Top Five Things to Know When Hiring a Contractor
When it comes to hiring a contractor for a home renovation or repair, there are key factors customers shouldn’t overlook — especially with complex work like electrical repairs. And while there are many reputable contractors, it can be difficult to know who to trust.
Cheryl McIntire of Oklahoma grappled with this when a contractor she hired abandoned her after accepting $60,000 for repairs on her fire-damaged home. Left without electricity and facing an incomplete project, McIntire reached out to the local news.
On top of hiring someone who failed to offer the transparency and quality of work she deserved, McIntire then lost two brothers and a daughter. The fact that the contractor had stopped answering her calls made everything feel even more overwhelming.
“I can’t grieve my losses because I’m not in my own home,” McIntire said. “And I love my neighborhood.”
Fortunately, she met Kevin Locklear, owner of Tri-L Electric in Norman, Oklahoma — and a City Electric Supply (CES) customer. Locklear confirmed McIntire’s story and contacted CES Tri-City Branch Manager Dru Manek for support. Together, they provided the labor and materials to restore power to her home at no cost to McIntire.
Manek recalls how important this project was. “Kevin’s one of our customers in Oklahoma,” he explained. “When he reached out to me, it was a no-brainer.”
CES supplied the wire, switches, and plates, covering the gamut of residential electrical materials; Locklear provided expert labor, in addition to a series of tips for hiring contractors. He hopes the following insights will help homeowners like McIntire prevent similar issues.
If there’s one non-negotiable in hiring a contractor, it’s making sure the company you hire is properly licensed, bonded, and insured. This is especially important for trades like plumbing, general contracting, and electrical work.
A valid license demonstrates that the contractor has undergone the necessary training, while bonding and insurance protect you from financial loss if something goes wrong during the project.
Locklear also advises using local regulatory bodies to check the contractor’s standing. In Oklahoma, for example, homeowners can use the Construction Industries Board (CIB) to check for past complaints and confirm the validity of a contractor’s license.
“You can go on their website, look at their name, and see if they even have a license, or if that license has been revoked, or if they have any pending citations,” Locklear advised. The goal here is to avoid hiring a contractor with a questionable history.
Homeowners should never rely solely on word-of-mouth recommendations in place of researching a contractor’s previous work. Check their portfolio and read reviews to see whether they’ve completed similar projects to a high standard.
“See what kind of work they’ve done in the past,” said Locklear. “Make sure they’ve got the portfolio that shows that they can handle the work.”
A serious red flag is a contractor asking for full payment up-front. Most reputable contractors only require a deposit — usually 20-50% — to start the project, according to Locklear. Payment should be tied to the satisfactory completion of the work.
“For most of the stuff I do, I don’t require a deposit,” Locklear explained. “We don’t get paid until the work’s done. Don’t ever give anybody your full insurance check before they’ve done any work.”
Locklear recommends that homeowners stay engaged throughout the project by requesting regular progress reports and photos. This helps you to track the work being done and ensure that it’s progressing as expected.
“Always check in,” said Locklear, who stressed the importance of asking the contractor for schedules. “You can have [the contractor] send emails with progress reports and pictures showing what’s been done this week and communicating what’s going to be done next week.”
A clear contract is essential; this formal agreement should outline the scope of work, along with payment terms, schedules, and deadlines. A contract will help you avoid hidden clauses that could put you at a disadvantage.
“Regardless of the length of the contract, make sure you read it thoroughly because there could always be [even a small] hidden agenda that benefits them more than it benefits you,” advised Locklear.
Learn more about our focus on relationships at CES
Thanks to the efforts of Locklear and Manek, McIntire’s home is now on the road to recovery. This wouldn’t have been possible without the strong relationships that have come to define CES. As Locklear notes, trust and genuine relationships are key in the construction and electrical industries.
“It’s extremely important to have people you can trust,” Locklear shared. “Because of the relationship we’ve developed with CES, all their team members know my guys by name.”
For Locklear, working with CES means having a reliable partner who cares about the work that’s done and the people involved at every step.
Manek experienced first-hand this focus on relationships; after his newborn son experienced health challenges, CES didn’t hesitate to give him time off to be with his family. “It truly is a people business,” he stated. “Not just CES, but this industry in general.”
Meanwhile, McIntire says she would recommend CES and Tri-L Electric to anyone. “They’re amazing,” she said about Manek and Locklear. “They’re kind, courteous, and they show you respect. They’re just wonderful people.”
McIntire hasn’t returned to her home just yet, but she will soon — in large part thanks to the contributions of Tri-L Electric and CES Tri-City.