When repairs to your home have been long-awaited or are urgent in nature, it can be easy to rush into beginning the repair process and choosing a contractor to carry out the necessary work. Unfortunately, this can be a big and sometimes costly mistake.

If you want to avoid the headache that can come with rushing into a repair job, here are some important things to know before hiring a contractor.

Always Check for Proper Insurance and Licenses

Checking to ensure any contractor you are considering hiring is properly insured and licensed is a crucial step. If they are not insured, if there is an issue on the site, the homeowner can be held liable for any damages. Bonding is important as it protects the homeowner from steep costs in case any repairs need to be done to rectify a contractor’s workmanship. Proper licenses must be held by the contractor in accordance with state laws and regulations, also, otherwise any work done may not be approved by the state and/or work may be halted by inspectors.

Be Aware of Any Subcontracting by Your Hired Contractor

This is a step often missed by hiring homeowners. The contractor you hire may use subcontractors to take care of a portion of the required work; this is not uncommon and generally does not present a problem. However, it is important that any subcontractors used by your contractor are properly licensed and insured so that you are not liable for any experienced problems. It’s also recommended that you routinely check in with your contractor on their subcontracting agreements and speak with subcontractors if possible to ensure they are being paid for their time and materials; any unpaid balances can become your responsibility.

Thoroughly Read Over Any Contracts or Agreements

As with any contract, it’s important that you thoroughly read through and understand any and all documentation between you and your contractor before you sign. Make sure that your contract pricing is itemized and that it does not appear to be inflating charges or time required to perform work. Don’t be afraid to ask for detailed timelines to be present in your contract.

Shop Around on Bids

As a general rule of thumb, never accept the first bid offered you. It is usually a good idea to get 3-5 estimates from different contractors so that you can make the selection that will best fit your needs and your budget. This step is also important in order to ensure you select the contractor that will provide the best work.

Check Reviews and Recommendations

Luckily, the internet makes checking reviews and backgrounds on contractors relatively easy. While it can be tempting to rely on a friend or relatives experience with a particular contractor, their experience may not be that of the majority. Be sure to utilize online review sites to gauge the experiences of previous customers and any exceptionally negative or positive experiences that were had. Don’t be afraid to ask any prospective contractor for references, as well; most should be able to easily present a few.

Don’t Ignore Your Instincts

While doing your homework on a contractor you are considering is extremely important, don’t discount any red flags you may notice in your dealings. Watch for how the contractor communicates with you and note any inconsistencies in their behavior or the information they are providing. There’s a chance that an inconsistency you notice may just be a fluke, but it could be a big warning to steer clear; always consider and check out something that doesn’t add up. Ignoring your instincts can sometimes lead to poor decision making in the process.