Finding a suitable contractor in Bangkok can be just as difficult as in any other part of the world. Unfortunately, the construction business has a mix of both and bad contractors which can make it frustrating to figure out who to hire. Here are a few tips that will hopefully lead you to a good choice.
Know what needs doing
First, take time to assess the work you want to be done and ascertain what kind of skilled contractor you will need. This way you can be more specific about the kind of talent you are looking for. Avoid generalizations as you may end up with someone that is not specialized enough but still wants the job because it pays. This is common in Thailand where some contractors will overstate their ability and take on jobs they are not qualified for just to botch it up and cause the clients to have to pay another person to fix or start over.
Get referrals
Ask the people within your network of family, friends, and colleagues for referrals. Preferably a contractor that they worked with and performed the same kind of job you are hoping to get done. Their first-hand opinions will likely help reassure you and give you an idea of how you will interact and the quality of work you can expect. If you are an ex-pat, there are online communities where you can make posts seeking the same referrals.
Ask for quotations
Narrow to at least 3 options and ask them to prepare an estimate for you. This should involve interviewing you about the project and visiting the site to take measurements and other assessments. You can judge people on how they interact with you so this can help in making a final decision. Try to gauge their expertise and compare pricing to see whose giving you a reasonable deal. They should also be clear about any use of subcontractors and how this factors into the costs.
Ask for references
Always ask for references. They should be willing to share with your contact information from past clients, especially recent ones that you can talk to. They can tell you more about how they interacted and the quality of workmanship to expect. Make sure you are discussing with recent clients and not old ones. Also, get in touch with the sub-contractors listed to get their opinion of the contractor and the prices quoted. You can also look them up online to see what kind of reviews they are getting. Focus on where independent online reviews are done.