A contractor is not just someone swinging a hammer.

They are:

• coordinating trades,

• managing timelines,

• overseeing construction execution,

• troubleshooting inevitable site conditions,

• and helping physically bring your vision to life.

And just like selecting an interior designer, this relationship is deeply important. You are going to be communicating with this person consistently. They will be inside your home, inside your daily life, and potentially involved in your project for months or even years depending on scope.

So yes, craftsmanship matters enormously. But communication style, organization, professionalism, and emotional intelligence matter too.

This is probably the biggest piece of advice we give.

The lowest bid is not always the best bid. And the highest bid is not automatically the best either. What matters is understanding:

• what is actually included (Is there a Project Manager on the team or will you have to act as your own?),

• how thorough the contractor is,

• how transparent they are,

• and whether expectations are being clearly communicated from the start.

A bid provided without detail on what is being touched is a red flag.

A quality contractor should be able to walk you through:

• allowances,

• projected timelines,

• exclusions,

• anticipated challenges,

• and how change orders are handled.

Because construction is not just about execution, it’s about management of expectations.

Instagram is wonderful. Portfolios are important.

But what you really want to know is:

• How did the process feel for past clients?

• Was communication consistent?

• Were timelines met?

• Did the site stay organized?

• How were problems handled when they inevitably arose?

Because every project will encounter challenges. That is not the issue. The issue is how those challenges are handled. A contractor’s ability to remain solutions-oriented, communicative, and collaborative with the other professionals on the project under pressure is often more valuable than a perfectly curated feed online. 

That’s why friends, family, the opinions and feedback of people you trust having worked with these individuals prior, is invaluable. If there’s no one that can be recommended to you by someone you know and trust, your designer may have a few individuals in their rolodex that past clients had positive experiences with. Use all of your resources when asking around for contractor contacts.

This is a huge one.

Your contractor and your designer do not need to have identical personalities or aesthetics, but there does need to be mutual respect.

The best projects happen when:

• the contractor respects the design intent,

• the designer respects construction realities,

• and everyone communicates collaboratively.

A contractor should not be constantly trying to redesign the project on site simply because something is unfamiliar to them aesthetically or is perhaps the road less traveled. At the same time, a designer should understand that some details may require adjustment based on construction feasibility or value engineering from a cost perspective. The magic happens when everyone is rowing in the same direction.

Simply, ask contractors you’re interviewing if they’ve worked with a designer before and are they comfortable working with one again.

One of the clearest indicators of how a contractor runs a project is how they handle the small things early on.

Are they:

• responsive?

• clear in communication?

• punctual?

• detailed in estimates?

• organized in documentation?

If communication feels chaotic before contracts are signed, it will likely become more chaotic once construction begins. Pay attention to the experience you’re having from the very beginning. It usually tells you everything you need to know.

This is something people don’t talk about enough. Home renovations are exciting, but they are also deeply personal and often emotionally taxing. You are signing off on hundreds of decisions. ÉYou are investing hard earned money. You are often temporarily living in disruption.

A good contractor understands this. The right contractor helps create steadiness during moments that can otherwise feel overwhelming. A clear plan for path of entry for everyone working on the project during construction. A clear plan for sealing off the area impacted to ensure as minimal disruption as possible to other areas of the home. A clear plan for demo and renovation material staging and trash disposal.

When the right people are at the table from the beginning, the project feels collaborative rather than combative. And that changes everything.

Because ultimately, you are not just hiring someone to renovate your home. You are hiring someone to help bring your future daily life into existence.

Choose accordingly.