Best Home Improvement and Repair Contractors

Selecting the right contractor for any home project is key. But what exactly should you be looking for when selecting a contractor? Here’s what we suggest considering before choosing a home improvement contractor.

How big is your project?

The type of home improvement contractor you need will depend on the size and scope of your project. Larger jobs may require multiple contractors to complete all aspects of the work, whereas smaller jobs might only require one specialty contractor you can easily manage yourself.

• Large scale: Large scale projects include major home or business renovations or remodeling. They typically last for months at a time and involve hiring a general contractor to manage multiple subcontractors.
• Small scale: Small scale projects usually involve one or two specialty contractors working on a specific repair or remodel. Projects like bathroom remodels might only need a plumber and a tile layer to complete. Smaller projects usually last anywhere from one week to a month.
• Handywork: Any minor repairs or quick renovation projects, including fixing plumbing issues or painting the exterior of your house, might only require you to hire a freelance or independent contractor.

» MORE: Home improvement industry statistics

How credible is your contractor?

A contractor’s credibility should play a significant role when you’re hiring someone for a project.

• Licensing: Licensing is among the most important things to consider when choosing a contractor. To avoid any financial risk, make sure a contractor is properly licensed in the state where they’re working. Specialty contractors should be licensed for their area of expertise, and general contractors should be “B” licensed, meaning they can either perform all types of work needed for one job or hire subcontractors to do specialty work.
• Verification: As a homeowner, you should always ask for a copy of each contractor’s license to verify they are compliant within the state they are working. Ask for references and find out if the contractor is insured in case an accident happens on the job site.

How reputable is your contractor?

Carefully review a contractor’s reputation before finalizing a plan and contract. Whether it's through an online contractor locating company or from a company's website, make sure you read reviews and fact check references.

• Reviews: Reading real customer experiences gives you the most insight into what it’s like to work with a contractor or repair company.
• References: Ask for 3-5 references from the contractor you are interested in working with. Follow up with each one, asking them how their project went from start to finish and if they had any issues.
• Established: Look for an established company that has a long list of projects you can check out.

When checking a contractor’s reputation, you should run a background check and consider previous projects a contractor has completed.

If you’re having trouble finding references or reviews for a contractor you want to work with, you can actually use a company that will find reputable contractors in your area. For example, HomeAdvisor provides this service for customers; a large majority of our reviewers (87% of nearly 22,700 reviews at the time of publishing) give it 5 stars.

Lee from Erie, Pennsylvania, was one of these reviewers, and raved about the service he was set up with: “We reached out for help with our home irrigation system via Angi.com and Austin replied in a matter of hours. After meeting him, we decided on the spot to hire him for our repairs — he was punctual, knowledgable and with a great work ethic! One of the best decisions I've ever made.”

What should you include in the contract?

One of the most important things to work out with a contractor is the contract itself. A contract should outline the scope of the work including project due dates, final pricing and how to handle changes and resolve issues. The contract might take some time to finalize, but it will be your reference point throughout the project. Be as detailed and thorough as possible.

• Payment schedule: The agreed upon contract should be your reference point for how much and when you should pay for completed work. Having payments tied to various due dates within a project ensures the overall job keeps progressing. Try to negotiate a first payment of no more than 10 percent. This ensures the work is being done on schedule without overpaying for only a small portion of the job.
• Start and end dates: Sometimes a contractor won’t specify a start and end date, so think about putting those in writing before the contract is finalized. Delays will most likely happen no matter what, but a target end date will ensure the job stays as close to the agreed upon due date as possible.
• Arbitration options: A lot of construction and remodeling contracts have a section stating who will settle disputes, should they arise. You should both agree on a well-respected national arbitrator like the American Arbitration Association.

What should be communicated upfront?

Communication with your contractor is key during your entire project. Make sure you know the best way to keep in contact by asking if they prefer daily emails, cloud-based calendars or phone calls. Set up weekly check-ins, and walk through your home improvement or renovation project in person to see progress and discuss challenges.

• Change orders: Expect changes to happen during the life of any project. Make sure any change orders are communicated with you first before they are added to the contract.
• Decisions: Have your contractor give you a list of decisions you will need to make throughout the project. Know your deadlines and keep a list of materials you will need ahead of time to keep the project moving with minimal interruption.
• Insurance: Contractors should carry at least a minimum liability policy. If they don’t have any workers compensation in place and something happens on the job, you might be liable.
• Emergencies: Make sure your contractor will be available in case of an emergency. This includes being available after hours should something major come up, like a water or gas leak.

There are several types of contractors you can hire for a project. We’ve broken them down by category and specialization.

General contractor

Depending on how big your renovation project is, you might consider hiring a general contractor to manage the construction site. General contractors will manage all vendors and subcontractors throughout the entirety of a project.

Specialty contractors

If you have a small-scale project that requires one service, such as plumbing or electrical work, consider a specialty contractor. Specialty contractors have a license to perform repairs and installations in a specific field.

Appliance repair contractors

Just like there are specialty contractors that can handle specific home systems, there are technicians who specialize in major appliance repair. If you need your refrigerator, oven, range, washer, dryer or dishwasher fixed, an appliance repair service can send a contractor out to diagnose, repair or remove and install appliances.

Independent/freelance contractor

Independent contractors can enter into a contract to perform services but are not legally considered employees. They work for a specified period of time stated in the contract and are usually paid hourly.

Design/architect contractor

Designers and architects can be contracted to design homes, additions and renovations that involve structural changes. In some cases, you can find a design/build contractor who does both.

» MORE: Landscaping industry statistics

There are many home repair jobs that can be done quickly without a general contractor. Often, a handyman can take care of odd jobs around the house, but when it comes to dealing with your home’s systems and appliances, finding a contractor or licensed repair technician to complete the job is usually the safest choice.

• Home system repair: Ensuring your home’s systems are in proper working condition is critical to the livability and safety of your home. You can hire licensed contractors to repair or replace the heating, air conditioning, plumbing or electrical work in your home. Technicians are often licensed in one specialty, though you can find home service companies that handle more than one system.
• Home appliance repair: Hiring a specialty technician is popular for appliance repair. The lifespan of most major appliances is around 10 years, so it’s likely you’ll need to have a contractor or technician visit your home at some point to repair or replace your refrigerator, stove, washer or dryer. Unless you’re remodeling your kitchen, it’s unlikely you’ll need to hire a general contractor repair or replace an appliance. These jobs are typically straightforward and take only a few hours to complete.

Home warranties cover damage from everyday use of systems and appliances in your home, whereas home insurance covers damage from events like fires or storms.

Home repair cost

The cost of a home repair job varies significantly based on the nature of the problem. For example, the average cost to repair a refrigerator is around $300, while a project like installing central air conditioning often costs $3,000 or more.

Appliance installation costs usually run between $100 and $200, though you can often find deals for free installation when you buy a new appliance.

If you own your home, a home warranty helps offset the cost of major home repairs.

General contractors usually cost anywhere from $300 to $500 per day, depending on:

• Their skill set
• The scope of the work
• Where you live
• The season
• How the contractor structures fees