December 29th, 2009 by bbergman

Hiring a contractor to handle your log cabin restoration project can be overwhelming, especially if you have never done it before. You’re probably wondering where to start, how to find a qualified professional and what kinds of questions to ask.

An association, group or business that represents restoration professionals is a good place to start. When you call one of these sources, they will ask you for specifics about your cabin such as the size, where it’s located and the condition of the wood.

In order to be able to help and direct you to the right contractor, you will need to know and be able to tell someone if you have structural damage, insect or log rot problems and if this is a repair or restoration project.

In most cases, you will receive a short list of qualified professionals who are experienced to handle your type of job. Remember that even the best source can only provide you with basic information. You will need to do your own research and ask questions to make sure you’re hiring the right company to handle your project.

Here are several questions to ask that will help you determine the right soda blasting company for the job:

• Does the contractor have a portfolio that highlights similar work? You wouldn’t hire a plumber to coordinate your wedding or the pet groomer to mow your lawn. Most contractors have a nice sample of various projects they’ve completed. Make sure your contactor has done this kind of work before.

• Can the contractor provide references to similar jobs completed within the past 12 months? Once you’ve determined that his portfolio is up to par, make sure it’s his portfolio! Call on a few past jobs or references to find out how they would rate your contractor. You might find out that he did a great job but over-bid the project or took three weeks longer to complete the restoration.

• How long will it take to complete the job? No one wants to hire a contractor around Labor Day and have to tiptoe past his work come Christmas! Make sure your contractor gives you a reasonable timeframe and then sticks to it. Ask about potential delays and how those setbacks will be handled. This is especially important if you’re restoring the cabin so you can rent it out as a vacation home or sell it. If time is critical, let your contractor know.

Tomorrow’s Topic: Learn what to expect when your sodablast professional starts the log cabin restoration/repair process.