Modern Mississauga and Marko Furlani of Urbanest Construction have come together to present an ongoing series called “Ask the Contractor.”
Submit your questions to info@modernmississauga.com for Marko to answer.

This week’s question is about how to select the right contractor from Raj P.

How do I select the right contractor?

Deciding to undergo a renovation of any size can be exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time, especially when it comes to selecting your contractor. There are so many companies out there making it very difficult to differentiate the professional and established companies from those not-so reputable. Here are a few questions we recommend asking when selecting a contractor.

 Are they experienced?
You need to hire someone who will be able to complete your job on budget and on time. Ask for client references and review their past projects through their website or social media channels. Ensure they provide proof of liability insurance at a min. of $2M, WSIB and a municipal licence. The absence of any of these can result in fines or work stoppage.

How much will it cost you?
Closely review all quotes and contracts. A contract should include the owners information, site information, clear scope of work, timelines, warranty information and a signature section for ALL parties involved, at the least. Do not leave any aspect of the project open to interpretation or guessing. Find out what is included and what is not to avoid any surprise ‘extras’ at the end of the project.

Who will do the work?
Ask the contractor if their trades are licensed, such as electrical, plumbing and HVAC. These are major aspects of the project and you want to ensure are done properly and to code. 

Do you like them?
This might sound odd and impertinent, but this person and his/her crew will be in and out of your home for months at a time – depending on the size of your project. It is important to work with someone that you trust and that you feel comfortable with. Will you feel comfortable telling them when you aren’t happy with a decision or if you have changed your mind on a particular item? They need to be skilled, but they also need to share your vision for your project.

A good contractor will offer up this information voluntarily, but don’t be afraid to ask.
It might be their job, but it’s your home.

Luckily, there are organizations such as RenoMark who can help assure that the companies you deal with are legitimate and properly vetted, taking some of the guesswork out of the process.

About Marko Furlani:
I am the President and Creative Director of Urbanest Construction, a turnkey Design-Build renovation company in Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area. I’m a proud BILD member and RenoMark contractor.
Along with a desire to create unique and custom living spaces, the team and I pride ourselves on helping our clients to love where they live. I’ve been a contractor in the GTA for over 15 years.
I invite you to connect with me on Instagram @urbanestconstruction or email me marko@urbanestconstruction.com