Choosing a contractor is the highest-stakes hire most families ever make. Price matters, but the cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest build. Here's how we'd vet us — and how you should vet anyone.
Visit a live site, not just finished photos
Finished galleries hide everything. A live site shows the truth: is it fenced and tidy, are edges guarded, does the crew know the plan? Any builder proud of their work will welcome you on site with a hard hat.
Demand a fixed, line-item quote
Vague allowances and "to be confirmed" sums are where budgets go to die. Insist on line items you can compare across bidders, payment tied to completed stages — never large deposits — and a written warranty.
- Three recent references you can call — and do call
- Licence, insurance and warranty in writing
- One named site manager and weekly updates
Red flags: no fixed address, pressure to sign today, cash-only discounts, or reluctance to show a current site. Walk away from any of them.
