Several months ago, the CDC released an article on safety practices that one should follow to stay healthy and safe while scheduling services or repairs inside the home for 2020, whether it be for the installation or the repair of major home appliances or systems.
But, how exactly does one find contractors for home improvement repairs in the first place? Is it even possible in 2020? Well, the short answer is, yes! It’s definitely possible. The only thing the CDC warns of is to be sure that all the parties involved (including the service provider) are wearing masks, that everyone stays at least 6 feet away from each other, and that any surfaces in the home that are touched by the service provider are disinfected as soon as the job is completed.
This means that, so long as you follow the standard social distancing guidelines, you can get a contractor to work on your home in 2020! Now, all we need to do is break down the ‘how’ with the following 5 simple tips!
1. Ask Your Home Warranty Provider!
Having a home warranty plan is really the best way to fix a lot of your problems, as not only will they pay for the cost of covered home repairs, but home warranty companies also connect you to service contractors in their network.
In fact, suppose one of your appliances has been damaged, and you find out that it is not covered by your home warranty contract. Do you just stop there? No! Even if your home warranty provider will not be able to cover the expenses for you, you can still make use of their excellent network of service providers.
You see, home warranty companies like Total Home Protection specifically seek out only the best and most reputable contractors to join their network. In fact, according to Total Home Protection, the service contractors in their network are all “pre-screened, licensed and insured” they’re also all “monitored and graded on their performance through a customer satisfaction survey program.” So yes, if you’re not already a home warranty policy owner, perhaps you should consider signing up with a company like Total Home Protection! After all, there’s nothing wrong with letting industry experts in the field do what they do best.
2. Look for Online Reviews!
If you’re not a fan of home warranty providers, or you’re planning to hold out for a couple more years before signing up for their services, then the next place to look is online. Most online recommendation services these days verify their user reviews, so there really isn’t all that much risk in believing them.
Although, of course, if you do decide to go with this route, it’s important that you look at multiple online sources. And perhaps, even confirm your top picks by asking around and verifying their reliability with friends and family who might have tried their services before.
3. Ask the Previous Homeowners!
Outside of asking people that you know well; you might also want to reach out to the previous homeowners of your home (if there are any) to narrow down your preferences. This is often better done at the beginning of a home sale, rather than months or years down the line, but if you have a relatively good relationship with the previous homeowner, then all the better!
It should help narrow down your prospects a bit, especially if you would prefer to work with a contractor that has already successfully worked with the home previously.
4. Ask Recommendations from Potential Subcontractors!
Most home contractors have other companies and service providers that they work with (subcontractors.) So, if you have already had a service contractor working on another component or system of your home, then they might be able to give you some recommendations on someone they know that can make other types of repairs!
5. Look for Independent Contractor Networks
Outside of home warranty providers, who as mentioned, have established networks of contractors, you can also reach out to general contractor networks in your area. Networks like these are created to train and authorize independent contractors to guarantee the best and most efficient work possible — not at all unlike what is offered by Total Home Protection.
Just note that, if you go with this route, the fee might be slightly higher than average, as the organization that runs the network will be given a cut of the profit!
Final Thoughts: Home Improvement Repairs in 2020
And so there you go! Hopefully, we were able to help you find a home contractor that will be able to help you get your home back in working order! Stay safe! And make sure to heed the warnings of the CDC when the time comes for your contractor to start working.
