• Payment arrangements

• Your pros license number

• Project description

• Names of parties involved

• How to handle additional costs, if necessary

Your pro should give you a timeline for the job to be completed. If they don’t, ask for one. This will give you peace of mind throughout the process and ensure everyone is on the same page with their expectations.

Keep Records

Once the project is underway, even if things seem like they're generally going well, keeping a record of the progress (even if it’s a small project) is smart. Doing so gives you certainty in case you need to enforce the contract regarding delays or penalties or, in a worst-case scenario, take the pro to court. You'll also need a record of what's been happening if the pro stops working and breaches your contract.

Keep track of as much as possible, including the following:

• Hours worked

• How much progress is made

• When the pro turns up late or finishes early

• Whether they are on schedule

• Any excess mess or damage the pro causes

• Problems that arise

• Unforeseen delays

Bonus: Know Your Rights and Avoid Scams

If you've done your due diligence, you should already have avoided any potential scammers, but it pays to be careful. Check the contract before you sign so that you're aware of your obligations and what recourse you have if the person you hire breaches the terms of the contract. Know when you can stop payment or call a halt to the work.

Be aware of these telltale signs of a potential scam:

• Asking for full payment up front before work starts

• Insisting cash is the only option for payment

• Offering to waive your insurance deductible

• Attempting to do additional work without adding to the project scope

• Offering a discount instead of producing a valid state license or permit

• Trying to convince you to sign blank papers or hurry you into signing documents without reading