Having a patio attached to your home is a wonderful addition. You can never go wrong with additional outdoor living space. Having a patio that meets all your living needs and offers you a homey and comfortable space outside is something anyone can enjoy.
To ensure your patio is everything you imagined and more, you’ll need to hire someone with patio-building experience. Hiring patio contractors isn’t always a simple task, however. There’s a bit of research required on your part to ensure you’ve found a reputable and trustworthy contractor who’ll offer quality work.
How can you begin to go through all your patio contractor options and narrow down your options to the top three picks? In the guide below, you’ll find several factors to consider when searching for patio contractors near you. Continue reading to get started!
- Their Years of Experience
One of the first things you can do to start gathering information about local patio contractors is to conduct an online search for, “patio contractors near me.” Once you do that, you can then begin to narrow down the list, leaving only the top contractors. One of the first things to look for is the years of experience the contractor has.
How many years have they been building patios in your area? A contractor with several years of experience shows that they not only know what they’re doing, but they offer quality services to keep them in business for so long. It’s also nice having someone there with experience who can quickly address and correct any issues that might come up along the way.
- Their License and Insurance
The next step is to look into their license and insurance. A reputable contractor should have all the required licenses and insurance to build patios on residential property.
Why is this so important?
A contractor without a license can’t guarantee quality services. When a contractor has their license, it shows they’re professional and committed to their work. Insurance is also essential for several reasons.
If anything were to happen to you, your property, someone else on your property, or the contractor during the job, who’ll be accountable? The answer is you if the contractor doesn’t have proper insurance. Be sure to ask about their insurance policy and what it covers before bringing them onto your property.
- Their Reviews and References
You can now begin to look at their online customer reviews and references. Start by visiting the contractor’s website. You may be able to find reviews or testimonials there. You can also check their social media pages.
Once you’ve read through these, don’t forget to visit online review sites for more. After reading through all of the reviews, you can then ask the contractor for references. They should be able to provide you with at least two or three references.
Call these numbers and speak with their past clients. Ask any questions you may have to give yourself a better idea of what to expect if you were to hire them.
- The Services They Offer
Now you should look into all the different types of services they offer. What type of patio do you want to build on your property? Will you require stamped concrete, a composite deck, or a fireplace composite deck?
Do you want a custom deck built? There are many factors to consider, including patio covers, pavilions, screens, pergolas, and so much more. Take the time to do your own research and know what you’re looking for. If you’re not too certain, then the contractor can always help you design a beautiful patio, but you want someone who can do what you require of them.
You can find this information on many contractor’s websites but calling and asking is another option.
- Project Videos and Portfolios
Sometimes, the best way to get a good idea of what to expect from a contractor is to look at their past work. What do the final projects look like with past customers? You can use these photos to determine if the contractor’s style is right for you or not.
You can also use the photos to communicate what you like and don’t like with the contractor. Be sure to look on their website for project videos, project photos, a gallery, or a portfolio of some sort. If you can’t find one, then don’t hesitate to ask.
- Their Physical Address
What’s the contractor’s physical address? Why is this important to know? For starters, it’s a good idea to find a contractor local to your area.
This means you’ll have quicker access to them if needed. They will also have experience working in the environment there. Knowing their physical address is also important because it’s a sign that the company is reputable.
Unfortunately, there are contractors out there who’ll claim to be professional but won’t have proper licenses and insurance or a physical address. You should avoid these contractors when possible. If something were to go wrong, or if you needed to contact them for any reason, they can simply pick up and leave with no physical address for you to go to.
- The Professionalism of Their Website
Another helpful way to tell if a contractor is legitimate is by looking at their website. Not every contractor will have an up and running website, but it’s always nice to have one to browse through. This also tells you that they’re serious about their business.
Browsing through a contractor’s website is the ideal opportunity to discover as much information about them as possible. You can learn how many years they’ve been in business, what types of services they offer, how much they charge, and more!
- The Customer Service They Provide
Pay close attention to the customer service they provide as well. How quickly do they respond back to you? Do they have several forms of contact for you to reach them through?
How do they answer your questions? A professional contractor should have multiple ways for you to reach them, including a physical address and phone number. They should also respond to all your emails or questions in a timely manner.
Remember, you’re paying them for an amazing patio addition to your home. You’re going to have concerns and questions. That’s normal.
Find someone who’s willing to work with you and help you through every step of the way.
- Follow-Up Services and Warranties
Once a project is complete, there’s always the chance of something not being exactly right. If the contractor completed your patio a week ago and you’re now finding an error with the construction or other detail, how will they correct it? Before you have a contractor start the project, ask them about follow-up services and warranties.
Will they conduct their own follow-ups? If something wasn’t done correctly, then will they correct it free of charge? What all is covered under the warranty if there’s a warranty at all?
Know the answers to these questions before deciding on which contractor is the right pick for your project.
- Their Costs, Fees, and Payments Transparency
Some of the last things to consider are the costs, fees, and payments. How transparent is the contractor about their prices? Will they display a fair price to you but then hit you with more costs and fees later on?
Read through your contract carefully to determine what fees might accumulate during the project. The contractor should also be transparent with you about these fees. Anyone trying to hide fees or costs from you might not have your best interest in mind.
Once you know what the costs are for several different contractors, you can then begin comparing contractor fees amongst them. Save this step for last, however. You want to narrow your list of contractors down to the top three using the information given above.
Once you have three phenomenal options, you can then compare prices to find the best choice for you.
Are You Ready to Begin Hiring Patio Contractors?
Is a new patio addition to your home calling your name? Having this additional outdoor living space is beneficial for many reasons. With a great patio contractor building it for you, you’re sure to love every inch of it!
Hiring patio contractors who are reputable, reliable, and provide quality work starts here with this very guide. Be sure to read through all the information listed above to help you determine which patio contractor is the right fit for your project.
For more home topics, keep checking back here on a regular basis.