There are several ways to find a builder – both simpler and more complex ones. Before you start searching for a contractor for your construction work, it is very important to define exactly what you need. For example, painting work includes wall preparation, plastering, spackling, drywall finishing, painting, or wallpapering. Quite often, more complex work is given to builders, but simpler work, such as painting and wallpapering, is done by yourself. Therefore, it is important to clearly define the scope of work that the builder will perform. When finding a quality builder, a pleasant cooperation can continue for a long time.
Friends, acquaintances, relatives…?
Your neighbor Mati or cousin Kalle may seem like a convenient and simple solution for construction work, but unfortunately too often this type of work relationship ends in disputes and financial settlements, especially between relatives or family members. If the contractor lacks previous experience and it is not possible to get feedback on previously completed work, then ultimately someone is likely to be dissatisfied.
Therefore, it is best to hire a professional builder who knows their work and, most importantly, this keeps relationships strictly professional. This way it is possible to ensure work quality and prevent unnecessary disputes with acquaintances or relatives. Also, an experienced contractor usually has the necessary tools and equipment for the job.
Internet search engines or construction platforms?
Depending on the construction work, you can start searching for a contractor using the internet by using a search engine or a construction-specific platform such as Hange.ee. You have certainly noticed that when searching using a search engine, the first pages are usually paid, which means that companies have bought themselves advertising space on the front page.
In contrast, organic websites on the search engine's front page indicate content relevance and traffic. However, appearing on the front page does not mean that you are dealing with a 100% trustworthy company. For this, you must definitely conduct a background check.
Finding a builder using keywords and background checks
Let's select some search terms such as:
- painting work,
- tiling work,
- plastering work, etc.
The more specific your keyword search is, the more likely you are to find a suitable builder. For example, instead of "painting work" you can use "spackling" or whatever more specific work needs to be done. If you wish to find a construction company specifically as the work contractor, it is advisable to add to your search not only the keyword, but also a reference to the desired contractor, such as "painting company", "tiling company", etc.
Before contacting a potential contractor, it is worth conducting a background check. Ideally, the construction company should have its own website with photos of completed work and feedback from numerous clients. A regular search engine (such as Google) works well for background checks. Usually, you will find all the information you need from the first 2-3 pages. Look for red flags – check credit information or some other background check portal. Debts to the state can indicate a lack of responsibility. Large red flags are also feedback from dissatisfied employees and clients.
Read reviews from different platforms if available. However, most web platforms do not allow you to rate previously completed construction work, or there is no way to verify the authenticity of the rating. However, a rating given to work provides clear feedback about what kind of builder and quality you are dealing with.
On Hange.ee construction platform, where people can organize tenders and construction companies can make offers for these works, there are thousands of rated builders. The platform provides ratings specifically for previously completed work, and all ratings are also retroactively verifiable (for example, when the work took place, whether the client was an individual or a company, and how this company's offer differed from other offers).
Additionally, it is possible to familiarize yourself with the financial indicators of construction companies within the platform, meaning that the work client can obtain information about the existence of tax debts as well as the number of employees and the year of establishment without additional searching.
The more reviews and feedback a company has, and the higher the ratings on, for example, Hange.ee construction platform, the greater the probability that you are dealing with an experienced and professional contractor. Even if the construction company is just starting out, you can already count on the first 3-5 reviews.
Although specialization in a particular type of work – such as tiling or painting, etc. – is a good sign, it is not necessarily the main factor. Larger companies often have multiple specialists and can therefore offer a wider range of work.
At the same time, do not be afraid of new construction companies either. Many entrepreneurs have started their own company after years of working as an employee in the same field and actually have very extensive experience. If you are dealing with a starting builder, ask for recommendations and pictures of work completed. Recommendations can be obtained simply by email, and there should be at least 3-5, because initial recommenders are always close friends and acquaintances. Pictures of completed work give you an overview of what to expect.
Find a builder near you! Add your job and get offers – Hange.ee
Social media background check
If you are searching for a builder through a search engine, you should definitely also conduct a social media background check. Enter the builder's name (for example, on Facebook) into the search and in addition to this person's account, you can find posts related to their name from different groups. Some social media groups specifically deal with warning about wanted or people with bad reputations. If you find the builder's name in one of these groups, we recommend carefully considering whether starting cooperation is wise, as this is a strong red flag.
If the contractor has already been invited to the site, it is also possible to determine during a simple conversation whether you are dealing with a competent builder. If most questions remain unanswered, then the necessary experience or skills are likely lacking. Take some time to inquire about the work to be done and ask a few specific questions about materials, time estimates, and of course prices. A good specialist can usually determine both an approximate price on-site and estimate the duration of work completion.
Although it is not very common, you can always trust your gut feeling. If the contractor who came on-site is for some reason unwelcome, does not make a good impression, then you do not have to start working with them.
Get multiple quotes from different contractors
Usually, the price alone does not determine the quality and quality of a product or service, and this is also true in construction. The most expensive quote does not necessarily mean the best quality, and the cheapest quote may end up costing much more in the long run than originally planned. Of course, when making a decision, the price must be taken into account, but in this case it is wise to follow the golden mean. The choice of the right quote is always supported by more thorough background research. In addition, Estonia is quite small and there are enough construction companies to get offers from different contractors for one job.
Know your rights!
If you find a builder that suits your conditions, be sure to sign a contract. Usually, a professional company will send a quote itself, which includes terms related to the work. The contract must definitely include a detailed time limit, meaning the period during which the work will be performed must be defined. Additionally, it should also include the prices of materials needed to perform the work, and it should also show the interim payments for construction work (for example, costs associated with purchasing materials) and other conditions.
Be sure to read the contract carefully, as it sets out the time and financial requirements and conditions under which the builder may, for example, withdraw from the work. Be sure to also read the sections on liability claims and paragraphs about your obligations as a customer/client. You have the right to make your own proposals for contract changes before signing. After signing, according to Estonian law, you usually cannot withdraw from the contract.
Tips for finding a builder
- Define exactly what work, in what scope needs to be done;
- If you use an internet search engine, be sure to conduct a background check on the builder;
- Ask the builder for recommendations and pictures of previously completed work;
- If possible, conduct a background check on social media;
- Assess the builder's professionalism by asking specific questions about the work;
- Get multiple quotes for your construction work;
- If you find a suitable builder, be sure to sign a written contract to avoid future misunderstandings and problems;
- If you are satisfied with the work – leave feedback or a rating!
Hange.ee construction platform – let the builder find you!
On Hange.ee platform, the background check of construction companies is already done for you. Ratings from previous work clients about companies that performed the work are clearly visible. Additionally, it is possible to familiarize yourself with the financial indicators of construction companies that made offers directly within the platform, from tax debts, year of establishment, number of employees to turnover indicators and entries in the business register. This means that there is no need to search for information separately.
From the construction platform, you will therefore find reliable and responsible professionals who have already proven themselves in the past. In addition to the above, it is clear that no company is interested in negative feedback, because this usually makes future work relationships much more difficult.
When looking for a contractor for your construction, renovation, or demolition work, the easiest way is to add the work that needs to be done to the Hange.ee self-service platform and receive offers from different construction companies. Instead of searching for a builder, let the builder find you!
Finally, if you are satisfied with the builder's work, be sure to leave a rating. Ratings left on the Hange.ee platform help both highly experienced professionals and starting construction specialists stand out through previously completed work. This makes finding a good builder easier for all of us who want a trustworthy and quality builder to perform our work. The more transparent the builder's background, the more carefree the cooperation. Happy building!
Article author: Hange.ee
