Open concept living room and kitchen with natural wood floors, modern furniture, black and white cabinetry, and large windows letting in natural light.
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Free guide for homeowners

Complete hiring checklist for contractors, designers, and other home improvement professionals

Get our step-by-step process for finding, vetting, and hiring the right people for your renovation or home construction project

Tablet displaying a home improvement hiring checklist with a cozy window seat and striped pillow in the background.

Thinking about bringing someone in to work on your home? 

There really is a right way to hire. 

(And no, it’s not Googling “contractor near me” and hoping for the best.)

Whether you’re hiring a contractor, designer, or trade, this free checklist walks you through  what to prep, what to check, and the exact steps to follow — so you’re prepared and in control from the get-go.

Take the guesswork out of hiring with a clear, pro-approved process

Icon of a map with a dotted trail and a location pin.

Have a plan 

Know exactly what steps to take and when to take them — from initial research through contract signing.

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Know what to look for 

Ask the right questions, do your due diligence, and identify the professionals who are the best fit for your project.

Blue icon of a wallet with money inside.

Stay in control

Take the lead by making informed decisions and clearly communicating your needs and expectations from day one.

A tablet and a printed hiring checklist on a round, light-colored table, with a wooden floor in the background. The tablet screen shows the cover of the hiring checklist. The paper shows an inside page with text and checkboxes.

In this free step-by-step guide you’ll learn: 

  • How to set your project priorities and budget before you start looking — so you know exactly what your needs and dealbreakers are

  • Three ways to research and vet construction professionals before you ever contact them

  • The step-by-step process for interviewing contractors, designers, and trades — and what to prepare beforehand

  • The due diligence steps that most homeowners skip — and why they matter

House Confident founder Gerald VanWoudenberg in his custom millwork facility

BUT LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF.

I’m Gerald — custom cabinetry and millwork designer, and House Confident founder.

I've spent over four decades in Vancouver's residential construction industry specializing in high-end custom cabinetry and millwork. (You can check out Van Arbour, my design shop, here.)

In those 40+ years, I've worked with every type of construction professional you can imagine — the excellent ones and the ones you'd never want near your home. I've seen what happens when homeowners don't do their homework before hiring.

You deserve better. 

That’s why I started House Confident: To give you the education, tools and resources to confidently direct your construction project and manage your investment in your home and future.

The difference between a construction horror story and a success story? Hiring the right people. 

Get the pro-approved process for hiring contractors, designers, and trades who respect your priorities and deliver on their promises. 

Download the free Hiring Checklist to get started!