Home improvements are a homeowner’s dream, allowing you to create the ideal living space you’ve always wanted. However, that dream can quickly become a nightmare if you don’t take the time to find the right home improvement company. 

Here we offer a step-by-step guide to finding the best home improvement stores in Toronto with qualified installers backing them up.

Step 1: Consider Location

You want a home improvement company close to your home. The location should also offer a nice-sized showroom where you can browse for hours or find what you need quickly, depending on how you shop. 

It doesn’t have to be fancy; this means they’ve wasted money trying to cater to higher-paying customers. It needs to be well laid out with easy-to-browse displays, helpful staff, and lots of stock to complete your projects on time and within budget. Having more than one location also helps, as they have more buying power and can offer their products at a discount.  

Step 2: Read Their Online Reviews

When you conduct your search, be sure to read online reviews. You want a high star rating and stories about positive experiences, so you can trust that the best home improvement stores in Toronto are the best. Customers know best because they are the ones experiencing the product and services. 

Good old-fashioned word of mouth is the most reliable resource to help you find the best home improvement companies.  

Step 3: Test Out Their Staff

The best home improvement stores in Toronto have helpful staff passionate about home improvement. They have the knowledge to offer advice and recommend the items you need for your projects. They can provide practical advice on the materials required and how to apply them. 

Staff should be unbiased and able to explain the pros and cons of their products. If you are a DIYer, they should be able to provide guidance on avoiding challenges and tell you what additional materials you may need for your installation project. 

Start by checking out their website and see if they have a home improvement blog. Next, call the location to see a) If you can find a live person to talk to and b) Determine how helpful they are. You’ll want to feel confident that the team is ready to help before you take the time to visit their location. 

Step 4: Ask About Qualified Installers

You want to ensure your home improvement company offers qualified installers to handle flooring, stairs, and plumbing. These are the projects that you don’t want to skimp on. You must ensure everything is installed correctly so everything functions properly and looks gorgeous. 

Your ideal home improvement company will provide qualified contractors specializing in expert installations at a reasonable price.

Step 5: Explore Their Experience

You want a company with a track record spanning at least a decade or two. A newer home improvement company won’t have the experience you need for sound advice. 

They also won’t have the connections required in the industry to negotiate the best prices with dependable suppliers, so you’ll miss out on impressive discounts. 

Step 6: Shop the Website

Visit their website and explore their offering. Do they have the items you need? How is the variety? What are their prices? What services do they offer?  

Step 7: Visit the Location

Once you feel confident you’ve created a list of Toronto’s best home improvement stores, it’s time for a visit. This opportunity is where you’ll be able to engage with their team and experience the products they offer firsthand. 

Although they might have an impressive offering online, this is your chance to touch the materials and get a real feel for the quality. 

Step 8: Ask About Stock Availability

Home improvement stock availability has been an issue for a few years now. Supply chain issues can hold up deliveries, and material shortages can crank up the prices to complete your project. 

Make sure they have the stock you need available. A home improvement company with on-site inventory will meet your needs and avoid delays, cancellations, and disappointment. 

Step 9: Watch for Red Flags

There are a few red flags you should watch out for when choosing a home improvement company:

  • Lack of Responsiveness: Whether it is not answering the phone, not returning your emails or calls, or having no one on the floor to help, you want to ensure the home improvement company responds to your needs.
  • Poor Quality: When you visit the store, handle the merchandise and consider how it feels in your hands. If it feels flimsy, shows signs of damage, looks cheap, or has an odd smell, chances are you are handling a product that won’t meet your high standards.
  • No Examples of Past Work: When it comes to installers, being unable to show you samples of past work is a major red flag. Experienced, trustworthy home improvement installers are proud of their work and are happy to show it off.
  • Off Pricing: If a company’s prices are likely lower or too high, you should avoid them.

Step 10: Compare Home Improvement Companies

It’s important to compare apples to apples when making your final choice. Create a checklist or comparison chart based on the following:

  • Location
  • Staff availability and helpfulness
  • Range of products
  • Price
  • Quality of materials and artistry
  • Experience of the contractors
  • Availability of stock
  • Delivery policies and charges
  • Ability to answer your questions precisely and accurately

Use your checklist to compare the home improvement companies and choose the one that checks the most boxes. Your goal is to find the company offering the items you need, with the best prices, and bringing the most value through quality and experience. 

Following these steps should help you find one of Toronto’s best home improvement stores.

For more information on one of the best home improvement stores in Toronto, visit the Cosmaroma website to learn more and find a nearby store.