Ask COVID-Safe Contractor Questions

The pandemic is changing the way homeowners interact with home service professionals. But there’s no reason to put home improvement projects on hold—and if it’s an emergency repair, you have no choice but to bring a pro into your home.

The good news is that many of the best practices and protocols that have been recently implemented to protect against COVID-19 also bring major efficiencies to the maintenance and remodeling process. That means they’re likely to continue long after the pandemic subsides, and adds another element you’ll need to evaluate beyond the pro’s skills, budget and reputation.

To help you select the best pro for your project, here are five questions to ask your prospective contractor or service professional to make your next project as safe and seamless as possible.

That’s forced pros to embrace technologies that allow them to safely connect and transact with customers. In fact, 85% of pros surveyed have made at least one major change to customer communications. Take video messaging, which pros can now do right through the Home Advisor app. In a recent ANGI Homeservices-commissioned survey of 1,000 U.S. home service professionals, 41 percent reported using video chat in place of in-person meetings.

Reid Gravitte, president of After Hours Home Improvement LLC in Springfield, VA, explains: “I started doing video calls with clients to see what is going on in their home. It helps me determine if this is something serious or if it can be postponed.”

Of course, pros eventually need to enter the customer’s home to actually do the work, but virtual communication is becoming part of the new normal during the planning phase. Plus, it’s a very convenient way for homeowners to review several prospective pros without the need for initial in-person meetings.

Then there’s digital payments, which have helped to reduce contact during the current pandemic, and are also much easier than going to the bank for cash or writing a check. They’re also a safeguard against con jobs, like the contractor who demands a hefty cash deposit and then is never heard from again.

Look for this question to become every bit as important as things like work quality, punctuality, and professionalism. For starters, homeowners need to be comfortable asking pros if they will wear protective gear.

The truth is, it’s never a bad idea for workers to wear masks on the job site, given the level of dust and toxic fumes. “We have always been known for being super clean, wearing booties and gloves,” says Gravitte. “We are now wearing masks as well.” It’s another example of how pandemic protocols will continue because they just make sense.

Homeowners should also ask pros if they carry their own cleaning supplies, towels, and hand sanitizer. Bring these questions up when you’re checking references with past clients. Did they keep the job site clean and organized? Did they leave tools and hazardous materials lying around?

Here’s another workflow efficiency developed during the pandemic that will be part of the new normal. Let’s say a heating and cooling contractor is coming out to repair your central AC unit. Why not see if they can help with other related projects, like installing a humidifier or clearing out your home’s ventilation system?

As the homeowner, it’s essential to think through these needs ahead of time so that the contractor can schedule accordingly. Pros, meanwhile, should get used to asking the question, “as long as I’ll have the crew in your home, are there any other projects you want us to take care of?”

Even before the pandemic, you wanted a contractor with a tight network of subs, since it’s a good sign that he or she is running a reputable business, keeping workers busy and paying them on time. It’s a red flag when a General Contractor is constantly cycling through new subs.

That’s even more the case today, since you want a contractor who not only knows the quality of a sub’s work but…